Page 406 - War Conflict
Afghanistan: Drone strikes kill 4 Taliban commanders
As many as four Taliban commanders have been killed in drone strikes conducted by foreign forces in various parts of the Farah province of Afghanistan during the past week.Farah Governor Abdul Basir Salangi confirmed that a Taliban commander - Mullah Bari Jan - who was implicated in at least 300 murders and attacks, was killed in a drone strike in Khak Safid district, Tolo News reported.The Governor further stated that Mullah Hanzala, Mullah Mukhlis and Mullah Abdul Salam, and at least 30 Taliban militants were killed in three different drone strikes in different parts of the province this week.The Taliban has, however, rejected the same.Meanwhile, at least four civilians were killed and a further eight others were wounded in airstrikes conducted in Kandahar province's Maroof district on Thursday.A statement from the governor of the province confirmed that Khogyani and Ishaqzai villages in Maroof district were attacked by the Taliban, which was followed by retaliation from the ...
Russia's hackers long tied to military, secret services
During the Soviet era, the country's top computer scientists and programmers largely worked for the secret services. That practice appears to have resumed under President Vladimir Putin, as Russia faces accusations of waging a global campaign of cyber attacks. Dutch officials on Thursday accused four Russians from the GRU military intelligence agency of attempting to hack into the global chemical weapons watchdog in The Hague. The agency has investigated both the fatal poisoning of Russian former double-agent Sergei Skripal; and an alleged chemical attack by Moscow-allied Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The Baltic states were the first to accuse Moscow of mounting attacks to knock out their sites back in 2007. Estonia said one such attack had put the country's main emergency service phone number out of action for over an hour. Since then, accusations of cyber attacks have continued against Moscow. The Russian hacker group variously known as Fancy Bear, APT 28 and Sofacy has been ...
NC soldier killed by explosive device in Afghanistan
The Pentagon has released the identity of a US soldier killed in Afghanistan. The Defense Department says 23-year-old specialist James A. Slape from Morehead City, North Carolina, died Thursday as a result of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device in Helmand Province. The incident is under investigation. Slape was assigned to the 60th Troop Command of the North Carolina Army National Guard of Washington, North Carolina.
French air strike in Burkina Faso kills rebels: Army
French warplanes killed around 10 rebels in northern Burkina Faso following a deadly raid on a gendarmerie, the Burkinabe military command announced Friday. The French intervention came after heavily armed rebels killed a paramilitary gendarme in an attack at Inata, in the northern Soum province, overnight Wednesday to Thursday, the army said in a statement. Another gendarme was wounded in the attack. In a separate attack Thursday, an improvised explosive device (IED) killed six soldiers on patrol in the east of the country, the statement added. French military command confirmed in a statement that two Mirage 2000 fighters carried out the air strikes after a Reaper drone detected a column of motorbikes leaving the site of the attack. Burkina Faso, which borders Mali and Niger, has been the site of regular jihadist attacks since early 2015, particularly in the north and east of the country, as well in the capital, Ouagadougou. Operation Barkhane, the French anti-terrorist force in the .
Two Palestinians killed in clashes with Israeli army: Gaza ministry
Two Palestinians including a 14-year-old boy were killed by Israeli fire on Friday on the Gaza border, as clashes erupted with security forces during protests, the enclave's health ministry said. Fares Hafez al-Sersawi, 14, and 24-year-old Mahmud Akram Mohammed Abu Samane, both died after being shot in the chest during demonstrations east of Gaza City, ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said. A further 376 people were wounded, including 126 who had been shot, according to health ministry figures. Seven were in a critical condition including a medical volunteer. The Israeli military said around 20,000 Palestinians took part in Friday's protests at numerous points along the Gaza border, continuing a series of demonstrations which began in March. Grenades, explosives and stones were launched at Israeli soldiers posted behind the barrier which separates Gaza from Israel, the military said. Israeli forces responded with live fire and an aircraft also carried out two strikes in Gaza, the ...
