Page 55 - War Conflict
Local IS commander among 4 killed by Afghan forces
At least four militants, including a local Islamic State (IS) commander, were killed in an operation carried out by Afghan Special Forces in Nangarhar province, local media reported on Saturday.According to Afghanistan's Interior Ministry, the operation was carried out in the Deh Bala district of the said province on Friday.Six other IS sympathisers sustained injuries during the operation, reported Sputnik.Nangarhar lies 120 kilometres east of capital Kabul. The province witnesses scenes of clashes between the security forces and IS militants from time to time. This has forced more than 9000 families living in the province to flee to safer places.Afghanistan is suffering from an unstable political, social, and security situation due to the activities of the Taliban and Islamic State. The Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) regularly conduct joint offensive operations to combat terrorism across the country.
Normalcy returns to Kashmir Valley after restrictions withdrawn
Life returned to normal in Kashmir on Sunday after two days of restrictions and shutdown in the wake of the killing of Zakir Musa the so-called head of an Al-Qaeda affiliate in the valley in an encounter with security forces in Pulwama district, officials said. They said there were no restrictions in place in any part of the valley on Sunday. Normalcy has returned to the valley as there is no strike today and no restrictions have been imposed anywhere, an official said. Officials said shops, fuel stations and other business establishments re-opened this morning while public transport also operated normally. The weekly flea market on the TRC Chowk-Batamaloo axis through the Lal Chowk city centre was also open, they said. Musa, the so-called head of the Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, was killed in an encounter with security forces at Dadsara village of Tral in the south Kashmir's Pulwama district Friday after forces launched a search operation on late Thursday evening following specific ...
Sri Lanka: 5 terror suspects arrested with Rs 1 bn in bank accounts
The bank accounts of five terror suspects, who were arrested a day earlier for close links with Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ), had funds of Rs 1 billion, a senior police official said.The five suspects were arrested in Horowpathana on Friday on suspicion of having links with the outlawed NTJ and its leader Zahran Hashim, who was behind the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka, The Daily Mirror reported.The official also said those among the arrested were a development officer attached to the Horowpathana Divisional Secretariat, a teacher of a government school in Horowpathana, two teachers of an Arabic college in Kiwulekada and a resident of Kebithigollewa.Police said the suspects had delivered extremist sermons in Anuradhapura and Trincomalee. They had received armed training at the Horowpathana jungle two years ago with the participation of several other individuals, the police added.The April 21 bombings took place at various locations across the country. .
South Africa: Cyril Ramaphosa takes oath; vows to continue fight corruption
Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday sworn-in for a five-year term as president of South Africa, with a promise to continue to fight against corruption.The leader took oath in front of some 30,000 people at a stadium here. Several regional leaders from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and elsewhere also attended the ceremony, Al Jazeera reports.Ramaphosa said, "A new era has dawned in our country. A brighter day is rising upon South Africa," and promised that the nation was beginning "a new era of hope and renewal"."The challenges our country face are huge and real. But they are not insurmountable. They can be solved. And I stand here today saying they are going to be solved," the President, 66, was quoted as saying.The African National Congress (ANC) party garnered 57.5 per cent votes in the parliamentary elections held on May 8. However, it was the party's weakest election showing since the ANC took power at the end of apartheid in 1994.Ramaphosa first took office last .
Explosion rocks Afghanistan's Spin Boldak, 1 civilian killed
At least one civilian was killed while two others were wounded when an explosion rocked the Spin Boldak district here on Saturday, as per the head of Kandahar Police Headquarters' media office."An explosion in Spin Boldak district in southern Kandahar province at around 7 pm this evening left one civilian dead and two others wounded," TOLOnews quoted the official, Jamal Nasir Barikzai, as saying.The reason behind the explosion is not known yet.
