Page 460 - War Conflict
Another policeman killed by terrorists in J-K
A policeman, who was shot by terrorists on Wednesday at Louswani area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district, succumbed to his injuries on way to a Srinagar hospital in a critical condition.A few hours back, the constable in Jammu and Kashmir police, who has been identified as Mohd Yaqoob Shah, was fired upon by terrorists outside his home at Louswani village.Earlier in the day, a policeman was shot dead by terrorists in Kulgam district. Terrorists opened fire at Fayaz Ahmed Shah, a constable in Jammu and Kashmir Police, outside an Eidgah, when he was leaving after prayers.The 34-year-old constable, who died on the spot, was a resident of Zazri Pora village. He is survived by his mother, wife and two daughters.Police have registered a case in the connection.Yesterday, Shabir Ahmad Bhat, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker, was shot dead by terrorists in Kashmir's Pulwama.
China declines to renew visa for Indian-American woman journalist
China has refused to renew the journalist visa for an Indian-American woman reporter of the US-based BuzzFeed News allegedly due to her critical reporting on the volatile Muslim-majority Xinjiang province. Megha Rajagopalan today said in a tweet that China's foreign ministry declined to issue her a new visa in May. "It is bittersweet to leave Beijing after spending six wonderful and eye-opening years as a journalist there," Megha, who previously worked for Reuters in Beijing, said. "In May, China's Foreign Ministry declined to issue me a new journalist visa. They say this is a process thing, we are not totally clear why," she said in a tweet. In another Tweet last month, Megha highlighted her story on "how China's sprawling surveillance state recruits, threaten and intimidate Muslim Uighurs into spying for Beijing and staying silent even in Europe and the United States. My latest, based on first-hand accounts, text messages and audio recordings". China previously denied visas to ...
Two policemen, BJP activist killed in Kashmir on Eid
Eid festivity in militancy-hit Kashmir was marred with violent incidents in which terrorists shot dead two policemen today in two districts of the state, police said. The first incident took place when Fayaz Ahmad Shah, an under training police constable, was shot when he was returning home after offering Eid prayers in Kulgam, one of the worst militancy-hit districts of South Kashmir. Shah, 34, was working with the Jammu and Kashmir Police as a Special Police Officer and had been given an out-of-turn promotion and selected as a constable. He was undergoing training at Talwara in Jammu region and had come home. Terrorists pumped bullets at Shah from a close range near his house. He died on the spot. A pall of gloom descended on the policeman's native Zazripora village when the news of his death broke out. The Eid festivities turned into mourning at Shah's residence with his two minor daughters, aged five and two, unable to understand the sudden rush of people to their residence and ...
Challenge 'narrative of hatred' by caring for victims of terrorism: UN chief
UN chief Antonio Guterres has appealed for global support for the victims of terrorism, saying it is a "moral imperative" to protect their rights and amplifying their voices will help to challenge the "narrative of hatred" that terrorism aims to spread. Recognising the impact of terrorism on the lives of ordinary people worldwide was the focus yesterday to mark the first International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution last December and proclaimed August 21 as the annual day to honour and support victims and survivors of terrorism. "Supporting victims and their families is a moral imperative, based on promoting, protecting and respecting their human rights," the UN Secretary General said. "Caring for victims and survivors and amplifying their voices helps to challenge the narrative of hatred and division that terrorism aims to spread. We need to provide victims with long-term assistance, including financial, ...
Militants kill another policeman in Pulwama district
Militants shot and killed another policeman in south Kashmir's Pulwama district on Wednesday, police said.
Syria jihadist chief warns Idlib rebels against talks with regime
The head of Syria's leading jihadist alliance today warned opposition factions in Idlib against taking part in any talks with the regime towards a government takeover of the province. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) chief Abu Mohamed al-Jolani spoke after President Bashar al-Assad warned that he aimed to retake control of the northwestern province on the Turkish border. The head of HTS, a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, warned fellow jihadists and other opposition fighters in Idlib, Syria's last rebel-held province, against handing over their arms in surrender deals with the regime. "The weapons of the revolution and jihad... are a red line on which concessions are unacceptable, and they will never be put on the negotiations table," he said. Jolani's HTS alliance controls around 60 per cent of Idlib, while other Turkey-supported rebel groups hold most of the rest. The regime holds a small patch in the province's southeast. "As soon as one of us thinks about negotiating over their weapons, they .
8 TN fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy
Eight Indian fishermen have been arrested and their trawler seized by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly poaching in the country's waters, according to an official statement. A naval ship made the arrest in the seas, 16 nautical miles off the Arippu area, for "illegal fishing" in the island nation's waters, according to a statement of the Sri Lankan Navy. The arrested fishermen were taken to a naval base for a medical examination. Later, they were handed over to the authorities, the statement said. A Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department official in Rameswaram said the fishermen belong to Tuticorin. He said a court at Puttalam in Sri Lanka remanded them to judicial custody till September 3. Meanwhile, fishermen associations in India alleged that the Sri Lankan authorities put the arrested people in chains while taking them to the court in violation of norms. On August 10, a total of 27 Indian fishermen were arrested by the Lankan Navy on the charge of fishing in the island nation's ...
