Page 428 - War Conflict
Moroccan jihadist suspect expelled from Italy
Rome, Sep 17 (IANS/AKI) Italian authorities have deported a 32-year-old Moroccan accused of glorifying the deadly jihadist attacks in Barcelona last year and of calling for other such attacks, the Interior Ministry said on Monday.
HC for CG word on keeping fishermen from crossing IMBL
The Madras High Court Monday directed the Commandant of the Indian Coast Guard or any other competent authority to be present on September 19 to explain the possibilities of alerting Indian fishermen from crossing the international maritime border, particularly that of Sri Lanka. The officer shall explain as to whether there could be any Navy or Coast Guard ship that can provide signal for a two-way communication with Indian fishing boats through transponders, the court said. "The additional director of state fisheries department is directed to submit a detailed technical know-how as to how the fishing boat transponders and towers operate. Besides, a report as to whether fishermen of Nagapattinam to Rameswaram regions can be provided transponders and VHF handsets," a division bench of Justice S Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad said. The bench passed the interim order on a public interest litigation (PIL)moved by Fishermen Care, a fishermen rights organisation, seeking a ...
AAI to prepare proj report for Sri Lanka's Palaly airport
State-owned Airports Authority of India (AAI) will prepare a detailed project report for development of Palaly airport in Sri Lanka. This would be the first project for the AAI in the island nation and "we are trying to get engaged with our neighbours", an AAI official said. In a release issued on Monday, the AAI said it has signed an agreement with External Affairs Ministry for "preparation of a Detailed Project Report for development of Palaly airport in Sri Lanka". Palaly airport is in northern Sri Lanka. The official said all the technical and design aspects would be covered in the DPR, which is expected to be completed in three months time. "The AAI has developed more than 60 airports in metro and non-metro cities in India and now the AAI wants to leverage its expertise to other countries on a bigger scale," the release said. The AAI manages more than 120 airports in different parts of the country.
Police nearing its goal of ending militancy in J&K: DGP
Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbag Singh Monday said the force was "near" its goal of "completely finishing" militancy in the state. On his maiden visit to the winter capital after taking over as the acting DGP early this month, Singh said several successful operations were conducted against militants in the last week referring to the killing of 15 terrorists in five separate operations between September 11 and 15. Jammu and Kashmir police has been fighting militancy for the last so many years and keeping in view our capabilities, we are near our goal of completely finishing militancy in the state, Singh said in his address to the state's police personnel. We are premier stake holders in peace, the DGP said, adding police had the dual responsibility of being the custodian as well as maintainer of peace in the state. Singh complimented the security forces for the successful operation at Kakriyal in Reasi district which resulted in the killing of three Pakistani ...
Fresh proof of Ukraine downing flight MH17: Russia
Russia on Monday claimed it had proof Ukraine was behind the 2014 downing of a passenger aircraft that claimed the lives of all 298 people on board.
People commemorate 100th anniversary of Battle of Haifa at Lotus Temple
Around 300 distinguished guests gathered at the Bahai House of Worship -- popularly known as Lotus Temple -- to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Haifa, according to a press statement issued Monday. The event was jointly organised Sunday by the Bahai community of India, Maharaja Gaj Singhji II of Marwar-Jodhpur and Yaduveer K C Wadiyar of Mysore and distinguished guests included government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, Army officers, members of Parliament and representatives of civil society, it said. President Ram Nath Kovind had sent a message to mark the function in which he remarked that "400 Indian soldiers from the Jodhpur and Mysore Lancers, carrying only swords and lances, braved the advanced artillery and machine guns of the adversaries to liberate the city of Haifa and displayed valour, courage and heroism in the face of seemingly impossible odds". Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his written message to mark the function, conveyed his greetings
Explosive materials recovered in Jharkhand
Security forces on Monday recovered explosive materials during an anti-naxal drive in Lohardaga district of Jharkhand, police said. The combing operation by the CRPF's 158 Battalion and other security forces took place at Dhingur Pani under Pesrar police station. The security personnel recovered 68 pressure cookers, 15 electronic detonators, power gel explosives and sodium nitrate among other things, a police officer said.
