Page 470 - War Conflict
Child among three killed in Baghdad blast: source
Three people were killed today in an explosion at a market in Baghdad, including a woman and child according to a security source. The blast struck in the Shiite bastion of Sadr City, a sprawling district where authorities regularly carry out raids close to the busy market to seize illegal weapons. "Three people were killed and four others injured in an explosion in a covered market near the Mreydi souk in Sadr City," Baghdad's military operations command said in a statement. A source from the security services told AFP that a woman and a child were among those killed. Authorities did not detail the cause of the blast and said an investigation would be launched. The Mreydi souk is an important hub for illegal weapons sales and the area has seen years of violence since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. In June, at least 16 people were killed and some 30 injured in an explosion at a house in the area where weapons were stored. Sadr City is the former bastion of the Mahdi Army, which .
Taliban capture northern base as Afghan forces fight in Ghazni
Taliban fighters overran a northern Afghan army base, officials said today, killing at least 17 soldiers with dozens feared captured in a stinging blow to security forces already struggling to push insurgents from eastern Ghazni. The fall of the base in Ghormach district of volatile Faryab province came with security forces -- who have struggled to hold back the Taliban since NATO combat troops pulled out in 2014 -- already stretched by the days of fighting in Ghazni, a strategic provincial capital two hours from Kabul. Militants gained control of the base after days of heavy fighting, according to army spokesman for northern Afghanistan Mohammad Hanif Rezaee. He said around 100 soldiers were on the base when it was first attacked Sunday. "It is a tragedy that the base fell to the enemy. Some soldiers were killed, some captured and some fled to nearby hills," Rezaee told AFP. At least 17 were killed in the attack, according to defence ministry spokesman Ghafoor Ahmad Jawed, while a ...
Security strengthened in Jammu ahead of I-Day celebrations
Tight security arrangements have been put in place across Jammu division to ensure a peaceful and violence free Independence Day, officials said today. Security has been strengthened at all vital installations, including government buildings and religious places, to maintain a tight vigil, they said. Reports of stringent security arrangements were also received from all district headquarters and major towns in the division. Continuous and random frisking of vehicles is going on as part of the security plan across the division, the officials said. "Cooperation from civilians travelling in any vehicle will not only lead to completion of frisking process of vehicles in shortest possible time but will also strengthen the relations between civilians and the force personnel who are standing on the roads to perform their duties," said Senior Superintendent of Police (Rajouri) Yougal Manhas. He expressed displeasure over a couple of incidents across the district in which some people ...
Car crashes into people near UK Parliament, man arrested
A man was arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences after a car crashed into a number of cyclists and pedestrians before hitting security barriers outside the UK Parliament on Tuesday, the police said.
Car crashes into barriers outside UK Parliament in terror attack; 3 injured
In a terror attack, a speeding car crashed into security barriers outside the UK's Parliament during rush hour, injuring three persons, Scotland Yard said as a man was arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences. Scotland Yard's Counter-Terrorism Command is treating the incident in central London as a terrorist attack. The man, in his late 20s, has been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences. Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, the Indian-origin National Lead for Counter Terrorism Policing in the UK, said the man was not cooperating with police as they work to establish his identity. "Our priority is to formally establish the identity of the suspect and his motivation if we can. He is not currently cooperating," Basu said, adding that the suspect was not known to security services or under surveillance. "There is no intelligence at this time of further danger to Londoners or to the rest of the UK connected to this incident. "Given that this appears to be a ...
Militants fired at me: PDP youth prez
PDP youth president Waheed Para today claimed he was attacked by suspected militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district. "Some shots were fired at my vehicle when I was on way home from a condolence meeting in Budgam yesterday," Para said. He said the incident happened at Handjan in central Kashmir district. Para said bullets hit a window pane of his bullet-proof vehicle. A police official said they have taken cognisance of the matter and are investigating it.
Rijiju hails ITBP for rescuing Kinner Kailash pilgrims
Union minister Kiren Rijiju today praised the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) for rescuing hundreds of Kinner Kailash pilgrims who were recently stranded in flash floods in Himachal Pradesh's tribal Kinnaur district. During his visit to the 17th Battalion ITBP Reckong Peo in Kinnaur district today, Rijiju, the Union Minister of State for Home, also appreciated ITBP soldiers for their rescue operations during various calamities in mountainous terrain of the state from time to time. He also distributed dustbins and other sanitary products among the locals under the Swachhta programme organised by the ITBP. On the sidelines of the programme, Rjiju told reporters that his Kinnaur visit was meant to take stock of the situation in the district after recent calamities. "My major concern was to get the first hand information about the activities in this border district," Rijiju said. The programme was also attended by the ITBP DGP, 17th battalion Commandant Arjun Negi, Officiating Kinnaur ..
