Page 442 - War Conflict
Kurds say 18 dead in clashes with Syria regime forces
Syrian Kurdish forces said they clashed with regime fighters in the divided northeastern city of Qamishli on Saturday, leading to the deaths of 18 combatants. The rare flare-up in the Kurdish-majority city near the Turkish border saw 11 regime fighters and seven Kurds killed, the Kurdish security forces said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, reported the same death toll.
Civilian shot dead by militants in Sopore
Militants Saturday shot dead a civilian in Sopore township of Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. Militants fired upon the civilian in Bomai area of Sopore this afternoon, a police official said. He said the civilian - Hakim-ur-Rehman, a resident of Reshipora Bomai - received critical bullet injuries in the attack. The injured was evacuated to the nearby hospital for medical attention where he succumbed to injuries, the official said. Police have registered a case in this regard and investigation in the instant matter has been initiated, he said.
Death toll in Iraq's Basra protests climbs to 12
At least 12 people have been killed in several days of protests over the lack of public services in Iraq's southern city of Basra, the health ministry said on Saturday. Basra has seen a surge in protests since Tuesday, with demonstrators torching the Iranian consulate, government buildings as well as offices of political parties and militias considered close to Tehran. The anger flared after the hospitalisation of 30,000 people who had drunk polluted water, in a city where residents have complained of water and electricity shortages, corruption and a lack of jobs. The health ministry said 12 people had been killed since Tuesday and 50 -- 48 civilians and two policemen -- injured. It did not give the circumstances of the deaths. Medical sources in Basra said two protesters had died on Friday night. The Iraqi parliament is expected to hold an emergency session later on Saturday to discuss the crisis in public services that has stoked the unrest.
Official: Katyusha rockets fired at Basra airport in Iraq
Unknown assailants fired three Katyusha rockets at Iraq's Basra airport Saturday, an airport official said, after a chaotic and violent night that saw hundreds of protesters burning tires on main streets and highways and setting ablaze the Iranian consulate in the city. The protests in Basra are the most serious to shake Iraq's oil-rich southern Shiite heartland in years. Protesters are calling for an end to endemic corruption, soaring joblessness and poor public services and have turned their rage on neighbouring Iran, blaming its outsized influence in Iraq's political affairs for their misery. The official said it was not clear who was behind the Saturday morning attack on Basra airport, which also houses the U.S. consulate. He said the attack occurred at about 8 am local time and did not cause casualties or disrupt flights in or out of the city. The official spoke on condition of anonymity, citing security concerns. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the ...
Delhi Police nabs member of banned Manipuri terror outfit
In a major breakthrough, the Delhi Police Special Cell on Saturday arrested a member of the banned terrorist organisation of Manipur Kangleipak Communist Party-Peoples War Group (KCP-PWG).The Police nabbed Moirangthem Ranapratap from Manipur's Bishnupur District.He was also wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), a reward of Rs 2 lakh on his arrest was also announced by the agency.The 37-year-old, along with his associates, was involved in extortion and extending threats to businessmen and influential people.According to the police, Moirangthem Ranapratap had also directed one his accomplices to set up a base in the capital to carry out unlawful activities and to extend threats to Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.The self proclaimed general secretary of the terror outfit has been brought to Delhi on transit remand.
J-K: LeT terrorist killed, policeman injured in encounter
A Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist involved in carrying out a number of terror attacks on security forces was killed in an encounter with the Jammu and Kashmir police in Achabal block of South Kashmir's Anantnag district.On the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, terrorists attacked a police picket at Achabal in Anantnag district. However, the attack was successfully repulsed by the personnel on duty, resulting in the death of one terrorist.According to an official statement from the state police, the slain terrorist has been identified as Bilal Ahmad from Tatripora Yaripora of Kulgam district.Bilal had joined the proscribed terror outfit three months ago. His involvement was also established in a weapon snatching case earlier.Apart from Bilal's death, one policeman also sustained injuries during the shootout. He was later shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.Two cars were seized by the police from the spot, which were allegedly used by the terrorists, along with ...
