Page 546 - War Conflict
Afghan-Taliban peace talks stalemate to end soon
Afghanistan's Presidential Palace on Friday said that the peace talks stalemate between government and Taliban will end in the near future as the Kabul administration is adamant to establish peace in the regions.The spokesman for the Presidential Palace, Shahussain Murtazawi believes that people of Taliban are interested in joining the peace negotiations process instead of living in the war-weary situation."In the past even Pakistanis used to say that (their) political leaders are ready for talks, but the military officials are not. But currently Taliban announce that they are tired of war and are ready for talks. This itself is a fundamental change," Tolo News quoted Murtazawi as saying.Taliban, however, has not officially showed any interest in peace talks with Afghan government.NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday said the organisation is not going to leave Afghanistan and that Taliban should know they will not win on the battlefield.A negotiating group has also been formed in ..
Civilians flee combat zones around Yemen's Hodeida
Clashes between Yemeni government forces and Huthi rebels around the Red Sea port city of Hodeida eased today as more civilians fled the combat zones for fear of a fierce showdown, a UN humanitarian agency said. "More people are fleeing areas of conflict and seeking shelter in safer locations, including in the capital Sanaa," 150 kilometres (95 miles) to the northeast and also under rebel control, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement. It said some of the displaced had arrived in the capital but specific figures were not yet available. On Thursday, OCHA said more than 30,000 residents of Hodeida and the province of the same name had fled their homes this month. The latest violence was "at a less severe scale, as a general decrease in clashes, bombardments and airstrikes has been reported", said OCHA. "Humanitarian partners continue to respond to the needs of the displaced population" with the provision of food, water and health services in .
India to host Sri Lankan military personnel, their families
In an innovative step towards strengthening military ties, India will host Sri Lankan military personnel and their families early next week, the Army said today. During the recent visit of Army chief Bipin Rawat to Sri Lanka, a proposal was discussed for the visit of Sri Lankan military personnel of all three services and their families to the Officers Training Academy in Gaya and the Buddhist religious site at Bodh Gaya. The Sri Lankan side was extremely enthusiastic while the Ministry of Defence cleared the out of the box proposal from the Army chief on priority, Army Spokesperson Aman Anand said. On June 24, an Indian Air Force aircraft C17 would arrive at Colombo and depart with 160 people, all ranks and families of three services of Sri Lanka. The visitors would visit OTA Gaya and religious places, including Bodh Gaya on June 25. They would return on same aircraft to Colombo on June 26. It's an achievement of the military diplomacy where all stakeholders have worked overtime to ..
Gorakhpur terror funding mastermind sent to 7-day remand
Gorakhpur terror funding mastermind Ramesh Shah has been sent to seven-day police custody.However, his interrogation will face few restrictions as he suffered from Dengue recently, an official release noted.Shah, also known as Tyagi, was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) with the help of Maharashtra ATS on Tuesday.Known as the mastermind behind the network, Shah was booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).He was reportedly in constant touch with Pakistan and the Middle East and received money through various accounts..
Indian Army contingent in UN South Sudan force awarded
The Indian Army on Friday said that the 7 Garhwal Rifles Infantry Battalion Group, which is part of the UN peacekeeping force in South Sudan, was awarded the United Nations Medal for "selfless service".
Qatar army's Chief of Staff visits National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla
The Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces today visited National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and the headquarters of the Southern Army Command, Pune. A delegation led by Lieutenant General (Pilot) Ghanim Bin Shaheen Al-Ghanim, who arrived in India on June 19, also visited the Air Force Station, Lohegaon yesterday, where they were briefed by the Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station, Lohegaon. Ghanim interacted with Lieutenant General Manoj Pande, the Chief of Staff of the Southern Command and they discussed the best practices being followed by the two armies. On June 20, Ghanim had met with Admiral Sunil Lanba, who is the also the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and Air Force Chief B S Dhanoa here. The delegation left for Qatar after visiting the National Defence Academy. India and Qatar have an Agreement on Defence Cooperation in the fields of specialised training, exchange of information and joint production of defence equipment.
Indian contingent, part of UN peacekeeping mission, awarded
The 7 Garhwal Rifles Infantry Battalion Group was awarded the United Nations Medal for "selfless service" in the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, the Army said today. The ceremony, held yesterday, was attended by a number of military and civil dignitaries, including Brigadier General Mohammed Al Masoom, Commander United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), and a host of senior commanders of various nationalities. The parade was reviewed by Major General Bayarsaikhan Dashdondog, Deputy Force Commander for United Nations Mission in South Sudan, the Army said in a statement. The two-hour ceremony saw immaculate drill parade by the Indian contingent led by Major Aman Lamba. In his message on the occasion, Major General Bayarsaikhan Dashdondog, Deputy Force Commander, complimented the Indian Battalion for carrying out numerous operational tasks with utmost professionalism and dedication to the UN mandate. He further emphasised the legacy of supreme service and sacrifice by the ...