Independence Day: 14 ITBP men get President's medal
Fourteen officials of the border guarding force Indo- Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) have been decorated with the President's Police Medals for meritorious and distinguished service on the eve of Independence Day. Those decorated include Deputy Commandant and Senior Administrative Officer Devinder Pal (distinguished service) and Commandant of the 51st battalion M S Guleria (meritorious service), among others. The nearly 90,000-strong force is primarily tasked with guarding the 3,488 km Sino-India border apart from other internal security duties, including conducting anti-Naxal operations.
AQIS 'ideologically inclined' to carry out attacks in India: UN report
Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), set up by Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri in 2014 to expand the terror group's influence in the region, is "ideologically inclined" to carry out attacks inside India but its capability is believed to be low and is relatively isolated owing to increased security measures, according to a UN report. The AQIS, the Al-Qaeda's regional affiliate, is led by Asim Umar -- an Indian and former member of Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami. The 22nd report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, submitted to the UN Security Council Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee, said that AQIS is "relatively isolated owing to increased security measures within the wider region, but the group continues to seek security gaps for opportunistic attacks." The group is "ideologically inclined to carry out attacks inside India but its capability is believed to be low," it said, adding that according to Member States, the strength of AQIS in Afghanistan is estimated at .
BSF considering deployment in 'Swabhiman' areas in Odisha: IG
Having played a key role in the completion of the Gurupriya Bridge, the BSF is planning to enhance deployment in the 'Swabhiman' area in Maoist-hit Malkangiri district in Odisha and move up to Chhattisgarh border to target the rebels. "Completion of Gurupriya Bridge was possible due to security provided to the construction company. The bridge has given a boost to connectivity to cut-off areas," said Inspector General of BSF's Special Operations, Odisha Frontier, Ashwini Kumar Singh. A new name is given to the cut-off area as 'Swabhiman Anchal,' as the area remained encircled by water on three sides after construction of reservoirs at Machhkund in 1960s and Balimela in 1980s. There is no means of communication to the villages other than boat services. Stating that the BSF, which is deployed in the four districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada and Nabarangpur, played a major role in spurring development of the region, he said steps were being taken to ensure that Maoist
Car crashes into barrier outside UK Parliament in terror attack
In a terror attack, a speeding car crashed into security barriers outside the UK's Parliament during rush hour, injuring two persons, Scotland Yard said as a man was arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences. Scotland Yard's Counter-Terrorism Command is treating the incident in central London as a terrorist attack. The man, in his late 20s, has been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences. Eyewitnesses said that the man, who looked calm, was led away in handcuffs from the car by officers after the crash. The identity of the man was not immediately revealed. "At this stage, we are treating this as a terrorist incident and the Met's Counter Terrorism Command is now leading the investigation," a Met Police spokesperson said. The spokesperson said that there was nobody else in the vehicle, which remains at the scene and is being searched. No weapons have been recovered at this stage. Police have put up a Terrorism Act cordon, a reaction to incidents of this nature near any ...