Kerala coast on high alert
The Kerala coast has been put on high alert following intelligence reports that boats allegedly carrying 15 Islamic State Terrorists had set off from Sri Lanka to the Lakshadweep islands, police said Saturday. According to highly places sources in the police department, the coastal police stations and coastal district police chiefs have been alerted. "Such alerts are usual practice but this time we have a specific information about the number. We have alerted the coastal police stations and the police chiefs of coastal districts to be on alert in case of any sighting of suspicious vessels," a top police source told PTI. The coastal police department said it was on alert since May 23, the day alert came from Sri Lanka. "We were on alert since the Sri Lankan attack took place. We have also alerted the fishing vessels and others venturing into the sea to be cautious of suspicious activities," coastal department sources confirmed to PTI. After the serial bomb blasts in Sri ..
Bikers stage last 'Rolling Thunder' to honour missing US soldiers
Thousands of bikers, many of them Vietnam War veterans, converged Saturday on the US capital for what is billed as their last national "Rolling Thunder" ride in honour of missing American soldiers on Memorial Day weekend. They got a boost from President Donald Trump himself, who tweeted Saturday that he would like to help maintain the event, which is bogged down in a dispute over costs. The huge motorcycle rally -- set to take place on Sunday -- began in 1988 with fewer than 3,000 participants under the motto "We will never forget." The goal was to press for an accounting of those missing in Vietnam. Over the years, it has grown into a rumbling combination of protest and parade, with tens of thousands of participants and many more lining the streets from the Pentagon to the National Mall to watch -- and hear -- the gleaming spectacle. Riders end up at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the nearby Lincoln Memorial for speeches and a concert on the Sunday before Memorial Day. Unlike ...
China relaxes travel advisory for Lanka
China on Saturday became the first country to tone down its travel advisory imposed on Sri Lanka post the Easter Sunday blasts, in a move that would help in reviving the tourism industry of the island nation hit hard by the terror attack. The move came a day after Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe appealed to the international community to lift the travel warnings, assuring that the security situation has improved in the country after the crackdown on Islamist groups and their networks. "We are happy announce that the travel ban on visiting Sri Lanka implemented by China has now been toned down to 'be cautious' while travelling to Sri Lanka from 'Do not travel to Sri Lanka'," Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority said here today. China is the second largest market, after India, for the Lankan tourism sector. The number of Chinese tourists to Lanka has been relatively steady at over 265,000 since the last three years. Several countries, including India, US, UK and Australia,
Iranian FM arrives in Baghdad to meet with Iraq officials
Iranian media are reporting that the country's foreign minister has arrived in Baghdad to meet his Iraqi counterpart and other officials. The official IRNA news agency reported Saturday that Mohammad Javad Zarif will meet with Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamed Alhakim, Iraqi President Barham Salih, and Prime Minister Mohammed al-Halbousi during his two-day visit. Iraq's Foreign Ministry spokesman says Zarif will discuss the situation in the region and ways of finding common ground. On Friday, Zarif was in Pakistan and met officials there as tensions have ratcheted up in the Mideast. The White House earlier this month sent an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers to the region in response to a still-unexplained threat from Iran. The U.S. plans to send 1,500 additional troops to the Middle East amid heightened tensions.
New evidence links Colombia army chief to civilian slayings
New evidence has emerged linking the embattled head of Colombia's army to the alleged cover-up of civilian killings more than a decade ago. The documents, provided to The Associated Press by a person familiar with an ongoing investigation into the extrajudicial killings, come as Gen. Nicacio Martnez Espinel faces mounting pressure to resign over orders he gave troops this year to step up attacks in what some fear could pave the way for a return of serious human rights violations. Colombia's military has been blamed for as many as 5,000 extrajudicial killings at the height of the country's armed conflict in the mid-2000s as troops under pressure by top commanders inflated body counts, in some cases dressing up civilians as guerrillas in exchange for extra pay and other perks. What became known as the "false positives" scandal has cast a dark shadow over the U.S.-backed military's record of battleground victories. Fifteen years later not a single top commander has been held accountable .
