Page 497 - War Conflict

Tunisia releases alleged bin Laden bodyguard

A Tunisian judge today ordered the provisional release of an alleged bodyguard of Osama bin Laden after he was detained in a terrorism probe following expulsion from Germany, a prosecution spokesman said. "Sami Idoudi appeared today before a magistrate... who decided on his provisional release as no charge has been filed against him," spokesman Sofiene Sliti told AFP. Idoudi had been taken into custody in Tunisia on July 13, upon his arrival in the country after being expelled by Germany. He was detained in Tunisia on suspicion of involvement in terrorist acts, taking part in training in Afghanistan and being a former bodyguard to bin Laden, anti-terror authorities said. But "after 15 days of preventative detention, Sami Idoudi has been investigated by the anti-terrorist branch who have found no proof of his implication in terrorist affairs", said Sliti. Sliti, however, said Idoudi remains under investigation by anti-terrorist authorities and that they have retained his ...

Mattala airport deal will embroil Sri Lanka in India-China 'regional power games': Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka's proposed deal with India over the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport will "unnecessarily" embroil the island national in India-China "regional power games", former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today. The Sri Lankan government earlier this month had announced that it would go ahead with the deal with India to jointly operate the airport in the southern Hambantota district. The country has also entered a 99-year lease with China to develop an industrial park and an oil bunkering facility at the Hambantota port. "We are opposed to the selling of national assets," Rajapaksa said while in Tangalle town of his home district Hambantota. "Our country will be unnecessarily caught in regional power games due to this," he added. Rajapaksa was underlining the concerns that the current government in a bid to balance India in Sri Lanka's "over dependence" on China is to handover the Mattala airport to serve New Delhi's interests. The USD 210 million facility, 241-km south-east .

Northern Command pays homage to Kargil martyrs in Udhampur

Army troops today paid tributes and homage to the soldiers killed in Operation Kargil, a day after the 19th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Divas, by lighting of candles at the Udhampur-based Northern Command. Lt Gen Paramjit Singh, Chief of Staff, Northern Command, along with a number of military and civil officials, including all ranks and families, paid their homage at the Shardanjali Park in Udhampur. The Kargil war is regarded as a testimony of the Indian Army's grit and determination, in which the soldiers exhibited dauntless courage, resilience, valour and fought against all odds in bone-chilling temperatures of the high altitude mountains in Kargil. Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year on July 26 to commemorate India's resounding victory over Pakistan in Operation Vijay, 1999.

Boko Haram jihadists raid military base in NE Nigeria

Boko Haram fighters aboard dozens of vehicles raided a base near a key city in northeast Nigeria, in their latest assault on the security forces, police and local militia said today. Following the attack, the Nigerian army announced a "major" redeployment of senior officers, naming a new commander to lead counter-insurgency operations against the jihadists. It was the third commander to be named for the miltary operation in the space of a year. The Islamists late yesterday stormed a base on the outskirts of Jakana, a village 30 kilometres from the Borno state capital of Maiduguri, firing guns and rocket-propelled grenades. They then sacked and burned down a police station before fleeing, local militia said. "Yesterday at about 1742 hours, Boko Haram terrorists in about 30 vehicles launched (an) attack on Jakana," Borno state police spokesman Edet Okon said in a short statement. "The police combat units were deployed for reinforcement. The insurgents were successfully repelled by ...

Israel police close gates to Al-Aqsa mosque after clashes

Israeli police closed the gates to Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound today, after clashes erupted with Palestinian worshippers following midday prayers. The Waqf, the religious authority that runs the mosque, confirmed the gates were closed after unrest broke out. All entry into and out of the mosque, which is Islam's third holiest site, was prevented, an AFP photographer said. Police did not confirm the closures but said the clashes were sparked after Friday midday prayers as "rioters started to throw fireworks directly at police". "Police entered the Temple Mount compound and began evacuating the site. During dispersal of the rioters police arrested a number of suspects," a statement said, using the Jewish name for the site. It added police were still seeking to arrest a number of suspects who had fled into the Al-Aqsa mosque inside the compound. The Waqf published videos showing police firing tear gas at Palestinians inside the mosque compound, which also includes the .