Congo 'Ninja' leader gives nod to disarmament after ceasefire deal
The leader behind an insurgency in the Republic of Congo accepted the principle of laying down arms in his first public appearance since he agreed to a ceasefire last December. Frederic Bintsamou -- also known as Pastor Ntumi -- is head of a powerful militia called the Ninjas which launched a revolt in April 2016 in the southern region of Pool, prompting more than 138,000 people to flee their homes. On December 23, 2017, Bintsamou's group signed a ceasefire deal with the government which was touted as laying the groundwork for peace. In it, Bintsamou committed to "facilitating the collection of weapons held by the ex-combatants" but did not follow up on this, saying he opposed "unilateral" disarmament. On Tuesday, Bintsamou and members of a joint panel charged with implementing the deal met at his estate in Pool around 100 kilometres (60 miles) southwest of the capital, Brazzaville, an AFP reporter present at the meeting said. "I come to you to ask you to appeal for peace, to appeal ..
Vietnam convicts 12 'terrorists' for subversion
Vietnam today jailed two American citizens and 10 others from an outlawed US-based "terrorist" group for attempting to overthrow the state after they spread anti-government leaflets and tried to incite protests last year. Critics of the communist regime are routinely jailed in the one-party state. Most are loosely-linked bloggers, activists and rights lawyers, with few groups designated as "terrorist organisations". One of those groups is the California-based Provisional National Government of Vietnam (PNGV), an anti-communist organisation with its own self-appointed prime minister that pledges allegiance to the former South Vietnam regime. Twelve of their members were jailed for between five and 14 years after a two-day trial in Ho Chi Minh City for "attempting to overthrow the state", according to Phap Luat newspaper, the mouthpiece of the city's justice department. They were accused of printing 4,000 leaflets, plotting to take over national radio and calling for demonstrations on ..
HIGHLIGHTS NORTH 4.45 PM
Following are the top stories from the northern region at 4.45 pm SRINAGAR DEL4 JK-SHOT Srinagar: Terrorists shot dead a policeman in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district today when he was returning home after offering Eid prayers, police said. SRINAGAR DEL6 JK-BJP WORKER Srinagar: A BJP worker was found dead today after he was kidnapped by suspected terrorists in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.
Syria's al-Qaeda leader vows to fight on in rebel province
The leader of Syria's al-Qaeda affiliate has vowed to fight on in Idlib province, the country's last major rebel stronghold, in the face of a possible government offensive. Abu Mohammed al-Golani of the militant Levant Liberation Committee says state-sponsored surrenders of rebel groups, similar to those that recently occurred in southern Syria, won't happen in Idlib. His comments came as government forces have been sending reinforcements into Idlib, in the country's northwest along the border with Turkey. Syrian government forces captured rebel-held suburbs of the capital, Damascus, earlier this year as well as the southern provinces of Daraa, Quneitra and Sweida. Al-Golani's comments came in a video posted online to mark the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha. The statement was posted shortly before midnight yesterday.
Taliban to visit Russia for Afghan peace talks
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has announced that the members of the Taliban would visit Russia next month to discuss on a peace strategy in Afghanistan."The initial response is positive - they plan to take part in this meeting. I hope it will be productive," Lavrov was quoted by CNN as saying.Although Russia does not share any border with Afghanistan, in recent times, Moscow has stepped up efforts to reach out to the Taliban, to enter into peace negotiations with the US-backed Afghan government. The group is banned in Russia."We never concealed that we maintain contacts with the Taliban -- it is part of Afghan society. We support these contacts, primarily in the interests of ensuring the safety of Russian citizens in Afghanistan, Russian institutions, but also to encourage the Taliban to abandon the armed struggle and enter into a nationwide dialogue with the government," Lavrov added.The announcement by Russia comes three days after Afghan president Ashraf Ghani announced a .
Rohingya mark Eid, one year after Myanmar crisis
Nearly one million Rohingya Muslims marked Eid al-Adha today in the world's largest refugee camp, almost a year to the day since a brutal military crackdown drove the persecuted minority from Myanmar in huge numbers. Prayers were offered in makeshift mosques across southern Bangladesh to celebrate the Islamic festival of sacrifice as cows were slaughtered in muddy fields across the sprawling camps. In Kutupalong, a gigantic hill settlement crammed with hundreds of thousands of refugees, a muezzin called the faithful to pray as children played on a wooden carousel and ran about in dirt alleyways in new clothes for the special day. For many refugees, this Eid al-Adha is the first since their violent expulsion from western Myanmar a year ago in a campaign of orchestrated violence likened by US and UN officials to ethnic cleansing. Myanmar's military, backed by armed Buddhist militias, began sweeping through Rohingya villages in August 2017 just days before Eid celebrations got ...
