Page 42 - War Conflict
PM Modi to visit Sri Lanka in early June: Lankan Prez
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to Colombo on June 9, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena said on Friday. Sirisena, who was here to attend Modi's swearing-in ceremony, told reporters that Sri Lanka was eagerly waiting to welcome the Indian leader. The Sri Lankan President said he has received information that Modi will be travelling to Colombo on June 9 on his return from Maldives. Srisena said it will be a great honour for his government and people of the island nation to receive Modi as it will further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries particularly in areas of trade and commerce. Modi held a bilateral meeting with Sirisena on Friday during which both the leaders noted that terrorism and extremism continue to pose a threat to humanity. They also expressed commitment for closer bilateral cooperation for peace and security in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region, the External Affairs Ministry said. Sri Lanka was hit by a wave of bombings ...
Police: Suicide car bomb hits Afghan capital, kills 4
A car bomb targeting a U.S. convoy exploded early Friday in an eastern Kabul neighbourhood, leaving four Afghan civilians dead and three wounded and lightly wounding four American forces, authorities said. It was the second suicide attack in as many days to rattle the Afghan capital. The suicide bomber struck as the convoy passed through Kabul's eastern Yakatot neighborhood, where US and NATO forces maintain complexes. Facilities operated by the Afghan National Security Forces located nearby. Firdous Faramaz, Kabul police chief spokesman, said four Afghan civilians were killed and three wounded in the attack. Bob Purtiman, public affairs officer with the U.S. military in Kabul, said four U.S. service members received minor injuries. The one-line statement did not elaborate. In a telephone interview, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid took responsibility for Friday's attack on the US convoy in Kabul, claiming 10 U.S. soldiers were killed. Taliban claims are often ...
Four militants, 'active associate' killed in encounters in J-K
Four militants and an "active associate" were killed Friday in two encounters with security forces in Shopian and Pulwama districts of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. Two Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militants and their "active associate", who was missing since Thursday and "was part of the militant group, were Friday killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district, police said. Earlier, a police official said he was an "active associate" of the group. "On credible input, a cordon and search operation was launched by police and security forces in Sugan area of south Kashmir. Pertinently, the encounter site was located in orchards with no habitation nearby," the police spokesperson said. He said during the search operation, the hiding militants fired at the search party of the forces. The fire was retaliated leading to an encounter, he said. In the ensuing encounter, two listed militants along with the other one who was part of the group were killed, he ...
Five militants killed, two policemen injured in Kashmir (Third Lead)
Five militants were killed and two policemen injured on Friday in three gunfights in Jammu and Kashmir.
No report that terrorists involved in Easter bombings had travelled to India: Lankan Prez
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday said he has not received any report that the suicide bombers involved in the Easter Sunday terror attacks had travelled to India. Sirisena also said a clear report about a possible terror attack was sent by Indian intelligence agencies to their Sri Lankan counterparts 17 days prior to the April 21 bombings but he was not informed about it. "Had I known about a possible attack, I would have taken necessary steps to prevent it," Sirisena said during a media interaction. He was here to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony. Sri Lanka was hit by a wave of bombings on Easter Sunday in which over 250 people were killed. "A clear report had been sent by Indian intelligence to the state intelligence agencies of Sri Lanka about the possibility of an attack. The Indian government sent the information on April 4," he said. Sirisena said he left for a foreign trip on April 16 and till then he was not informed about the ...
Three terrorists killed in J-K's Shopian
Three terrorists were neutralised by security forces in Dragad Sugan area of Shopian district, Indian Army's Northern Command said in a tweet on Friday."#IndianArmy #OpDragad (Shopian). Three terrorists killed. Weapons and warlike stores recovered in joint operation," the Northern Command said in its tweet.The identities of the slain terrorists are yet to be ascertained.This comes a day after two terrorists were killed in an encounter in Dangerpora area of Sopore district of the state. Incriminating material including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of the encounter.
Two SPOs injured in gunbattle with militants in J-K's Kishtwar
A gunbattle broke out between militants and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district Friday, in which two special police officers (SPOs) were injured, officials said. However, the militants managed to escape from the cordon, they said. On a specific input about movement of militants in Appan area of Marwah belt, a team of Special Operation Group (SOG) and district police reached the location on Thursday night, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu Zone, M K Sinha told PTI. While the police team was on its job to close in, some unidentified militants fired at them near Faizi Bridge on Friday, he said, adding that the police retaliated. In the gunbattle, two SPOs -- Mohd Iqbal and Ashiq Hussain -- sustained bullet injuries, Sinha said. "Both are being evacuated. The Army and police are searching the area to nab the militants", the IGP said. Sinha said operation is underway and reinforcements of the SOG and the Army have been sent to neutralise the militants. The ...
Former Afghan leader mistakenly claims new Taliban truce
Confusion mixed with despair in Afghanistan Friday after former president Hamid Karzai mistakenly declared that the Taliban had announced a new ceasefire in the war-torn country. The Taliban were quick to dismiss reports of the truce minutes after Karzai made the announcement on Facebook, saying the former president appeared to be referring to a message about last year's Eid holiday ceasefire. "It is hoped that media and social media users do not become victims of (this) mistake," said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. Many Afghans -- exhausted by decades of war and violence -- have pinned their hopes on another truce for the next week's Eif holiday, marking the end of Ramadan. Karzai's announcement unleashed a brief spell of confusion across the country, with media outlets firing off tweets and breaking news reports announcing the alleged truce. "Former Afghan president shame on you for posting baseless news," wrote Facebook user Amanullah Kamran. "You are making fun of yourself .