Security forces carries out search op in Srinagar

Security forces carried out today a search operation in the commercial hub of Lal Chowk here amid heightening of security measures following killing of a CRPF jawan at Batamaloo on Tuesday. A joint team of security forces cordoned off the area around Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) and carried out searches of buildings and vehicles in the area, a police official said. He said no arrests were made in the operation, during which movement of people through the cordoned area was suspended. Security forces started random frisking of vehicles entering the city following imposition of governor's rule in the state last month but the sanitisation and area domination exercises have been intensified since Tuesday when militants shot dead a CRPF jawan and injured another at Batamaloo.

Militants open fire inside bank after bid to loot fails; 3 injured

Three people were injured as militants opened fire inside a bank branch in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district today after their bid to rob the bank was foiled by an alert sentry. Two civilians and a bank guard sustained injuries in the attack in Mohanpura area of the district, a police spokesperson said. "Terrorists in the afternoon barged in a branch of J&K Bank in Mohanpora of Kulgam district. Terrorists opened fire, in which some people got injured. However, no cash could be looted," a police spokesperson said. However, in another press release, the spokesman said the people present at the branch foiled the militants' bid to loot the bank. "People resisted the attempt of the terrorists and forced them to flee from the spot. Infuriated by this, terrorists fired resulting in injuries to two civilians and a bank guard," he added.

J-K: Terrorists barge into bank, 2 injured

A civilian and one security guard were injured after two terrorists barged into a bank and opened fire in south Kashmir's Kulgam district on Friday.The terrorists forced their entry into the Mohamadpora branch of Jammu and Kashmir Bank in an alleged attempt to loot cash.However, the bank guard opened fire to stop them. According to reports, the gunmen retaliated by firing their guns, injuring two people including the bank guard.The two injured were taken to Kulgam district hospital for treatment.While the civilian, identified as Ashiq Hussain, sustained a bullet injury in his hand, the bank guard suffered a bullet injury to his leg.Meanwhile, a search operation is still underway.Further details in the incident are awaited.

Bank guard, civilian injured as gunmen try to loot bank in Kashmir

A bank guard and a civilian were injured on Friday when gunmen tried to loot a bank in Kulgam district, police said.

36 cows found dead at cowshed in Delhi

Thirty-six cows were found dead at a cowshed in the Chhawla area in Dwarka, the Delhi Police said today. Police were informed about the deaths of the cows at around 12.30 pm today. The cowshed has 1,400 cows and it is suspected that the 36 cows died due to "some disease", they said. A team of doctors is at the spot. Further details are awaited.

N. Korea returns remains of US soldiers killed in Korean War

North Korea has returned the remains believed to be of 55 American troops killed during the Korean War (1950-53) as part of an agreement between US President Donald Trump and Pyongyang leader Kim Jong-un during the Singapore Summit.

4 arrested in cop murder case

Four people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the killing of a police constable and snatching his weapon from the residence of a separatist leader here earlier this year, police said today. Constable Farooq Ahmad was killed while he was guarding Hurriyat conference leader Fazal Haq Qureshi's residence in Soura area of the city on February 25. The four accused -- Umar Noor Bhat, Waseem Ahmad Sofi, Ubaid Zoji and Adil Majid Bhat -- were apprehended yesterday, a police spokesperson said. He said initial investigations revealed the role of local militant Isa Fazli, but later it was found that two more militants -- Syed Owais Shafi and Tawseef Ahmad -- were involved in the attack along with the four associates. The spokesperson said the conspiracy was hatched at Adil's house in Chatabal area. The associates had carried out reconnaissance of Qureshi's residence on the day of the attack, . Umar carried the three militants in a car, while Waseem checked the presence of any ..