Lashkar militant killed in Anantnag
A Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant was killed while a policeman was injured in an exchange of fire after ultras attacked a police post in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said Saturday. Militants attacked the police picket at Achabal in the south Kashmir district Friday night, a police spokesman said. He said the attack was successfully repulsed by jawans on duty at the picket. In retaliatory action, one militant was killed, the spokesman said. He said weapon of the militant was also recovered from the site of the attack. The slain militant has been identified as Bilal Ahmad a resident of Tantraypora Yaripora of the neighbouring Kulgam district, the spokesman said. Bilal had joined the proscribed terror outfit LeT three months ago. His involvement was also established in a weapon snatching case earlier. He was involved in carrying out terror attacks on the security forces and civilian atrocities in the area, he said. In the incident, the spokesman said, a policeman also ..
LeT militant killed in J&K gunfight
A Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant was killed in a gunfight with the police in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, authorities said on Saturday.
Israeli aircraft target 2 Hamas posts in Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has said Israeli military aircraft targeted two observation post belonging to Hamas, ruler of the Gaza Strip.
Militant killed, policeman injured in attack on police picket in JK
A militant was killed and a policeman injured when a some ultras attacked a police picket in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, the police said on Saturday. Militants attacked a police picket at Achabal late Friday night, a police official said, adding but the attack was successfully repulsed. In retaliatory action, one militant was killed and his weapon was recovered, he said. The identity and group affiliation of the slain ultra is yet to be ascertained, he added. The official said that in the shootout, a policeman sustained injuries and was shifted to a hospital where his condition is stated to be stable.
Palestinian teen killed by Israeli fire in Gaza border clashes: ministry
A teenager was shot dead by the Israeli army during renewed clashes on the Gaza border Friday, the health ministry in the Palestinian strip said. Bilal Khafaja, 17, was shot in the chest during clashes east of Rafah in southern Gaza, the ministry said in a statement. Thousands of protesters again approached the border in multiple locations Friday evening, the latest in months of violent demonstrations. Balloons with incendiary devices attached were again flown across the border, after being largely absent in recent weeks. Earlier Friday a Palestinian succumbed to his wounds, two months after being shot during protests, the health ministry said. Amjed Hamdouna, 19, was wounded on July 14. At least 174 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since protests broke out on March 30. One Israeli soldier was shot by a Palestinian sniper.
Protesters set Iranian consulate ablaze in Iraq's Basra
Hundreds of protesters stormed and set on fire the Iranian consulate in Iraq's southern city of Basra on Friday as they vented their anger over poor public services. Thousands of demonstrators rallied outside the building while hundreds went inside the consulate and set it ablaze, the photographer said. Basra has seen a surge in protests since Tuesday, with demonstrators torching government buildings as well as political party and militia offices, as anger boils over after the hospitalisation of 30,000 people who had drunk polluted water. At least nine demonstrators have been killed since then in clashes with security forces, Mehdi al-Tamimi, head of Basra's human rights council, has said. Protests first broke out in July in oil-rich Basra province before spreading to other parts of the country, with demonstrators also condemning corruption among Iraqi officials and demanding jobs. P rime Minister Haider al-Abadi has scrambled to defuse the anger and authorities have pledged a ...
What cost J&K top cop S.P.Vaid his job? (News Analysis) (Lead, Correcting Headline)
The shifting at midnight of the Jammu and Kashmir police chief, S.P. Vaid, has triggered an interesting debate in the state.
Jawan, militant killed in encounter in Manipur
An Assam Rifles jawan and a cadre of the Manipur-based People's Liberation Army (PLA) were killed on Friday, during an exchange of fire between security forces and the proscribed militant outfit, police said. The firing took place at around 5 am in the interior area of Zoupi in Chandel district bordering Myanmar, a senior officer told PTI. Following the incident, the nearby Assam Rifles Battalion has been alerted, the officer said.
