Page 506 - War Conflict
Suicide attack at Kabul airport leaves 11 dead, 14 wounded: officials
A suicide bomber killed at least 11 people and wounded 14 at the entrance to Kabul international airport today, officials said, as scores gathered to welcome home Afghan Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum from exile. Senior government officials, political leaders and supporters were leaving the airport after greeting the powerful ethnic Uzbek leader and former warlord when the explosion happened. Dostum, clad in a Western suit and sunglasses and travelling in an armoured vehicle, was unharmed, said his spokesman Bashir Ahmad Tayanj. Kabul Police spokesman Hashmat Stanikzai said 11 people had been killed and 14 wounded. He did not give a breakdown. The suicide bomber was on foot, interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said, adding that civilians, including a child, and security force members were among the casualties. Dostum, who is linked to a catalogue of human rights abuses in Afghanistan, was mobbed like a celebrity as he left the chartered plane from Turkey where he has lived ...
Suicide attack near Kabul airport leaves 10 dead or wounded: officials
A suicide bomber killed or wounded at least 10 people at the entrance to Kabul international airport today, officials said, as scores gathered to welcome home Afghan Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum from exile. Senior government officials, political leaders and supporters were leaving the airport after greeting the powerful ethnic Uzbek leader and former warlord when the explosion happened. Dostum, clad in a Western suit and sunglasses and travelling in an armoured vehicle, was unharmed, said his spokesman Bashir Ahmad Tayanj. "We can confirm 10 people have been killed or wounded in the explosion caused by a suicide attacker on foot," said interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish, without giving a breakdown. He said civilians including a child and security force members were among the casualties. Dostum, who is linked to a catalogue of human rights abuses in Afghanistan, was mobbed like a celebrity as he left the chartered plane from Turkey where he has lived since May 2017. His ...
Rights group calls on Iraq to declare detention centers
- Human Rights Watch has called on Iraq's government to declare the number of detention facilities it maintains and not to hold suspects without informing their families. In a report issued on Sunday, the New York-based group says Iraq's National Security Services runs a detention facility in Mosul. It said when granted access to the center on July 4, it was holding 427 men suspected of links to the Islamic State group. An NNS officer said those prisoners were previously held in a house before a new prison block was built following "pressure from Baghdad." It added that the NSS first denied running detention centers, but later acknowledged it. HRW says the cells at the Mosul facility are clean and air-conditioned, but extremely overcrowded.
Mastung suicide bomber was seminary student: official
The suicide bomber who recently killed nearly 150 people at an election meeting in Pakistan's troubled Balochistan province had studied at a religious seminary in Karachi before tarvelling to Afghanistan for militant training, police confirmed today. Hafeez Abbasi struck at an election meeting of the Baluchistan Awami party in Mastung on July 13, killing nearly 150 people and injuring some 200 others in one of the deadliest attacks in Pakistan's history. Nawab Siraj Raisani, a candidate from PB-35 (Mastung), was among those killed in the attack, claimed by the Islamic State terror group. "We uncovered the identity of the bomber and his details by matching finger prints of an unclaimed body in the Mastung bomb blast," an official in the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Sindh Police said. "We matched it with the record available with the National Database and Registration Authority. It was confirmed that the alleged suicide bomber was a resident of Gharibabad Mohalla in Dhabeji, ...
Miscreants loot Rs 25 lakh from ATMs
Miscreants looted at least Rs 25 lakh cash from four ATMs of different banks in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, police said today. The burglars looted the currency notes stacked in the ATMs at Baripada town last night by using gas cutters, said Abhimanyu Nayak, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Baripada. While two ATMs of Axis Bank located at Station Bazar and Gosala Chhak were targeted, those of United Bank of India and Bank of India were looted at Palbani and Podastia respectively, the SDPO said. A case has been registered in connection with the incident in Baripada Town Police Station and investigation is in progress, Nayak added.
Pak candidate killed in suicide blast
A former provincial minister and senior leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was today killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up near his car in the troubled Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, police said. Ikramullah Gandapur, a candidate for the provincial assembly seat from PK-99 constituency, was on his way to an election meeting when the bomber targeted his vehicle in Dera Ismail Khan district. His driver was also killed in the attack while three bodyguards were badly injured, Dera Ismail Khan DPO Manzoor Afridi said. Gandapur had sustained critical wounds in the suicide blast this morning and was rushed to a Peshawar hospital by helicopter, however he succumbed to his injuries during treatment after fighting for his life for over four hours. Gandapur had served as the provincial agricultural minister in the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. He was elected through a by-election on the Dera Ismail Khan PK-67 seat, after it was vacated following the death of his brother and law .
