Page 412 - War Conflict
Miscreants loot Rs 6 lakh from retired policeman
Miscreants looted Rs 6 lakh from a retired policeman in Bihar's Rohtas district Monday, police said. Dehri-On-Sone police station SHO Dharmendra Kumar said the incident occurred when retired havildar Baban Singh was going to Sasaram, the headquarters town of Rohtas district, after withdrawing Rs 6 lakh from a bank branch in Dehri town. As soon as Singh came out of the bank branch, two bike borne miscreants suddenly appeared from nowhere and pushed Singh who fell on the ground and decamped with the bag containing cash of Rs 6 lakh. Singh, a resident of Rajpur village under Husainabad police station, has lodged an FIR in this regard, the SHO said adding that police are trying to identify the miscreants on the basis of CCTV footage.
Naxalite carrying Rs 50,000 reward on his head arrested
Security forces arrested a Maoist, carrying a reward of Rs 50,000 on his head, in Bihar's Rohtas district, a senior police officer said Monday. Superintendent of Police, Satyaveer Singh said the naxalite Rajesh Sharma alias Toofan, was wanted in a case of loot and killing that took place 10 years ago. The police seized two country made pistols, two live cartridges and a mobile phone from the arrested naxalite who was the mastermind of loot and murder incidents that took place in the district, the SP said adding that the naxalite was carrying a reward of Rs 50,000 on his head. Toofan was also wanted in several cases of naxal related incidents lodged at Nasriganj, Rajpur, Akodhigola, Karagahar and Nauhatta police stations, the SP added.
16 rifles recovered from Maoist den in Jharkhand
Sixteen rifles, including two looted from security personnel, were recovered by the Jharkhand Police in state's Latehar district on Monday.
CPI-M slams withdrawal of cases against Bhide
The CPI(M) on Monday criticised the withdrawal of certain cases against Sambhaji Bhide, who is also a suspect in the recent Bhima-Koregaon violence, alleging it has exposed BJP's "anti-Dalit" stand. The Maharashtra Police withdrew old rioting cases against the right-wing leader, six months before the violence in Koregaon-Bhima near Pune, response to an RTI query has revealed. The cases were filed against Bhide in 2008 and 2009 in Sangli in western Maharashtra, it said. A senior police official, however, said Monday the charges against the 85-year-old in the Koregaon-Bhima violence case have not been dropped. Bhide, a former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activist who heads Shiv Pratishthan Hindustan, is an accused in the January 1 Bhima-Koregaon caste violence case. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) reiterated its demand that the culprits who indulged in violence in the Bhima-Koregaon incidents be brought to justice. "The BJP government in the state has also withdrawn cases ...
Diligent service by Assam police wins trust of people: CM
Assam Police has been able to win the trust of the people by providing diligent service in the recent period, said Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday. The state government is also taking steps to modernise the police force, Sonowal said while speaking at the Assam Police Day 2018 programme here. Assam Police should aim for becoming the best police force in the country, Sonowal said after honouring 16 police personnel with Chief Minister's Medal for their outstanding performance. "Assam Police has been able to win the trust of the people of the state by providing diligent service in the recent period and a sense of security and peace is prevailing across the state," he said. Stating that the state government is taking a lot of steps to modernise Assam Police, Sonowal said the mentality of the policemen must also be changed, which should be suitable for a modern police force. The 'Cyberdome' is set up in the state to tackle cyber crimes and a lot of other ...
Deadline passes, Palestinians brace for West Bank demolition
Palestinians residents of a West Bank hamlet braced on Monday for an Israeli court-ordered demolition of their homes as activists arrived to help them resist in case Israeli troops moved in to evict them. Many spent the night sleeping in a school courtyard or keeping vigil as the Israeli-imposed midnight deadline passed for Khan al-Ahmar's residents to evacuate on their own or face forced removal and the demolition of their homes. However, it was unlikely this would happen at least before the end of a Jewish holiday at sundown Monday. Israel says the encampment of corrugated shacks outside an Israeli settlement was illegally built and in an unsafe location near a major highway. It has offered to resettle residents a few miles away in what it says are improved conditions with connections to water, electricity and sewage treatment they currently lack. But critics say it's impossible for Palestinians to get building permits and the demolition plan is against the residents' will and ...
Centre doing all to curb Maoism, terrorism: Rajnath
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said the Centre is taking steps to curb all possible national security threats, including Maoism and terrorism, and assured the states of Central forces' help whenever they require.