Actor Raveena Tandon becomes brand ambassador of SGNP
The Maharashtra government has appointed Bollywood actor Raveena Tandon as the brand ambassador of the city-based Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). Maharashtra Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar made the announcement today. "I would like to welcome Raveena ji as the brand ambassador of SGNP. She is an environmentally-conscious citizen and a respected member of the community. She can help spread awareness among citizens," Mungantiwar said in a statement issued here. He said SGNP is a vast treasure of flora and fauna in Mumbai city and it also provides water to a major part of the city. The actor met Mungantiwar at his residence to discuss the 13 crore tree-plantation drive and her contribution to help achieve a greener Maharashtra, the statement said. As the brand ambassador, Tandon will help the state forest department to create awareness about its various initiatives, like the 50 crore tree plantation drive, eco-tourism in SGNP, conservation of leopards in SGNP, ...
Highest civilian award in the US proposed for Mahatma Gandhi
During India Day Parade in New York, US Congresswomen Carolyn B. Maloney said, "#Gandhi's historic Satyagraha Movement of nonviolent resistance inspired a nation and the world. His impact deserves recognition, which is why I'm introducing legislation to posthumously award him the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award in the US."Prasoon Sharma, Director, India Global, who has been selected by Mahatma Gandhi's Alma matter - UCL, London & New York University for Global Public policy leadership program, was invited by Dr Neeta Jain, Chairman International Ahmisa Foundation (IAF)'s float as Honorary Guest. Dr Neeta Jain along with Federation of Indian Association, US team is working hard to get this legislation passed.Prasoon Sharma said it will be a historic tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary (Oct 2, 2018). According to him, today's world critically needs Gandhian principles of non-violence and peace.
Japan wants Sri Lanka's Hambantota to be military free
Japan wants Sri Lanka's southern Hambantota port to be "free of military activities", the visiting Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onedera has said amid concerns in the region over the leasing of the facility to China. Onedera, who arrived here yesterday, is the first Japanese defence minister ever to visit Sri Lanka. His visit comes amid the regional concerns over growing Chinese influence in Sri Lanka. Speaking to the Japanese NHK television after his meetings with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Onedera said he had raised the Chinese issue with Sri Lanka. "Despite the lease there was an agreement that port remains free of military activities," Onedera was quoted as saying by NHK. He is also scheduled to visit Hambantota. Sri Lanka and China have entered into a 99-year lease of the Hambantota port which will enable the Chinese to set up an industrial park around the sea port. Sri Lanka has responded to regional concerns, mostly ..
Clashes erupt after Eid prayers in Kashmir Valley
Clashes erupted between stone pelting youths and the security forces in some parts of the Kashmir Valley immediately after the Eid prayers ended on Wednesday, police said.
Challenge narrative of hatred, division by caring for victims of terrorism: UN chief
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for global support for the victims of terrorism and their families, stressing that it is a "moral imperative" to protect their rights and amplifying their voices will help to challenge the narrative of hatred that terrorism aims to spread. Recognising the impact of terrorism on the lives of ordinary people worldwide was the focus yesterday to mark the first International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution last December and proclaimed August 21 as the annual day to honour and support victims and survivors of terrorism. "Supporting victims and their families is a moral imperative, based on promoting, protecting and respecting their human rights," the UN chief said yesterday . "Caring for victims and survivors and amplifying their voices helps to challenge the narrative of hatred and division that terrorism aims to spread. We need to provide victims with long-term ...
Terrorists shoot policeman dead in J-K
Terrorists shot dead a policeman in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district today when he was returning home after offering Eid prayers, police said. Fayaz Ahmad Shah was shot dead by terrorists near his home at Awgam, a police official said. He said Shah was undergoing a recruitment training course at Talwara and he had come home to celebrate Eid with his family.
J-K: Stone-pelters mar Eid festivities in Srinagar
The celebrations of Eid-Al-Adha was marred by violence in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar city when stone-pelters came out on the streets and waved flags of Pakistan and dreaded terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).In a bid to disrupt peace, the demonstrators chanted slogans and clashed with police personnel on duty in Srinagar's Eidgah area, soon after Eid prayers. They also pelted stones on security personnel, who were trying to disperse them.In another incident, a policeman was shot dead by terrorists outside an Eidgah in Kulgam's Zazripora, when he was leaving after offering prayers.Earlier in May, a tourist from Tamil Nadu's Chennai had lost his life in stone-pelting, a few days after the vehicle of a district judge from Bengaluru, who was on a holiday with his family, was pelted with stones. Around the same time, a bus carrying school students was also attacked by unruly stone-pelters in Zawoora village of Shopian district.The rampant incidents of stone-pelting in