Page 508 - War Conflict
Syria rebels begin leaving zone near Golan: State media
Hardline rebels and civilians began leaving a southwestern sliver of Syria near the Israeli-annexed Golan today under a surrender deal, state media, as the evacuations turned deadly with a car accident. The transfers come under a deal agreed this week between Russia and Syrian rebels in Quneitra province that will restore state control over the sensitive zone. Rebels will hand over territory they control in Quneitra and the neighbouring buffer zone with the Golan Heights. The deal also provides for the evacuation to northern Syria of any rebels and jihadist fighters who refuse to live under government control. Today afternoon, buses began taking civilians and armed fighters out of opposition-held territory through the town of Jaba, state television said. It said they would be taken north to Idlib which is under jihadist and rebel control. The channel earlier reported more than 50 buses were prepared to ferry people north. Vehicles had been arriving in Syria's south since yesterday, ...
Maharashtra govt announces Rs 21,222-crore special package for Vidarbha, Marathwada
The BJP-led Maharashtra government today announced a special package of Rs 21,222 crore for the underdeveloped Vidarbha and Marathwada regions of the state. The state's Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar told the Legislative Assembly that the government would also set up a special facility in Nagpur to monitor the implementation of the package. The focus would be on the development of industries, irrigation facilities, agriculture and tourism in these two regions, he said. As part of the package, a milk collection network and processing facilities would be created, Mungantiwar said, adding that a new government milk brand "Gondavana" would be created on the lines of the Mahananda brand. A plant will be set up in Gadchiroli district to manufacture products under the brand name. A "skill university" would be set up at Aurangabad, while hostels would be constructed in all 19 districts of Vidarbha and Marathwada, the finance minister said. A medical college would be set up on a ...
Unearthed explosives shifted to govt godown
In a relief to local residents, the huge cache of explosives and arms unearthed near here nearly a month ago was today shifted to a government explosives' godown in neighbouring Sivaganga district amid tight security, police said. The explosives, including land mines and grenades, were loaded in a vehicle in a day-long operation supervised by Ramanathapuram PrincipalDistrictandSessionsJudge A. Kayalvizhi, officials of the Petroleum and Explosives Organisation and police personnel. A court in Ramanathapuram had earlier this week allowed a police plea for shifting the explosives, recovered from the backyard of a house at Thangachimadam while digging for a septic tank on June 25. The explosives, kept near the site itself all these days, were shifted to Sivaganga, over 120 km from here, for safe keeping at the godown before being defused, police said. Earlier, a Deputy Controller of Explosives of the Petroleum and Explosives Organisation after inspecting the explosives had .
Macron security officer in custody over violent video
A security officer for French President Emmanuel Macron was taken into police custody on Friday and will be dismissed from his job after he was filmed hitting and stamping on a man at the edge of a Paris demonstration while dressed as a police officer.
Naxalite killed in Bihar
A naxalite was killed in an exchange of fire with the security forces in Bihar's Jamui district, police said. A CRPF Cobra battalion was carrying out combing operation in Bhelua jungle in the district when the naxalites fired at them, Superintendent of Police J Jalareddy said. The security forces returned the fire in which one naxalite was killed, the SP said, adding that one SLR rifle and four magazines were recovered from the possession of the deceased naxalite.
Hindus acted like Taliban during Babri Masjid demolition: Advocate Dhawan
Rajeev Dhawan, a lawyer of one of the Muslim parties on Friday observed that "Hindus acted like Taliban" on December 6, 1992, when Babri Masjid was demolished in Ayodhya.His statement comes during the hearing of the Ayodhya case in the Supreme Court."Hindus acted like Taliban on that day. Whatever happened on December 6 was an act of terrorism," he said.Earlier, Dhawan had courted controversy by comparing the destruction of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya to the destruction of Buddha statue at Bamiyan, Afghanistan, and told the apex court that "Hindu Taliban" had destroyed the Babri Masjid.In today's hearing, a lawyer complained to the Bench about how advocate Dhawan compared Hindus to the Taliban.To this, Dhawan said that he meant every word and December 1992 incident, was an instance of "Hindu terror".Dhawan further stated that the mosque was there since 1526 till it was destroyed in 1992, December 6."Was there a temple there then? I think, No. They (Hindus) were given the right to worship .