AFSPA lifted from many states: Home Secy Rajiv Gauba
Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba on Monday asserted that after due review of the security scenarios, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has been lifted from many parts of the country.Addressing at the International Human Rights Conclave, organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Gauba revealed that the decision was taken after improvement was witnessed in the security scenario."We have been reviewing the AFSPA in various parts of the country and in response to the improvement in security scenario, it has been lifted from many states and many parts of other states," he said.Gauba also stated that the government has also taken steps to mainstream training pertaining to human rights in officers' courses.The Home Secretary asserted that in a bid to protect human rights the ground realities of internal security should not be forgotten. "In an endeavour to protect human rights, one must not lose sight of the stark ground realities of the internal security scenario ..
SPO who decamped with weapons joins Hizbul Mujahideen
The special police officer (SPO), who deserted the force and decamped with eight weapons from the official residence of a PDP MLA here, has joined Hizbul Mujahideen as his photographs with the top commanders of the militant outfit have gone viral on social media. A police official said they have taken cognizance of the photographs but refused to comment any further on the issue. SPO Adil Bashir fled with seven AK rifles and a pistol from the residence of PDP legislator Aijaz Ahmad Mir from Jawahar Nagar area of the city here in Srinagar on Friday. Bashir's pictures posing with two guns along with four militants of Hizbul Mujahideen, including the outfit's top commander in the valley Zeenat-ul-Islam, have gone viral on social networking sites. The photograph has been taken in an orchard at an undisclosed location. Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh Saturday said the SPO was in touch with militants before looting the weapons and police had got some leads over the connections
Man shot dead in Taimoor Nagar, protests break out in area
A 34-year-old man was shot dead by two unidentified assailants in southeast Delhi's Taimoor Nagar on Sunday, triggering protests in the area, the police said. Locals burnt two motorcycles and pelted stones at the police personnel who were trying to manage the crowd. A policeman was injured in the stone pelting and is currently in hospital, they added. Other policemen sustained minor injuries in the protests. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Chinmoy Biswal said, Rupesh was injured in firing by two unknown men who were passing by his house.He succumbed to injuries later at the hospital. However, locals alleged that Rupesh was shot at by two men, suspected to be linked to drug peddlers. His family claimed that he had opposed the sale of drugs in the area and that is why he was attacked, they added. Locals staged protests and accused the police of being hand in glove with the accused. Police said the situation has now been brought under control.
BSF jawan kills colleague in Ghaziabad camp
A BSF jawan Monday allegedly shot dead his colleague at a camp here, officials said. Constable Ajit fatally shot his batchmate Jagpreet from his INSAS rifle at about 6 am at a temporary camp on the Link road area here. Both the jawans belong to the 95th battalion of the border guarding force based in Gurgaon and were deployed as part of a unit to aid the Ghaziabad Police in law and order duties, they said. The exact reason as to why and how the alleged fratricide incident took place is being ascertained even as the Border Security Force has ordered an inquiry into the incident, they said. It is suspected that the two jawans, who joined the paramilitary force in 2012, had an argument in the morning after which Ajit allegedly pulled the trigger, the officials added. Senior officials of the BSF and police have reached the spot and a probe is on, they added.
SPO who decamped with weapons joins Hizbul Mujahideen
An Special Police Officer (SPO) who decamped with eight firearms last week, has joined the Hizbul Mujahideen terror outfit, police said on Monday
NATO chief hails 'historic opportunity' of Macedonia name
NATO head Jens Stoltenberg hailed the overwhelming support for Macedonia to rename its country in Sunday's referendum, seeing it as a historic chance to end a decades-long spat with Greece. "I urge all political leaders and parties to engage constructively and responsibly to seize this historic opportunity," Stoltenberg said on his twitter account. "NATO's door is open," he added, with the name change seen as a major step to clearing the way for Macedonia's membership to the western military alliance. Stoltenberg insisted however that NATO accession could only be engaged once all "national procedures" had been completed, which includes the name change winning a two-thirds majority vote in the Macedonian parliament. Sunday's referendum however was marred by a low turnout, with only a third of the electorate voting. NATO in July invited Macedonia to start talks to join the alliance after Skopje reached the deal with Greece. Stoltenberg had said at the time Macedonia would be able to ...
NATO welcomes Macedonia referendum 'yes vote'|
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has welcomed the results of the referendum conducted on Sunday to change Macedonia's name to Northern Macedonia and thereby opening the door to NATO and European Union (EU) membership.NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Sunday took to Twitter to support the results, writing, "I welcome the yes vote in the referendum. I urge all political leaders & parties to engage constructively & responsibly to seize this historic opportunity. #NATO's door is open, but all national procedures have to be completed."The turnout stood at 34 percent, based on data from 85 percent of polling stations. The referendum result will be valid if turnout of eligible voters is over 50 percent.Result showed 91.3 percent of voters approving the name change referendum, based on data from more than 97 percent of polling stations. However, turnout stood at just 36.8 percent. The referendum result will be valid if turnout of eligible voters is over 50 ...