Syria rebels, jihadists clash near planned Idlib buffer: Monitor
Fighting erupted on Friday between Turkey-backed rebels and jihadist hardliners in northwest Syria, a monitor and a resident said, near a planned demilitarisation zone. The buffer zone, agreed last month between rebel backer Ankara and government ally Moscow, is meant to separate regime fighters from the myriad rebel and jihadist forces of the Idlib region. On Friday, just days away from the deadline to establish the zone, clashes erupted between rival rebels and jihadists. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said fighting first began between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led by former Al-Qaeda fighters, and Nour al-Din Al-Zinki in the town of Kafr Halab. HTS had reportedly been trying to arrest a local commander present in the town on the western edge of Aleppo province, near the administrative border with Idlib province. "Zinki sent reinforcements to the area, and the clashes expanded to several areas and the National Liberation Front joined in," said Observatory head Rami Abdel ..
India rejects Pak's claims of using chemical weapons on civilians
Rejecting the claims made by Pakistan foreign office about the reported use of chemical weapons by Indian security forces on the civilians, India called the allegations "unfounded."A statement issued by the official spokesperson Raveesh Kumar read: "India has repeatedly stated its complete opposition to the use of chemical weapons by anyone, at anytime, and anywhere in the world. India is an original signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The international community has recognised India's abiding commitment and contribution to the CWC which is the universal multilateral instrument prohibiting the use of chemical weapons."This comes after the Pakistan Foreign Office, in a weekly press briefing alleged that India is using chemical weapons on citizens in Jammu and Kashmir, reported The Nation.Dubbing Pakistan's claim as "false accusations", Kumar said that Islamabad is acting irresponsibly in order to make the international community believe these allegations."It is, ...
Pak's allegation of use of chemical weapons in Kashmir false, malicious: India
India Friday rejected as false Pakistan's allegations of reported use of chemical weapons by Indian security forces in Kashmir, saying "malicious attempts" to deflect international opinion away from terrorism emanating from the neighbouring country will not succeed. India also asserted that Pakistan was acting in a highly "irresponsible manner" with the sole purpose of repeating untruths in the vain hope that the international community will start believing their falsehood. Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal had Thursday alleged that Indian forces reportedly used chemical weapons against Kashmiris. In response to a question by the media regarding the allegations, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "We completely reject allegations made by Pakistan about the reported use of chemical weapons by the Indian security forces against Indian citizens." Such allegations are not new and are totally unfounded, he said. India has repeatedly stated ...
CRPF personnel injured in grenade attack in Tral
A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel sustained minor injury on Friday after terrorists lobbed a grenade on security forces in Tral area of Pulwama district.The injured personnel's condition is stable. He is admitted in a hospital.The area has been cordoned off and search operation is underway to track down the terrorists.More details are awaited.
Security personnel injured in militant attack in Pulwama
A security personnel was injured when militants hurled a grenade towards the forces in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, a police official said. "Militants hurled a grenade towards the security forces in Tral area of Pulwama district in south Kashmir this evening," the police official said. He said a security personnel was injured in the attack. The injured personnel has been admitted to an area hospital, where his condition is stated to be stable.
2002 Gujarat riots: Despite request to CM Modi, Army lost a crucial day waiting for vehicles, says retired Lt. General (Exclusive)
On the intervening night of February 28 and March 1, 2002 when Gujarat was engulfed in flames, Lt. Gen Zameer Uddin Shah, met the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of the then Defence Minister George Fernandes, at 2 am in Ahmedabad and gave him a list of immediate requirements to enable the Army columns to fan out to restore law and order.
CRPF trooper injured in Tral grenade attack
A Central Reserve Police Force trooper was injured on Friday in a grenade attack in south Kashmir's Tral town.
2002 Gujarat riots: Despite request to CM Modi, Army lost a crucial day waiting for vehicles, says Lt. General (Exclusive)
On the intervening night of February 28 and March 1, 2002 when Gujarat was engulfed in flames, Lt. Gen Zameer Uddin Shah, met the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of the then Defence Minister George Fernandes, at 2 am in Ahmedabad and gave him a list of immediate requirements to enable the Army columns to fan out to restore law and order.