Taliban kidnap 43 Afghans including road construction workers
Taliban fighters kidnapped 43 people from a road construction camp during a raid in southern Afghanistan that also killed four security forces, an official said today, in the latest fighting since the group's ceasefire ended. Militants attacked the camp in Spin Boldak district in Kandahar province overnight, provincial governor spokesman Dawood Ahmadi told AFP. Among the 43 kidnapped were technical workers, cooks and drivers. Four police were killed and another wounded after security forces sent to rescue the workers exchanged gunfire with the Taliban, Ahmadi added. An employee of the Afghan road construction company also confirmed that 43 people had been kidnapped. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, but told AFP that the original target had been a police checkpoint. Police fled the checkpoint and went to the camp where the construction workers were sleeping. The Taliban pursued the police but, unable to identify who was who, decided to kidnap "many" people, the group .
Tracking chips to be installed in Amarnath-bound vehicles: IGP
Tracking chips will be installed in vehicles bound for the annual Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir, scheduled to commence next week, as part of foolproof security arrangements to ensure an incident-free pilgrimage. Special counters have been set up at Lakhanpur, the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir bordering Punjab. All the vehicles carrying the Amarnath pilgrims will be installed with tracking chips to keep an eye on their movement, Inspector General of Police, Jammu, S D Singh Jamwal told PTI. The 60-day yatra to the 3,880 metre high holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas is scheduled to begin on June 28. The first batch of the pilgrims will leave Bagwati Nagar base camp from here on June 27. Jamwal said such a technology was being used for the first time which would help the police to keep an eye on the vehicles once they leave for the twin base camps of Baltal in Ganderbal and Pahalgam in Anantnag the twin tracks leading to the cave shrine which houses the ...
IS chief among 6 killed in J&K, terror group's presence confirmed (Roundup)
Six people, including the IS chief in the Kashmir Valley and three of his associates, were killed and over 30 injured in separate incidents of violence in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, even as security officials for the first time confirmed presence of the Islamist terror group in the state.
9 security personnel injured in militant attack in JK's Pulwama
Nine security personnel, including five CRPF jawans, were injured in a militant attack in the Tral area of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district today, police said. Militants lobbed a grenade and opened fire on the personnel from a crowd when they were busy with law and order duties on Tral road, a police spokesman said. He said nine security personnel five CRPF jawans and four cops - were injured in the attack. Security forces' personnel exercised maximum restraint after being attacked to prevent any civilian casualty, the spokesman said. He said the injured were admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Indonesian cleric sentenced to death over 2016 IS-claimed terror attack
A radical Indonesian cleric was sentenced to death today for masterminding a 2016 Islamic State terror attack that saw a suicide bomber blow himself up at a Starbucks cafe. Aman Abdurrahman was found guilty of ordering the attack that killed four in Jakarta, as heavily armed police guarded his sentencing at at court in the capital. It was the first attack claimed by the international terror network in Southeast Asia. "(The defendant) has been proven to have committed a criminal act of terrorism," said judge Akhmad Jaini, who also cited Abdurrahman's involvement in other deadly plots. "He will be sentenced to death." Abdurrahman -- who was already in jail on a separate terror conviction -- gestured to his legal team and briefly kissed the floor, as machine gun-toting guards stood nearby. His lawyer, Asludin Hatjani, said the ruling was "unfair", citing a lack of evidence connecting Abdurrahman to the attack, which he was accused of organising from inside prison. Executions are carried .
Security forces arrest two Maoists in Odisha
Two Maoists, allegedly involved in the killing of a tribal man in Kalimela area of Malkangiri district two days ago, were arrested today, a senior police officer said. The ultras, aged around 25 years, were caught by security personnel from a forest near Sudhakunda, Malkangiri Superintendent of Police, Jagmohan Meena said. The SP, who declined to disclose the identity of the duo, said the rebels were nabbed during a combing operation launched by the security personnel in the forest area in the aftermath of the gunning down of Ganga Madkami on Wednesday night at Sudhakunda village. A group of around 20 red rebels had forcibly taken Madkami, aged around 30, from his house to a deserted place on the outskirt of the village and shot him dead. Apart from their involvement in the killing of Madkami, the two Maoists were also involved in shooting at a tribal village headman and injuring him in the district on June 11, police said The SP said investigation was in progress to ...