Low voter turnout for Macedonia name change referendum
Fewer voters turned up to cast their vote in the referendum held in Macedonia on Sunday to change its name to North Macedonia and thereby paving the way for the European Union and NATO membership.Even though the government had encouraged massive participation of people, the turned out was very low, reported ABC News.Election officials reported that as of 6:30 p.m., half an hour before polls closed, the turnout stood at 34 percent, based on data from 85 percent of polling stations. The referendum result will be valid if turnout of eligible voters is over 50 percent.Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev announced the polling a "success for democracy and for a European Macedonia."Aiming at the Opposition that boycotted the voting, Zaev said that the former should respect the results and in case of any friction, he will call for elections.Since 1991, Skopje and Athens had been at the loggerheads over the former Yugoslav republic's name, arguing that the name Macedonia opened way for ...
US warship sails near South China Sea area claimed by Beijing: Pentagon
An American warship has sailed through waters off the contested Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, in the latest implicit challenge to Beijing's sweeping territorial claims in the region, the Pentagon said Sunday. "Guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur conducted a freedom of navigation operation," an official told AFP. "Decatur sailed within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson reefs in the Spratly Islands." The official said all US military operations in the area "are designed in accordance with international law and demonstrate that the United States will fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows." The 12-mile distance is commonly accepted as constituting the territorial waters of a landmass. Beijing claims all of the Spratly chain. There was no immediate reaction from China, but a similar US operation in July, involving the disputed Paracel islands, prompted a furious Beijing to deploy military vessels and fighter jets. The Paracels, north of the Spratly ...
1 killed, 2 injured in clash in West Bengal
One person was killed and two others received bullet injuries after a clash broke out between two groups in South 24 Parganas district on Sunday, police said. The incident happened at Canning bus stand under the jurisdiction of Canning police station. Trouble began after the two groups, belonging to the same party, clashed at a rally organised by its youth wing, a police officer said. Shots were fired during the clash and 18-year-old Mizanur Rehman Sardar was killed on the spot, the officer said, adding, two other persons also suffered bullet injuries. They have been admitted to Canning sub-divisional hospital, he said.
Boko Haram commander killed over 'planned surrender'
A Boko Haram commander was killed by his comrades over his alleged plan to surrender and handover hundreds of hostages to the Nigerian military, two sources told AFP Sunday. Ali Gaga was shot and killed on Thursday by other commanders in the IS-affiliated faction of Boko Haram after they uncovered his plan to surrender to Nigerian troops fighting the jihadist group in the Lake Chad region. Gaga had arranged to rescue 300 hostages being held by the Islamists and hand them over to troops before turning himself in. His death comes after the group's de facto leader Mamman Nur was killed by radical lieutenants who accused him of betrayal and back channel peace talks with authorities, sparking fears of a hardline takeover in Boko Haram. "The new leadership of the faction got to know of his plans and executed him," said one source about Gaga, speaking on condition of anonymity. Gaga was forced to join the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in 2015 after the group seized his herd of .
Top Army commander takes stock of situation in valley
General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GoC-in-C) of the Army's Northern Command Lt Gen Ranbir Singh visited the Kashmir valley on Sunday to review the prevailing security situation in the wake of recent counter-militancy operations which have to the elimination of several terrorists, an official said. Lt Gen Singh also reviewed the operational preparedness of the force in the hinterland of the valley. "The northern Army commander arrived in the Kashmir valley today to review the prevailing security situation in the wake of recent counter terrorist operations which led to elimination of many terrorists," Srinagar-based defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said here. Singh, accompanied by Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen A K Bhatt, visited the hinterland formations in north and central Kashmir and was briefed by the commanders on ground about the current situation, he said. The spokesman said the GoC-in-C of the Army's Northern Command reviewed the operational preparedness of the force in the .
Lt-Gen Asim Munir set to be Pak's new ISI chief: report
Lt Gen Asim Munir is expected to be the new chief of Pakistan's powerful spy agency ISI after its current boss, Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar, retires on Monday, according to a media report. The Army Promotion Board headed by Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa approved the promotions of six generals in place of five generals who are retiring on Monday. According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the promoted officers are: Maj Gen Nadeem Zaki Manj, Vice Chief of General Staff Maj Gen Shaheen Mazhar, ISI DG (Planning) Maj Gen Abdul Aziz, Military Intelligence Director General Maj Gen Asim Munir, Maj Gen Syed Muhammad Adnan and Frontier Corps IG Maj Gen Waseem Ashraf. It is highly expected that Lt Gen Munir would be appointed as the Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), The News reported. Lt Gen Mukhtar assumed the office of ISI director general in December, 2016. The new ISI chief will be appointed by Prime Minister Imran Khan, The Express Tribune ...