Fadnavis cancels visit to Pandharpur temple over proposed Maratha community stir
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said he has cancelled his visit to a temple in Pandharpur town for a key religious event tomorrow in view of the proposed protest seeking reservation for Maratha community in government jobs. Explaining the reason for calling off his visit, Fadnavis said he feared for the lives of nearly 10 lakh people expected to be at the temple town in Solapur district tomorrow on the occasion of 'Ashadhi Ekadashi'. He said if throwing stones at him can get the reservation for Maratha community, he was ready for it and that he took the decision of not to offer prayers at the temple to avoid any law and order problem. As part of a long-standing tradition, the chief minister every year offers prayers at the temple dedicated to Lord Vitthal and Rukmini in Pandharpur, located around 400 km from here, on the occasion of 'Ashadhi Ekadashi'. The auspicious day of performing puja is decided as per the lunar calendar and this year it falls on July ...
Return car festival held in Puri amid tight security
Lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad witnessed Lord Jagannath's 'Bahuda Yatra' - the return car festival - which was held in this seaside pilgrim town amid tight security today. The three deities - Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and their sister Devi Subhadra end their annual nine-day sojourn to Sri Gundicha Temple, their birth place, and return to Sreemandir or Shri Jagannath temple on three majestic wooden chariots during 'Bahuda Yatra'. Special rituals were performed before the deities were taken out of the Sri Gundicha temple and placed on the three colourfully decorated chariots for the return journey, amid chants of 'Jai Jagannath' and 'Hari Bol'. The deities were taken to their chariots in an elaborate ritual called 'Pahandi' to the beating of gongs, cymbals and blowing of conch shells. Lord Jagannath was ensconced in the largest of the three chariots - the 45-feet high 'Nandighosh', Balabhadra in 44-feet high 'Taladhwaja' and ...
South Africa taxi shooting kills 11
South African police said on Sunday that they are investigating a deadly shooting at a taxi which led to 11 deaths.
Mega recruitment drive: Govt to hire over 54,000 jawans in CAPFs
In one of the biggest recruitment drives in central security forces, the government has decided to recruit over 54,000 jawans in armed police forces like the CRPF, BSF and ITBP among others this year. Out of the total 54,953 vacancies advertised by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), the maximum are for the country's largest paramilitary force-- the CRPF at 21,566 posts. A total of 47,307 vacancies are for men and 7,646 are for women in the constable (general duty) cadre in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Assam Rifles (posts to be called Rifleman), National Investigation Agency and the Secretariat Security Force. "The central forces, called the central armed police forces (CAPFs) and central police organisations (CPOs), are set for further expansion by raising of new battalions and hence these new vacancies have been advertised by the ...
Pakistan: PTI candidate critically injured in suicide blast
Three days before the general election in Pakistan, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) candidate Ikramullah Gandapur was critically injured in a suicide blast in Dera Ismail Khan city on Sunday.The attack took place in the Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan city, DI Khan DPO Manzoor Afridi told Dawn.Gandapur is representing PTI on a provincial assembly seat from the PK-99 constituency.Quoting sources, Dawn reported that Gandapur's guard as well as the driver were also killed in the attack. Gandapur is undergoing treatment at the Combined Military Hospital.The police said that the PTI candidate was targeted near his residence when he was going to a political convention.Reacting to the incident, PTI chief Imran Khan tweeted: "Strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack against Ikram Khan Gandapur and his convoy today. May Allah grant Ikram and the other injured a speedy recovery".This comes following a suicide attack during an election rally in Mastung last week in which 149 people ...
Terrorist killed in Kulgam belonged to LeT
The Jammu and Kashmir police confirmed on Sunday that one of the terrorists who was gunned down earlier in the day belonged to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).Speaking to the media, Director General of Police (DGP) SP Vaid informed that two AK-47 rifles were also recovered from the terrorists."These terrorists were involved in abduction and killing of one of the police constables, Mohammad Saleem on Saturday. Bodies of the terrorists and two AK-47 rifles have been recovered from their possession. One terrorist was associated with LeT, other two were locals," he said.Three terrorists were gunned down in an encounter with security forces in Wani Mohalla area of Kulgam's Khudwani locality.
Gunmen in South Africa ambush taxi drivers; 11 killed
South African police say gunmen have opened fire on a minibus carrying members of a taxi drivers' association, killing 11 people and critically wounding four others. Police Brig. Jay Naicker says the victims of yesterday's night attack had attended the funeral of a colleague and were returning home when the ambush occurred. He says the attack happened between the towns of Colenso and Weenen in KwaZulu-Natal province and the victims were from Gauteng province. Police are investigating possible motives. Tensions between groups of taxi drivers vying for the same routes sometimes spill into deadly violence in South Africa. South African media reported the deaths of 10 people in violence related to rivalries among minibus taxi drivers in Cape Town over one weekend in May.