Youngest Battle of Britain pilot Geoffrey Wellum dies
Geoffrey Wellum, the youngest Spitfire pilot to fly in the Battle of Britain during the World War II, has died, a media report said today. The 96-year-old veteran airman and former squadron leader who was just 18 when he joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in August 1939 died at his Cornwall home, the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust announced. Members of the charity's staff and volunteers had been "much saddened by the news," the Trust's secretary Patrick Tootal said. "Only this week Sqn Ldr Wellum had been talking enthusiastically about attending the Memorial Service at Westminster Abbey on September 16," Tootal added. One of the "Few", the decorated veteran airman was approaching his 97th birthday, 'Evening Standard' reported. Being the youngest Spitfire, Wellum went on to serve with 92 Squadron and his first missions included the "dogfights" above London and the Home Counties for which the battle became known. He was awarded the 'Distinguished Flying Cross' and was promoted to Flight
Afghanistan probes civilian casualties in military operation: defence ministry
Afghan authorities are probing reports that 14 civilians were killed or wounded during a military operation, the defence ministry said today, with several officials saying women and children were among the victims. The casualties were caused by an air strike in the northern province of Kunduz on Thursday, Char Dara district governor Zalmai Farooqi and villagers told AFP. Villager Haji Shireen said 13 people, all women or children, were killed in the air strike that also destroyed some houses in Robat village. An AFP reporter said he saw 12 bodies when he visited the village on Thursday. Kunduz regional hospital head Naeem Mangal said the bodies of 12 women and children had been brought to the medical facility. "Women and children were martyred," Farooqi said, blaming "foreign" forces for the air strike. US Forces in Afghanistan did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment. The defence ministry statement did not specify if the casualties were caused by an air strike. "A ...
6 injured in roadside bomb targeting security convoy in Pak
A roadside motorcycle bomb today exploded near a security convoy in Pakistan's Balochistan province, injuring at least six persons and seriously damaging nearby shops and cars, police said, the latest attack to rock the restive region. A vehicle belonging to a law enforcement agency was the target of the blast, Chaman Station House Officer Gul Muhammad said. The blast on the Mall Road of Chaman town in the south-western province was caused by a remote-controlled motorcycle bomb parked at the side. The bomb was detonated when the vehicle passed by. Vehicles parked near the site of attack were damaged with windscreens shattered as a result of the impact. The shops situated near the main road caught fire as the explosion jolted the city. Police said that at least six people were injured in the attack and were shifted to a nearby hospital. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. Security situation in the Balochistan has deteriorated ahead of elections on July 25. Last week, .
Buses arrive to ferry Syria rebels out of zone near Golan: Monitor
Buses were gathering today in a southwestern sliver of Syria near the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights to transfer rebel fighters and civilians to opposition territory further north, a monitor said. The transfers come under a surrender deal agreed this week between Russia and Syrian rebels in Quneitra province that will see the sensitive zone fall back under state control. Rebels will hand over territory they control in Quneitra and the neighbouring buffer zone with the Israeli-occupied Golan, a war monitor and a rebel source told AFP. The deal included safe passage to northern Syria for any hardliners who refuse to live under government control, and buses began entering the area today to carry out the transfers, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "The buses reached government-controlled territory in Quneitra on Thursday, and today they began crossing into opposition areas for the evacuation," said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman. He said it remained unclear how ...
Women from ethnic armed group killed in Myanmar's east
Several women were among those killed in Myanmar's restive eastern region in renewed clashes between the army and an ethnic rebel group, with both sides providing conflicting accounts of the battle. Fighting broke out on July 11 between soldiers and Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) insurgents near Awelaw village in remote Shan state near the Chinese border, both sides confirmed. The military announced today that eight people, mostly women, were killed in the clashes. "Among the TNLA insurgents, the bodies of three men and five women in camouflage uniforms were seized," the post on the Commander-in-Chief's Facebook page stated. A different account of the clashes released on Monday by the TNLA, however, described how six women medics were arrested after an ambush by troops before being "killed brutally". The area, in Myanmar's restive eastern frontier, is off-limits making it difficult to verify either side's claims. In recent years, women have been swelling the ranks of some ...
Official: Taliban attacks kill 8 police in east Afghanistan
A district governor in Afghanistan says Taliban fighters launched a wave of attacks in eastern Ghazni province, killing at least eight police and wounding seven others. Saeeb Khan Elham said today that insurgents launched a wave of attacks on compounds and police security posts in the Qarabagh district late the night before. He said government forces meant to reinforce the district were attacked in a Taliban ambush that included roadside mines and were unable to help. Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack in a telephone interview with AP. He says 16 police were killed and a government compound in the district damaged.