ATM loot case: 10 police personnel placed under suspension

Ten police personnel were today placed under suspension for alleged negligence of duty over the incidents leading to the loot of four ATMs by robbers in Baripada Town on July 21, a police officer said. The suspension order was issued by Mayurbhanj Superintendent of Police, Awinash Kumar. The suspended police personnel include two assistant sub-inspectors, three havildars and five constables, the officer said. On July 21 night robbers looted Rs 30 lakh from the four ATMs in Baripada town after breaking open the ATMs using gas cutters.

Four held in J&K policeman murder case

Four persons have been arrested in connection with the killing of a policeman and snatching of his firearm here in February, police said on Friday.

Police carrying out community engagement programmes to avoid misunderstanding: DGP

Ahead of the publication of the final NRC draft, the Assam Police is carrying out community engagement programmes to avoid misunderstanding and keeping a strict watch on social media so that no fake news or hate message is circulated, a top police officer said today. The police's main intention is to prevent build-up of any sort of fear psychosis in the society after publication of the final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) on July 30, Assam Director General of Police, Kuladhar Saikia told PTI in an interview. "We are doing community engagement programmes to avoid any misunderstanding and lack of faith on the system. Our teams are regularly meeting village elders, student leaders and respectable persons in communities," he said. "We are doing lots of campaigns in this regard. Police is visiting markets, village haats for this," Saikia said, adding that there is no tension as such. The top cop said the Assam Police is also keeping a strict vigil on social media so that .

Palestinian killed after stabbing 3 Israelis in West Bank

A young Palestinian man has been shot dead after he stabbed three Israelis near their settlement, south of this West Bank city, the Israeli Army and the Palestinian Health Ministry said.

N Korea returns remains of US troops

North Korea handed over the remains of the American troops, killed in the Korean War on Friday morning.Hailing the move as a significant step, the White House, in a statement said that it was "encouraged by North Korea's actions and the momentum for positive change.""A US Air Force C-17 aircraft containing remains of fallen service members has departed Wonsan, North Korea. It is accompanied by service members from United Nations Command Korea and technical experts from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency," the White House said.As per CNN, the US also praised North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for"fulfilling part of the commitment he made to President Donald Trump to return fallen American service members."The Pyongyang's move to repatriate the remains of Americans from the 950-53 war was a part of the agreement which was signed between the US President and North Korean leader at their landmark summit in Singapore in June 2018.As many as 35,000 US troops were killed on the Korean ...

N. Korea returns US war remains

North Korea has returned remains believed to be of US troops killed during the Korean War, the latest move in the cautious diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang.

Maratha quota stir: Injured protester dies in Mumbai hospital

A protester, who was injured in the violence during the Maratha quota stir in adjoining Navi Mumbai, has succumbed to his injuries at the government-run JJ Hospital here. Hospital Dean Dr Mukund Tayade told PTI that 25-year-old Rohan Todkar had sustained multiple injuries on his head, hands and legs during the violence at Kopar Khairane on Wednesday. He was shifted to J J Hospital yesterday and was kept in the intensive care unit, but succumbed to his injuries yesterday, Tayade said. Around 20 policemen, including eight officers, were injured in stone-pelting by protesters at Kopar Khairane and Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday during the bandh called by Maratha organisations to demand quota for the community in government jobs and education. Over 150 vehicles, including 20 belonging to police, were damaged in the violence. Nine persons were injured when police caned protesters and fired pellets and rubber bullets on the violent mob, police had said. Police had ...

Suspected militants decamp with 4 rifles

Suspected militants barged into a police post guarding a politician's residence in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district and decamped with four service rifles tonight. The militants barged into the police picket guarding house of Mohammad Shafi Banday at Bona Bazar and took away four rifles from there, a police official said. A police spokesperson said initial probe suggests complicity of banned Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. A search operation was underway in the nearby areas, the spokesperson said, adding that the circumstances leading to the incident were being ascertained.