Page 414 - War Conflict
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 ...
Mine kills three children in rebel-held east Ukraine
Three children were killed and another injured Sunday in a landmine blast in rebel-held eastern Ukraine, which remains littered with explosives left behind by the four-year war. The explosion happened in the industrial frontline city of Gorlivka, 30 kilometres north of the rebel area's de facto capital Donetsk, separatist "defence minister" Eduard Basurin told AFP. The wounded child was hospitalised, he added. The blast was the latest incident in a string of deadly explosions to hit the unrecognised Russian-backed republic over the past few weeks. On Saturday, three people were injured in an explosion in Donetsk, including a candidate for the post of the self-proclaimed republic's leader. In August, the head of the Donetsk People's Republic, Alexander Zakharchenko died in a bombing at a cafe in broad daylight. More than 10,000 people have been killed since the rebel insurgency broke out in the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions in April 2014 following Russia's annexation of Crimea ...
Soldier injured in explosion near LoC
A soldier was injured in a landmine explosion on Sunday near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district.
GoC-in-C Northern Command visits Kashmir, reviews operational preparedness of Army
General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GoC-in-C) of the Army's Northern Command, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, Sunday visited Kashmir to review the operational preparedness of the force. Lt Gen Ranbir Singh visited troops deployed in the hinterland in north and central Kashmir today, an Army spokesman said. He said the GoC-in-C Northern Command reviewed the operational preparedness of the force in the Valley. The Army commander complimented all ranks of the force for their unwavering dedication, selfless devotion and high morale, the spokesman said.
Thousands in first big protest against Burkina leader
Thousands of opposition supporters took to the streets of the Burkinabe capital Ouagadougou on Saturday, the first major protest against the leadership of President Roch Marc Christian Kabore. "No to insecurity, terrorism, to corruption, to unemployment," chanted the protesters in the first such march organised by the opposition since the election of President Kabore in November 2015. "We are here because the country is in danger," said opposition leader Zephyrin Diabre, rejoicing in "the very, very strong mobilisation". Burkina Faso, which borders Mali and Niger, has been the scene of deadly jihadist attacks since 2015. The north and east of the country have been the worst hit while central Ouagadougou has been targeted three times in two years, leaving 60 people dead. Eight soldiers were killed by a blast in northern Burkina Faso on Wednesday, in the latest blow to the poor Sahel country. On Sunday, three miners -- a Burkinabe national, an Indian and a South African -- were seized .
Boko Haram has been repelled, Cameroon's leader declares
Cameroon's president says Boko Haram has been defeated in the country, the first such announcement since he declared war on the extremist group four years ago. President Paul Biya spoke during his first visit to the Far North region since 2012 as he campaigned ahead of the October 7 election. The 85-year-old has led Cameroon since 1982 and is likely to win as the fractured opposition has been unable to put forward a strong candidate. Speaking at a rally in Maroua, Biya said he would focus on rebuilding what has been destroyed "now that terrorism has been defeated." Cameroon's Far North has been the target of suicide bombings and other attacks by Boko Haram fighters who spilled over the border from Nigeria. Nearly a quarter-million people have been displaced.
Search on for abducted Bihar bank manager
Police in Bihar on Sunday continued to search for a bank manager who was abducted three days ago.
UN envoy says hard to hold Libya elections in December
The UN envoy to Libya told AFP that it will be difficult to hold elections as hoped on December 10, following a new wave of fighting in the North African nation. "There is still a lot to do. It may not be possible to respect the date of December 10," Ghassan Salame said in an interview. Rival Libyan leaders agreed to a Paris-brokered deal in May to hold a nationwide poll by the end of the year. But Salame said that polls may not be organised before "three or four months". "We can hold elections in the near future, yes. But certainly not now," he added in the interview on Saturday evening at the highly fortified UN mission in Tripoli. Militia clashes in Tripoli's suburbs have left more than 100 people dead since late August. Libya remains divided between the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli and a rival administration in the east that enjoys support from Egypt, Russia and the United Arab Emirates. The GNA was set up under a 2015 UN-brokered deal that raised
BSF trooper shoots self in J&K
A Border Security Force (BSF) trooper shot and killed himself in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, officials said on Sunday.
Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi lauds Indian Air Force
Praising the Indian Air Force for their valour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India will always be 'indebted' to its air warriors.Addressing the nation through the 48th episode of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', the Prime Minister said that the Indian Air Force has time and again protected the nation on various occasions."Be it relief and rescue operation or disaster management nation is indebted to our air warriors for their commendable work. During natural calamity like floods, storms, wildlife fires their spirit to provide relief to countrymen has been exemplary," he said as the Indian Air Force will be celebrating its 86th anniversary on October 8.Underling the number of women in the air defence forces, Prime Minister Modi said that the Indian Air Force has set an example in ensuring gender equality by "opening doors of all its wings to the daughters."He said that India can proudly say that along with men, women power is also contributing equally to .
Modi hails IAF for protecting nation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed the Indian Air Force (IAF) for protecting the nation during wars and for its contribution towards disaster relief operations.
Mann ki Baat: PM Modi hails Indian soldiers for peacekeeping efforts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday emphasised on the importance of 'Parakram Parv' to raise awareness about Indian soldiers' contributions towards maintaining peace.Addressing the nation through his radio programme - 'Mann ki Baat', the Prime Minister said, "Yesterday, 1.25 billion Indians celebrated Parakram Parv. We remembered the 2016 surgical strike when our soldiers gave a befitting reply to those waging a proxy war in the garb of terrorism. The Armed forces organised exhibitions at various places so that the citizens, especially the youth get to know our might and also the capability valour and sacrifices of our soldiers. Parakram Parv reminds the youth of the glorious traditions of our armed forces and inspires us to preserve the unity and integrity of our country.""I attended one such programme in the land of the brave - Jodhpur. It is now clear that our soldiers will give a befitting reply to those who try to disrupt the atmosphere of peace and progress in our country. We
Policeman killed in militant attack in Shopian
A policeman was killed in a militant attack on a police station in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on Sunday, police said. "Terrorists in District Shopian fired indiscriminately on Police Station Shopian. The attack was repulsed by alert jawans," a police spokesman said. He said in this incident, constable Saqib Mir sustained injuries and was evacuated to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. However, the injured jawan succumbed to injuries, the spokesman said. Police have registered a case and investigation has been initiated in the matter, he said.
Policeman killed in J&K militant attack
A policeman was killed on Sunday during a militant attack on a police station in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district, authorities said.
Militants attack police station in Kashmir, cop injured
A policeman was injured critically in a militant attack on a police station in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district Sunday, a police official said. Militants opened indiscriminate fire on the police station in south Kashmir early today, the official said. The injured policeman has been admitted to a hospital in a critical condition, he said. Further details are awaited.
Kerala police arrest racket kingpin after firing warning shot
An alleged kingpin of a money lending racket in Kerala was arrested Saturday by police personnel of that state after they fired a warning shot in the air. His arrest comes after he got himself 'freed' from police custody months ago with the help of his men while being taken to Kerala. He has been allegedly absconding since then. "Kerala police fired one round in the air. It was a warning shot to arrest P Maharajan," a senior police officer told PTI. Maharajan is the main accused in a moneylending racket involving crores of Rupees. He also faced complaints of cheating and charging exorbitant rates of interest. In July, following his arrest, Maharajan was "freed," when he was taken in a vehicle by Kerala police personnel to their state on the Salem-Kochi highway in Tamil Nadu. A gang of his supporters in two vehicles had "freed" him from police custoday and he had made good his escape. According to airport sources, Maharajan will be taken to Kozhikode by an early morning ...