Fallen soldier was home following his 18-year-old son's death
"Shoot me if you want to, but don't ask me questions" -- these were the last words of Mukhtar Ahmad Malik, a Territorial Army jawan shot dead by militants in Kashmir on Monday when he had gone home following his son's death, according to officials. Lance Naik Malik's son died on September 15 after battling for life at an Army hospital for four days following an accident. Giving details of the incident, officials said the family was preparing for 'Rasm-e-Chauram' (post-death ritual) when militants barged into the house of 43-year-old Malik at Churat village in the militancy-hit Kulgam district of South Kashmir. According to eyewitnesses, the officials said, militants tracked the movement of his friend and reached the residence and started looking for Malik, who belonged to 162 battalion of Territorial Army. They found him at the first floor of the house and started questioning him about the deployment of the Army. "Shoot me if you want to, but don't ask me questions," those present at .
Taliban attacks kill 27 members of Afghan security forces
The Taliban launched multiple attacks on Afghan checkpoints as well as police and military bases in different parts of the country, killing at least 27 members of the security forces, Afghan officials said Monday. The attacks and the high casualty toll underscore the difficulties Afghan forces face in trying to secure the country on their own. The Afghan forces have struggled to combat both the Taliban and an Islamic State affiliate since the US and NATO formally ended their combat mission in the country in 2014. In western Farah province, attacks began on Sunday night and killed at least 17 members of the security forces. Fared Bakhtawer, head of the provincial council, said the Taliban attacked police checkpoints across the province and around the provincial capital. A group of Taliban fighters first targeted checkpoints in the district of Push Rod, where 10 policemen died. Another attack struck in Bala Buluk district, where seven were killed and at least three others were abducted .
Difficult to measure the threat posed by 'urban naxals', says Rajnath
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said it was difficult to measure the threat posed by 'urban naxals' but stressed that the "challenges" would be faced accordingly. The term 'urban naxals' came into prominence following the arrest of five Left-wing activists in multi-city raids by the Maharashtra police for their alleged Maoist links. Asked how dangerous the threat was from the 'urban naxals', he quipped: You have asked a very difficult question... What will be its parameters and how it could be measured? As per the feedback, there are certain challenges and we will face these challenges, Singh said in his reply to another question on the arrest of the activists in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon violence. The home minister was talking to reporters at the Border Security Force (BSF) headquarters here after inaugurating two pilot projects of high-tech comprehensive integrated border management system (CIBMS) along the International border. The Supreme Court Monday said it .
Toddler killed in mudslide at Thai refugee camp
A two-year-old girl has died and seven others remain missing after a mudslide at a refugee camp in northern Thailand near the Myanmar border, police said Monday. The camp in Mae Hong Son province is home to around 10,000 people from Myanmar's ethnic Karen group, forced to flee a conflict that has festered for decades between rebels and the military. Heavy monsoon rains in the mountains surrounding Mae La Oon camp caused the disaster late on Sunday, Thai Police Colonel Kantapat Netipitchayapong said. "The authorities are still looking for the seven missing," he told AFP, adding that the mudslide wiped out 12 houses. "There are 11 people with minor injuries and a two-year-old girl died," he said. Mae La Oon is just three kilometres from the Thai-Myanmar border, one of the most remote of the numerous refugee camps lining the jungle-covered frontier. Many families have lived in the border camps for decades, victims of a civil war that has rumbled on since Myanmar gained independence ...
Due process concerns over Boko Haram trials: rights group
Nigeria was on Monday urged to ensure that trials of Boko Haram suspects meet international standards, amid concern about due process and prolonged periods of detention. Human Rights Watch warned that failure to do so could even exacerbate the conflict, which has left more than 27,000 dead in northeast Nigeria since 2009. Trials of 1,669 suspects, some of whom had been held for years, began at civilian courts sitting at a remote military base in Niger state last October. The trials were welcomed at the time but there were concerns about justice being seen to be done as proceedings took place behind closed doors with media and the public banned. What information has emerged has come from government statements, although reporters were briefly allowed to observe proceedings in February. HRW's Anietie Ewang said: "Nigeria needs to pursue justice for those responsible for Boko Haram's atrocities and end the prolonged detention of thousands of suspects. "However, to achieve justice and ...