Vaishno Devi pilgrim dies in J&K's Reasi; fresh Amarnath batch leaves for Kashmir
An 85-year-old pilgrim died near the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, while a fresh batch of 1,753 pilgrims today left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp for the valley to perform the annual Amarnath Yatra, officials said. The pilgrim, Udhay Ram Agarwal from Odissa, was returning from the shrine when he suddenly fell unconscious near Battery point along the new track last night, they said. The officials said he was shifted to the nearby Bhawan dispensary but was declared brought dead by doctors. Meanwhile, a fresh batch of 1,753 pilgrims, including 369 women and 50 sadhus, left the base camp in Jammu to join the ongoing yatra to the 3,880-metre high holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas, they said. They said the pilgrims left in a convoy of 56 vehicles under tight security. While 1,152 pilgrims, including 175 women and 50 sadhus, opted for the traditional 36-km Pahalgam track, 601 pilgrims are performing the yatra via the shortest 12-km Baltal ...
1,753 pilgrims leave for Amarnath
A batch of 1,753 pilgrims left Jammu for the Kashmir Valley on Friday to perform the Amarnath Yatra, police said.
Helicopter mishap turns Army medical drill into real deal
A medical evacuation drill at a California military base turned into a real emergency when two US Army Blackhawk helicopters participating in the exercise blew down four large tents and injured 22 Army Reserve soldiers, officials said today. No one was seriously injured in the mishap Wednesday night at Fort Hunter Liggett, though two soldiers had to be airlifted to a hospital for treatment as others troops provided medical care. "They were equipped and trained to immediately jump in, and they were quickly able to respond to the situation," said Master Sgt. Valerie Resciniti, an Army spokeswoman. Injuries included cuts and bruises, sore shoulders, injured limbs and non-serious head trauma, Col. David Heflin said. That wasn't what was supposed to happen as the 228th Combat Support Hospital out of San Antonio, Texas, participated in the medical evacuation training exercises happening throughout the service this month. The military was investigating why the choppers were so close to the ..
Mastung blast: Suicide bomber identified
The suicide bomber, who was responsible for the election rally suicide attack at Mastung in Balochistan last week, has been identified as Hafiz Nawaz, a resident of Abbottabad.On July 13, at least 149 people, including Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) leader Siraj Raisani, were killed and over 200 injured after a suicide bomber blew himself up during an election rally in Mastung, making it one of the single largest terror attacks in the history of Pakistan, Geo TV reported.According to the media reports, the Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the Mastung attack.Briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Interior on Thursday, Inspector-General (IG) Balochistan Mohsin Hassan Butt said that the suicide bomber had travelled from Abbottabad to Sindh and was in contact with a banned terrorist organisation."The suicide bomber was a part of Daesh (IS) and had been affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi as well. The facilitators of the attack have also been detected," Butt was quoted
Pak identifies Mastung suicide bomber as jihadist who fought in Afghanistan
Pakistani authorities today identified the suicide bomber, who killed 149 people at an election meeting in the troubled Balochistan province last week, as a jihadist who moved to Afghanistan two years ago to fight foreign forces. Deputy Inspector General Counter-Terrorism Department Aitzaz Ahmed Goraya said the bomber was identified as Hafeez Nawaz, a resident of Mirpur Sakro, 33-km away from Thatta. He said the bomber was identified from his hand which was found at the scene of the blast. "The suicide bomber was seated in the fourth row during the corner meeting. He stepped forward to stand near the stage before detonating his explosives," the officer said. The attacker's family "confirmed their son had been in Afghanistan for the last two years to wage jihad against the foreign forces", Goraya said. The blast on July 13 killed 149 people and left some 200 others injured, making it one of the deadliest attacks in the country's history. Nawab Siraj Raisani, a candidate from PB-35 ...
Tripura hawker lyncing: 2 detained
Tripura Police today detained two persons in connection with the lynching of a hawker at Murabari area in Mohanpur sub-division on June 26. However, they were released after interrogation for some time, Assistant Inspector General of Police Smriti Ranjan Das said. Uttar Pradesh-based garment hawker Jahir Khan Qureshi was lynched by a mob inside a camp of the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) the state's own counter-insurgency force, at Murabari on June 28. The mob violence was triggered over rumour of the presence of child lifting gang following the murder of an 11-year-old boy at Mohanpur sub-division in West Tripura on June 26. Two more persons were lynched by mobs at Bishalgarh in Sipahijala district and Sabroom in South Tripura on the same day. They include Sukanta Chakraborty, who was hired by the government for campaign against rumour mongering.
4 woman among 8 Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh
Eight Maoists, including four women, were gunned down in a gun battle with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district early on Thursday, police said.
4 women among 8 Maoists gunned down in Chhatisgarh
Eight Maoists, including four women, were shot dead on Thursday in an encounter with security forces in an area adjoing the border of Dantewada-Bijapur districts in Chhattisgarh, an official said. Several sophisticated firearms were recovered from them.