Heavy security cover in national capital for I-Day
The historic Red Fort, from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation on the 72nd Independence Day tomorrow, has been put under a heavy security cover, along with other critical areas in the national capital. Police are on high alert in the wake of an attack on JNU student leader Umar Khalid in the Lutyens' Delhi area yesterday and the incident in the UK, in which a car crashed into the security barriers outside the Parliament building today, a senior police officer said. He said even though the attack in the UK has not yet been declared as an act of terror, police were not taking any chances. While nearly 70,000 Delhi Police personnel are guarding the national capital, close to 10,000 cops have been deployed at the Mughal-era fort, which will see the presence of senior ministers, top bureaucrats, foreign dignitaries and common people during the PM's address tomorrow. Delhi Police personnel have been specifically asked to keep an eye on the sky to ensure that no stray
Charcoal Eats Salutes the Indian Armed Forces with a Special Discount Scheme
On the occasion of Independence Day, tech-enabled, full stack QSR start-up Charcoal Eats will offer a special 15% discount to all Indian armed forces personnel, for a full year starting this August 15th. Retired and serving armed forces personnel and their spouse will be able to avail this 15% discount across all Charcoal Eats dine-in outlets for dining in and take away orders only, in its 19, and increasing, dine-in outlets in Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Pune, Nashik, Chennai, & Gandhinagar.To avail the discount, the customer would have to share a valid service ID/spouse card issued by the Army/Air Force/Navy at the time of placing the order. Charcoal Eats offers high quality, all-day food across snack and meal times. The offerings include a wide array of Biryanis, Rolls, Loaded Fries, Starters, Meals, Puff Pizzas, Beverages & Desserts. The company prepares its food in best-in-class, modern, hygienic kitchens, using high-quality ingredients that are free from any artificial colors or
Taliban militants overrun Afghan Army base, 17 soldiers killed
At least 17 Afghan soldiers were killed after Taliban militants overran an Army base in the northern part of the country following a three-day intense fighting, officials said on Tuesday.
China equips troops in Tibet with hi-pressure oxygen supplies, portable barracks
The Chinese military has set up oxygen stations and introduced high-pressure oxygen therapy and specially designed portable barracks to its troops stationed in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to boost combat capability in the high-altitude ranges where oxygen levels are low, official media here reported today. Chinese official media had been periodically highlighting the training preparations and the combat readiness of the PLA troops in Tibet in the recent months. According to the official People's Liberation Army (PLA) website 81.cn, all frontline training troops and border outposts have been equipped with oxygen generators and oxygen cylinders. Also, the Army Medical University's Xinqiao Hospital in Xigaze, which is close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India, is developing a high-pressure oxygen therapy that could effectively solve altitude stress for troops stationed on the plateau, the PLA Daily said. It said that oxygen therapy, used to cure brain damage and carbon monoxide .
Madras HC orders CBI probe into Tuticorin police firing
The Madras High Court on Tuesday ordered a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the police firing in Tuticorin in which 13 people were killed on May 22. The victims were taking part in a protest against the Sterlite copper smelter plant.
I-day: CRPF gets max bravery honours; 942 policemen decorated
Two CRPF jawans from Kashmir who laid down their lives in the line of duty have been bestowed with country's top police gallantry medal --PPMG-- as the government today announced service decorations for a total of 942 state police and paramilitary personnel on the eve of the 72nd Independence Day. Constable Sharief-ud-din Ganaie and Head Constable Mohd Tafail of the CRPF have been decorated with the President's Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) posthumously even as 89 other personnel from the force have been awarded the Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG) for undertaking dare-devil action in militancy-affected Jammu and Kashmir and anti-Naxal operations in various states. This is the highest-ever gallantry medals tally for the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) till date, a senior official said. The CRPF was followed by the Jammu and Kashmir Police that has been accorded 37 PMsG along with the Odisha Police (11), Border Security Force (10), Maharashtra Police (8), Chhattisgarh Police ...
CM announces ex-gratia for family of Army jawan killed in Tangdhar
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakhs for the family of Army jawan Pushpendra Singh, who was killed in Jammu and Kashmir yesterday. Singh, who hailed from Mathura, was killed yesterday as Army foiled an infiltration bid by militants in Tangdhar sector. "The country will always remember the supreme sacrifice of this brave soldier in the service to the nation," an official release quoting the Chief Minister said.
Anti-Sterlite protests: Madras HC orders CBI probe into police firing
The Madras High Court on Tuesday ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into police firing during the anti-Sterlite protests held on May 22. 13 people lost their lives during the firing.Madras High Court judges CT Selvam and Basheer Ahamed quashed the detention of six members of Makkal Adhikaram. These members were detained under the National Security Act (NSA).The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has transferred all the cases pertaining to violence and police firing to CBI.Speaking on the High Court's order, Tamil Nadu minister D. Jayakumar said, "The Court has given its order for the CBI probe. The Tamil Nadu government will definitely meet to decide upon this."On May 22, people of the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu protested against the construction of a copper plant, claiming that it was polluting groundwater, and was hazardous for the environment.The protests took a violent turn when 13 people were killed and more than 60 were injured in the police firing ...
SC to hear plea against dilution of AFSPA
The Supreme Court will hear on August 20 a plea against the dilution of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act that gives immunity to military personnel from prosecution for their actions in disturbed and insurgency-hit areas.