ISJK chief among four terrorists killed in Kashmir, cop and civilian dead
Police today killed four militants, including chief of the banned Islamic State Jammu and Kashmir (ISJK) Dawood Ahmed Sofi, in a remote mountain village in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, six days before the annual Amarnath Yatra begins, officials said. A policeman and a civilian were also killed in the exchange of fire between militants and security forces at Khiram village of Srigufwara tehsil, police said. The operation began before dawn at Khiram, 23 km from the main national highway and overlooking the tourist town of Pahalgam, after intelligence reports about the presence of militants in the area, police said. One of the militants killed was identified as Dawood Ahmed Sofi, who headed the ISIS affiliate ISJK and is believed to be involved in several cases of murder and stone pelting , he said. The other three, also believed to be with the ISJK, were identified as Aadil Rehman Bhat, Mohammad Ashraf Itoo and Majid Manzoor Dar, said Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) Swayam ..
CM Rawat condoles death of soldier in Naga attack
Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat today condoled the death of a soldier who was killed in an attack by Naga rebels at Jakhama in Nagaland. In a statement issued here, Rawat prayed to the almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss. The people of Uttarakhand are with the family of the martyr in this hour of grief, he said and assured his kin of all help from the government. Pargai (22), a soldier of 4 Kumaon Regiment, hailed from Bithoria near Haldwani in Nainital district.
Terrorists attack CRPF, police in J-K's Pulwama
Terrorists hurled grenades and fired upon a police and Central Reserve Police Force joint party near Tral bus stand here in Pulwama district.This comes a few hours after four terrorists were killed in an encounter in Anantnag district.As per an official release, the terrorists were gunned down in Anantnag's Srigufwara area during a search operation conducted jointly by the Army, CRPF, and Police personnel.Apart from the terrorists, one police personnel and one civilian were killed during the encounter.The slain terrorists, identified as Dawood Ahmad Sofi, Majid Manzoor Dar, Aadil Rehman Bhat, and Mohammad Ashraf Itoo, was reportedly active on social media and mostly attacked the policemen on duty at different places.Furthermore, one of the terrorists, Dawood Ahmad Sofi, was allegedly involved in an earlier attack which killed Assistant Sub-inspector Ghulam Mohammad and Head Constable Naseer Ahmad, as well as in a number of stone pelting cases.
Eight security men injured in J&K grenade attack
Eight security personnel were injured on Friday in a grenade attack by militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Tral town, police said.
Militants hurl grenade at security forces' vehicle in JK's Pulwama
Militants hurled a grenade at a security forces' vehicle in Tral area of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district today, injuring several people, police said. The ultras hurled the grenade in the main Tral chowk this afternoon, a police official said. Several people were injured in the grenade blast, he said, adding that further details were awaited.
London's Charing Cross station evacuated after bomb threat
A man accused of causing panic at the London's busiest Charing Cross tube station and falsely claiming to have a bomb was today detained, police said. The 38-year-old man was detained under the Mental Health Act and no weapon was found, they said. There was disruption to the mainline and London Underground services but all are now running normally. The station, which is one of London's busiest, had re-opened by 08:00 (local time), which was evacuated during the rush hour after the man climbed onto the rail tracks and claimed he had a bomb. The British Transport Police officers were called "after receiving reports of a man on the tracks claiming to have a bomb". A spokesperson said: "Officers from the Metropolitan Police and BTP specialist firearms officers also attended. "A 38-year old man was detained by officers and has been held under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act and taken to a place of safety," the spokesperson said. Witnesses described several police vehicles descending .
Afghan official says16 militia killed in Taliban attack
An Afghan official says Taliban fighters killed 16 militia loyal to the government in an early morning ambush in northern Badghis province. Abdul Aziz Beg, head of the Badghis Provincial Council, says the militia force came under attack early today as they arrived to help local police, who had been attacked by Taliban insurgents in the Ab Kamari district. In southern Kandahar province, Taliban fighters attacked a private Afghan construction company kidnapping 13 employees and 20 security personnel, said Zia Durrani, provincial police spokesman. Four border police were killed and one wounded in the fighting in Spin Boldak, near the border with Pakistan. The Taliban have stepped up attacks since ending a three-day cease fire last weekend and have rejected President Ashraf Ghani's offer to extend the truce.