Rwandan ex-presidential challenger Rwigara freed on bail
Former Rwandan presidential candidate Diane Rwigara was freed on bail on Friday after more than a year behind bars on charges she has called politically motivated after her outspoken challenge of one of Africa's most prominent leaders. A high court ordered the release of Rwigara and her mother, Adeline, with the condition that they stay in the capital, Kigali. It disagreed with the prosecution's argument that they might flee. "It's a great day for us and we are looking forward for a fair trial ahead," Diane's sister, Anne, told The Associated Press. Diane Rwigara goes back to court on November 7 over charges of forgery and insurrection. She faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the insurrection charge. The US-educated activist, who has spoken critically of President Paul Kagame's human rights record, accused him of stifling dissent after she was barred from running against him last year. Kagame won a third term with more than 98 per cent of the vote. Rwigara had been ...
World leaders applaud joint Nobel Peace Prize winners
World leaders on Friday applauded the work of Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege and Yazidi campaigner Nadia Murad after the two jointly won the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for fighting sexual violence in conflicts around the world. The pair won the award "for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict," the Nobel committee said. "The government congratulates Doctor Denis Mukwege for the very important work he does although there are often disagreements between us... But now, we are satisfied with the Nobel Academy's recognition of the work of a compatriot" -- government spokesman Lambert Mende. The award to Murad was "an honour for all Iraqis who fought terrorism and bigotry" and "recognition for her courage in defending human rights of victims of terror and sexual violence" -- Iraqi President Barham Saleh. "We are full of joy. It's another slap in the face of terrorism... We hope that the Iraqi government will pay more attention to the tragedy that .
Suspect escapes from police custody in J&K
An overground worker of a militant outfit escaped from police custody in Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, following which a manhunt was launched to re-arrest him, police said.
Cong, BJP condemn killing of NC workers in Kashmir
The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday condemned the killing of two National Conference (NC) workers by terrorists in Srinagar. "We strongly condemn the terrorist attack on political workers and killing of two workers of NC in Srinagar," Spokesperson of Jammu and Kashmir BJP, Priya Sethi said. Expressing her condolences, she said her heart goes out to the bereaved families. The Congress too condemned the killings and described the incident as "shocking" and "highly painful". The party also blamed the Central government for "miserably failing" to ensure congenial atmosphere in the valley which has lead to an "extremely volatile" situation. The loss of lives cannot be replaced by anything, the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) spokesperson said in a statement conveying "deepest condolences" to the aggrieved families. Both State and the Centre cannot escape the responsibility of the killings in the valley, the spokesperson said, adding that effective .
Afghan official: 4 civilians killed by 'friendly fire'
An Afghan official says at least four civilians a child and three women were killed by "friendly fire" when the Afghan air force staged an airstrike in southern Kandahar province. Aziz Ahmad Azizi, provincial governor's spokesman, says eight others, including a child and seven women, were wounded in Thursday night's strike, which had targeted Taliban insurgents. Azizi says Taliban fighters attacked villages in Mahrof district but faced strong resistance by police. He said one police was killed and three others wounded. Ten Taliban were killed and eight were wounded in the battle, Azizi said. After that, the insurgents hid in people's houses, leading to civilian casualties in the airstrike. The Taliban have not commented, but the insurgents are active in the district and often target Afghan forces.
J&K Police foil bovine smuggling bid in Kathua
The Jammu and Kashmir Police foiled a bid to smuggle bovines in Kathua district Friday, police said. A police team intercepted an SUV and recovered five bovines being smuggled to the Kashmir Valley from Punjab, they said. The vehicle has been seized and a case registered, they said. The smugglers escaped from spot leaving the vehicle behind.
Brave healer of DR Congo's most horrific wounds
In Democratic Republic of Congo, they call him "Doctor Miracle" for his surgical skill and dedication in helping women overcome the injuries and trauma of sexual abuse and rape. Denis Mukwege is a crusading gynaecologist who has spent more than two decades treating appalling injuries inflicted on women in DRC, whose work was the subject of an acclaimed 2015 film titled: "The Man Who Mends Women." A father to five children, the tireless 63-year-old is an outspoken critic of the abuse of women in war who has repeatedly accused the world of failing to act. The 2018 Nobel Peace Prize co-winner had been repeatedly nominated for his work with gang rape victims from the conflicts that have ravaged his homeland. Mukwege has called on the world to take a tougher line on rape as a weapon of war. "We have been able to draw a red line against chemical weapons, biological weapons and nuclear arms," he told AFP in 2016. "Today we must also draw a red line against rape as a weapon of war," he said, .