Officer suffers gunshot injury in Ladakh
An officer of the security forces deployed in the Pratap pur sector got injured after suffering a gunshot here on Friday."An officer deployed in the Pratappur sector suffered gun-shot wound at around 1050 hours today," said police.The injured officer was immediately taken to the nearby military hospital and is presently under treatment, police said.Further details of the incident are yet to be ascertained.
Modi's first decision- Hike in scholarships for wards of armed forces personnel
In his first decision after assuming office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday approved a hike in scholarship given to widows and wards of deceased or ex-service personnel of armed and paramilitary forces from the National Defence Fund and extended its ambit to include wards of state police officials martyred in terror or Maoist attacks. The rates of scholarship have been increased from Rs. 2000 per month to Rs. 2500 per month for boys and from Rs. 2250 per month to Rs. 3000 per month for girls, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement. "The ambit of the Scholarship Scheme is extended to the wards of state police officials who are/were martyred during terror/naxal attacks," it said. As many 500 individuals will be able to avail the quota for state police officials every year. "Our government's first decision dedicated to those who protect India. Major changes approved in PM's Scholarship Scheme under the National Defence Fund including enhanced scholarships for wards of
Month after deadly Easter attacks, Sirisena calls for collective action against terror
Over a month after the deadly Easter Sunday attacks claimed more than 250 lives in Sri Lanka, President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday called upon all countries across the world to come together to fight and defeat the menace of terrorism."Terrorism takes place in many forms all over the world. Some countries have domestic terrorists. Political and religious extremists organise extreme activities all over the world. No matter how international terrorism takes place, it affects all," he told reporters here.The Sri Lankan leader said, "All the countries of the world must join hands against terrorism. Whether they are powerful nations or small nations, all must get together against terrorism. It is only then will we able to defeat it," he said.Asked about the controversy over he not being informed about a possible terror attack in Sri Lanka, Sirisena said, "A clear report was sent by Indian intelligence agencies about a possible attack. On April 4, the information was passed and letters .
Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants, 'active associate' killed in encounter in J-K's Shopian
Two Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militants and their "active associate" were Friday killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district, police said. A police spokesperson said the third person killed in the encounter was missing since Thursday afternoon and "was part of the militant group". Earlier, a police official said he was an "active associate" of the group. "On credible input, a cordon and search operation was launched by police and security forces in Sugan area of south Kashmir. Pertinently, the encounter site was located in orchards with no habitation nearby," the police spokesperson said. He said during the search operation, the hiding militants fired at the search party of the forces. The fire was retaliated leading to an encounter, he said. In the ensuing encounter, two listed militants along with the other one who was part of the group were killed, he said. The bodies were retrieved from the site of the encounter and handed over to the legal ...
Modi goverment ups scholarships given under National Defence Fund
In its first decision of its second tenure, Narendra Modi government has enhanced the amount to be paid as part of 'Prime Ministers Scholarship Scheme' under the National Defence Fund.
Filipino insurgents kill Dutch hostage
A Dutch national taken hostage by the Abu Sayyaf terror group in the Philippines was shot dead on Friday after he tried to escape after over seven years in captivity.
J-K: 2 policemen injured in encounter
Two policemen were injured on Friday in an encounter between security forces and terrorists in Marwah area of Kishtwar here.The area has been cordoned off as the exchange of fire is currently underway.A search operation has been initiated by security forces in the area.This comes hours after two terrorists were neutralised by security forces in Dragad Sugan area of Shopian district of the state. The identities of the slain terrorists are yet to be ascertained.
Three militants killed in Kashmir
Three militants were killed and two policemen injured on Friday in two gunfights in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian and Kishtwar districts.
5 killed in Kabul suicide bombing
At least five people were killed and seven injured on Friday when a car bomb targeting a convoy of foreign troops exploded in Kabul, Afghan officials said.
Gunbattle breaks out between militants and security forces in Kishtwar, 2 cops injured
A gunbattle broke out between militants and security forces in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, in which two policemen were injured, officials said. On information about the presence of some militants, an operation was launched in Marwah belt of the district, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu Zone, M K Sinha told PTI. As a police team was closing in, it came under heavy fire from the militants, resulting in an exchange of fire, he said. In the gunbattle, two policemen have been injured, he said. He said reinforcement has been sent to the area and the operation is going on, he said. The officials said two to three militants are believed to be holed up the area.
Illegal arms, fake notes racket busted in Kolkata
The Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata Police on Friday arrested three men and seized fake Indian currency notes of the face value of Rs 1 lakh and recovered 48 semi-finished improvised firearms.
Dutch hostage held by Filipino militants killed in gubattle
Philippine military officials say a long-held Dutch hostage has been shot and killed by his Abu Sayyaf captors when he tried to escape during a gunbattle in southern jungles. Military commander Brig. Gen. Divino Pabayo Jr. says Dutch bird watcher Ewold Horn was fatally shot on Friday while trying to escape during a gunbattle between the militants and army troops in the jungles of Sulu province's mountainous Patikul town. At least six militants were killed in the firefight. Horn, a Swiss friend and a Filipino companion were abducted by gunmen during a birdwatching trip in Tawi Tawi province, near Sulu, in 2012. Horn's Filipino companion managed to escape shortly after their abduction while Swiss captive Lorenzo Vinciguerre dashed to freedom years later. The military says it recovered Horn's body.