Former J-K governor N N Vohra's security upgraded to Z+
The security of former Jammu and Kashmir governor N N Vohra was enhanced as the Centre Friday sanctioned the top category 'Z+' armed cover of a central paramilitary force to him, officials said. They said the Union Home Ministry has decided to upgrade the present low category CISF 'Y' cover to Vohra, based on a threat perception assessment report prepared by central security agencies. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will now provide Vohra with a 'Z+' armed cover and the squad will also secure his house in Gurgaon and he will have the commandos with him when he travels to any part of the country, a Home Ministry official confirmed. He said a commando team of about 10 to 11 personnel armed with AK-47 rifles and a pilot and an escort vehicle will be part of Vohra's entourage. During his stint as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, a strong posse of state police and CISF personnel used to protect him, they said. Vohra's over-a-decade stint in Jammu and Kashmir ended last month
Indo-Kazakhstan joint Army exercise to begin from Sept 10
Indo-Kazakhstan joint Army exercise 'KAZIND' will be conducted between the Indian and Kazakhstan Army from September 10 to 23 in Otar region of Kazakhstan.This is the third joint military exercise between the two countries, which have a history of extensive cooperation in defence. The second edition of the exercise was held in India last year.The aim of the exercise is to build and promote bilateral Army to Army relations and exchange skills and experiences between Kazakhstan Army and the Indian Army. The exercise is also aimed at strengthening the ties between the two nations and will serve as a platform for exchange of drills and procedures leading to seamless interoperability.The two-week long exercise with the Kazakhstan Army will follow a graduated continuum from rudimentary orientation to a full-scale mock exercise, the aim being to achieve optimum integration among the two contingents through enhanced mutual comprehension of each other's tactics, techniques and procedures. ..
Cops disguise as stone pelters to catch real culprits
The Jammu and Kashmir Police Friday adopted a fresh strategy of nabbing stone pelters by planting its men among them at historic Jama Masjid downtown to arrest the real culprits in action. After the Friday prayers today, a mob started pelting stones at police and CRPF personnel but there was no retaliation this time and not even a single teargas shell was lobbed or baton charge initiated by the law enforcing force. As the crowd swelled to over 100 people and two chronic stone pelters started leading the agitation, the first tear gas shell was lobbed at the mob dispersing them. However, to the surprise of the two stone pelters, who were leading the mob, they were grabbed by policemen, covertly placed in the crowd, and whisked away in waiting vehicles. The policemen, who disguised as stone pelters, brandished toy guns to scare others while the duo were taken to the police station. Perplexed by the development, the stone pelters ended the protest early today as they were caught unaware ..
Shots fired, 3 hurt on last day for filing Punjab panchayat poll papers
Two policemen and another man suffered gunshot injuries Friday as violence marred the last day for filing nominations for the panchayat polls in Punjab. The policemen were hurt when an unidentified person fired gunshots during the filing of papers for zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections outside the SDM's office in Patti near Tarn Taran. In another incident at Dharamkot near Moga, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Congress supporters clashed. In Chandigarh, SAD claimed its candidates were prevented from filing nomination papers and asked the state election commission to extend the date for filing the papers. The elections will be held on September 19. The police said the situation took an ugly turn in Patti when Akali Dal candidates tried to enter the sub divisional magistrate's office along with their supporters to file their nomination papers. An alleged SAD supporter fired the shots, police said. Patti station house officer Rajesh Kakkar and his gunman were hurt in the firing, .
Ratification of CTBT essential to prevent 'catastrophic impact' of nuclear tests: UN chief
UN chief Antonio Guterres reiterated his appeal to eight nations, including India and the US, to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, saying the failure to bring it into force undermines global efforts to ensure a world free of atomic weapons. Although more than 180 countries have signed the CTBT, and mostly ratified it, the treaty can only enter into force after it is ratified by eight countries with nuclear technology capacity, namely China, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan and the United States. "Every effort must be made to bring about the immediate entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, CTBT. Yet, more than 20 years since its negotiation, the Treaty has yet to enter into force," the Secretary General said at a high-level meeting on Thursday, commemorating the International Day against Nuclear Tests. He said the failure to bring the treaty into force prevents its full implementation and undermines its permanence in the ...
Sri Lanka on track to be landmine free by 2020
The Sri Lankan government on Friday said the country was on track to achieving its target of being free from landmines by 2020.