Three LeT militants who killed constable shot dead
Three militants, who tortured and killed a trainee police constable on Saturday, were killed on Sunday in a gunfight with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, police said.
Militants behind killing of J-K constable eliminated in encounter
Three militants, including a Pakistani, involved in the abduction and killing of a police constable were killed by security forces in an encounter in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir today, the police said here. Constable Mohammad Saleem Shah, who was on leave, was abducted by militants from his residence in Mutalhama area of Kulgam in south Kashmir on Friday. His body was recovered from a nursery near village Redwani Payeen yesterday. The body bore severe torture marks indicating that he was brutally tortured to death by the militants, a police spokesman said. The spokesman said a joint patrol of security forces launched searches at Redwani area in Kulgam district in south Kashmir this morning after receiving credible inputs about the presence of the militants in a cluster of houses. As the security forces advanced, hiding terrorists fired resulting in a brief encounter in which three terrorists were killed. No collateral damage occurred during the encounter, the spokesman ...
American officials meet former Afghan Taliban leaders: report
American officials are meeting former Afghan Taliban leaders amid intensifying efforts by the Trump administration to seek a negotiated settlement of the country's longest war, according to a media report. The talks have occurred at undisclosed locations in Qatar, Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates, the NBC News claimed, citing Taliban sources. Quoting one negotiator, it said Taliban delegations had been joined by "never more than five" Americans for a series of meetings in hotel suites in Doha, Qatar. The gatherings were "very friendly" with "tea and cookies" being served, the report said, Quoting the "Doha meeting participant". The negotiator said security is "very tight in and outside," with hotel staff not allowed to enter. According to the report, the Taliban often use a "network of former commanders and political leaders" as interlocutors. Some of those used as interlocutors have previously been imprisoned by the US or Afghanistan and no longer have active roles. The ...
J&K: Security forces gun down 3 terrorists in Kulgam, gunbattle underway
Three terrorists have been gunned down in an ongoing encounter in Wani Mohalla area of Kulgam's Khudwani.At present, a heavy gunbattle is underway between terrorists and security forces. Three weapons have also been recovered from the encounter site.In a tweet, J&K DGP SP Vaid said that J&K Police, Army and CRPF were involved in the operation.Vaid also informed that the terrorists trapped at the encounter site were behind the killing of Police constable Mohammad Saleem.He wrote, 'Terrorists group that tortured our colleague CT Mohd Saleem of Kulgam & killed him brutally are all trapped in an encounter with J&K Police/Army/CRPF in Khudwani Kulgam.'The operation is underway and more details are awaited in this regard.
Maha govt employees to get 7th pay panel salaries from Diwali
The government employees in Maharashtra are set for a pay hike from Diwali this year. The state government will implement recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission for its employees from Diwali (which falls in November this year), finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar told PTI today. "The Seventh Pay Commission will be our Diwali gift to employees," he said. The decision will benefit 19 lakh government employees across the state. It will put a financial burden of Rs 21,530 crore on the state exchequer, Mungantiwar said. "The finance department made provisions of Rs 10,000 crore in its annual budget presented in March this year," he said. The remaining provisions will be made through supplementary demands or in the next year's budget, he said. The government is also considering the demand for granting child care leave (CCL) for two years (730 days) to women government employees and 15 days paternal leave for male staffers, Mungantiwar said. The state government is also ..
Three militants killed in encounter in Kulgam
Three militants behind the abduction and killing of a police constable were today killed in an encounter with security forces in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, Director General of Police (DGP) S P Vaid said here. Constable Saleem Shah was abducted by militants from his residence in Mutalhama area of Kulgam in south Kashmir on Friday and his body, bearing severe torture marks, was recovered yesterday. 3 (three) bodies of terrorists recovered with three weapons so far from encounter site, Vaid wrote on Twitter. Earlier, the DGP said the group behind the abduction and killing of the constable were trapped in the encounter at Khudwani in Kulgam district of south Kashmir. Terrorists group that tortured our colleague CT Mohd Saleem of Kulgam & killed him brutally are all trapped in an encounter with J&K Police/Army/CRPF in Khudwani Kulgam, he said. The encounter began this morning as security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Khudwani after receiving specific ..
Gunfight starts in Kashmir
A gunfight started on Sunday between a group of militants and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district.