Turkey: Police release 275 airport construction workers
Istanbul's governor says police have released 275 workers a day after hundreds were detained following a protest denouncing poor working conditions at the city's new airport. State-run Anadolu agency quoted governor Vasip Sahin as saying Monday the construction company is trying to improve working conditions. Arzu Cerkezoglu, head of the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey, told The Associated Press that over 500 workers were detained over the weekend, taken from their construction site sleeping quarters. Local media said police used tear gas Friday to break up a protest by workers demanding better conditions, including improved safety. Another 20 were arrested Saturday as they demonstrated in support of the detained workers. The new airport, one of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's major constructions projects, is to open October 29.
S Korea's Moon wants 'heart-to-heart' summit talks with Kim
South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Monday that he will push for "irreversible, permanent peace," and for better dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington, during "heart-to-heart" talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this week. His chief of staff, however, played down the chance that Moon's summit with Kim will produce major progress in nuclear diplomacy. Moon flies to Pyongyang on Tuesday for his third summit of the year with Kim. This one comes as global diplomatic efforts to rid North Korea of its nuclear programme have stalled and questions have been raised about how serious Kim is about following through with his vague commitments to denuclearise. "I aim to have lots of heart-to-heart talks with Chairman Kim Jong Un," Moon said during a meeting with top advisers, according to his office. "What I want to achieve is peace. I mean irreversible, permanent peace that is not shaken by international politics." To achieve such a peace, Moon said he'll focus during the summit on
Israel releases US professor detained in West Bank village
Israel has released an American law professor detained for allegedly trying to block Israeli troops in a West Bank village slated for demolition. The 66-year-old Frank Romano was detained on Friday in the embattled village of Khan al-Ahmar, along with two Palestinian activists. Witnesses said that Romano stood in front of heavy equipment being used to clear barriers that had been set up to slow demolition. Activists said he began a hunger strike while in detention. Gaby Lasky, Romano's lawyer, said a court ordered his release Sunday. She said he was freed early Monday after police decided not to appeal the decision. Upon his release, Romano returned to the village and said: "I can continue the struggle with you." Israel is expected to demolish the village in the coming days.
Taliban attacks kill 10 members of Afghan security
(AP) The Taliban on Monday attacked Afghan police and military bases, killing at least 10 members of the security forces, Afghan officials said. In northwestern Badghis province, five officers were killed, including Abdul Hakim, the police commander of a reserve unit, in an attack that took place near the provincial capital of Qala-i-Now. Jamshid Shahabi, spokesman for the Badghis governor, said around 22 Taliban fighters were killed and 16 others were wounded during the gunbattle there. And in northern Baghlan province, the Taliban launched attacks against a joined army and police base, killing three army and two police officers, said Gen. Ekramuddin Serih, the provincial police chief. Serih said that four other members of the security forces were wounded in the attack, which took place in the Baghlani Markazi district. "The base is under the control of the Afghan security forces now and reinforcements have also been sent to the district," he said. The police chief added that at ...
UP roadways bus conductor robbed of Rs 22,000
An Uttar Pradesh roadways bus conductor has been allegedly robbed by two armed motorcycle-borne persons in Etah district, police said. Santosh was going to his home after getting his bus parked at the Buddh Vihar depot late on Saturday night. The incident took place in Shanti Nagar area, where Rs 22,000, ticket-vending machines and mobile phones were looted by the two miscreants, a police official said. A case has been registered and efforts are on to nab the culprits, Kotwali police station inspector Pankaj Mishra said.
Militants kill soldier in J&K
Militants killed a soldier in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district on Monday, police said.
Territorial Army soldier shot dead
Militants on Monday shot dead a Territorial Army soldier in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. The ultras barged into the house of Mukhtar Ahmad Malik at Churat in Kulgam and shot at him from a close range, a police official said. The official said Malik, a soldier in the Territorial Army, died on the spot. Further details are awaited.
Two killed in IED blast triggered by naxals in Chhattisgarh
Two persons, including a woman, were killed when an improvised explosive device (IED), suspected to have been laid by naxals, went off in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district, police said Monday. The incident took place last Friday in Metagudem village, located around 500 km from here, but it came to light on Sunday when some locals informed the police about it, Superintendent of Police Abhishek Meena told PTI. As per preliminary information, the IED exploded on the village's outskirts, killing two persons on the spot, he said. The identity of the deceased was yet to be ascertained, he said, adding that a police team has been sent to the village to gather details. Maoists have many a times planted IEDs to target security forces deployed in the Bastar region. Such incidents led to deaths of several police personnel, villagers and cattle in the past.