Zakir Musa killing: Situation peaceful in Valley
Barring a few incidents of clashes between youths and security forces at some places, the situation in Kashmir remained peaceful on Saturday in the aftermath of the killing of Zakir Musa, officials said. Musa, the so-called chief of an Al-Qaeda affiliate in the Valley, was killed in an encounter with security forces in Pulwama district on Friday. "The situation remained peaceful and totally under control today (Saturday)," the officials said. They said a few incidents of mild clashes took place at a few places like Batamaloo in Srinagar and in Pulwama district. These incidents were controlled by the security forces and the situation returned to normal in these areas after some time, the officials said. Following the improvement in the overall situation, they said, mobile internet services were restored in some parts of the valley in the evening.
Afghan forces mistakenly kill 6 civilians in Afghanistan
An Afghan security forces raid against Taliban fighters in eastern Nangarhar province mistakenly killed at least six civilians, including a woman and two children, provincial officials said Saturday. Attahullah Khogyani, the provincial governor's spokesman, said 10 insurgents were also killed in the Friday night attack in Sherzad district. The civilians' vehicle was exiting the area right after the raid and security forces thought that Taliban fighters were trying to escape, so they opened fire and mistakenly killed the civilians, Khogyani said. Ajmal Omer, a provincial councilman, said villagers carrying the victims' bodies in a procession in the provincial capital of Jalalabad demanded justice for the victims' families. Both Taliban and Islamic State group fighters are active in eastern Afghanistan, especially in Nangarhar. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said Saturday it was concerned about the heavy toll on civilians in the conflict during the holy month of ...
Sri Lanka troops hunt Islamists linked to suicide attacks
Sri Lanka's military launched a major hunt Saturday for remnants of an Islamist group which carried out the Easter suicide bombings that killed 258 people, officials said. Several Colombo suburbs were targeted by troops using emergency powers on arrests and detentions adopted after the April 21 attacks. "Special cordon-and-search operations are under way in three areas just outside Colombo," a military official told reporters. Similar operations were also carried out in North Western Province, near Colombo, where anti-Muslim riots this month left one man dead and hundreds of Muslim-owned shops, homes and mosques destroyed. Security forces have arrested scores of suspects in connection with the bombings of three hotels and three churches and over what appeared to be organised violence against the island's Muslim minority. While authorities say the immediate jihadist threat has been blunted, President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday extended for one month the 30-day state of emergency
Two Assam Rifle troopers killed in Nagaland ambush
Two Assam Rifles troopers were killed and four others were injured on Saturday after suspected militants ambushed their convoy near the Nagaland-Assam border, a defence spokesman said.
Increased US presence in M-E dangerous, says Iran
The US decision to deploy additional troops to the Middle East region was "dangerous", said Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday.
Afghan forces kill 6 civilians in eastern Afghanistan
Afghan officials say at least six civilians, including a woman and two children, have been mistakenly killed in an Afghan security forces raid against Taliban fighters in eastern Nangarhar province. Attahullah Khogyani, the provincial governor's spokesman, says 10 insurgents were also killed in the Friday night attack in Sherzad district. The civilians' vehicle came out of the area right after the raid and the security forces thought that Taliban fighters were trying to escape, so they opened fire and mistakenly killed the civilians. Ajmal Omer, a provincial councilman in Nangarhar, said villagers carrying out the bodies in a procession in the provincial capital Jalalabad demanded justice for the victims' families. Both Taliban and Islamic State group fighters are active in eastern Afghanistan, especially in Nangarha.
French police hunt suspect after Lyon bomb attack
French police were on Saturday pulling out all the stops to locate a suspect following a blast in the heart of Lyon that wounded 13 people. "All means have been activated to identify and detain the person who committed this act," Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz told media in Lyon, the third-biggest French city. The blast occurred just two days ahead of hotly contested European Parliament elections and with France on watch for any repeat of recent deadly terrorist attacks which have rocked the country. Heitz has taken charge of the investigation into "attempted murder in relation with a terrorist enterprise and association with terrorist criminals." French Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet said late Friday however that it was too soon to say whether the blast could be termed a "terrorist act". President Emmanuel Macron initially called the Friday evening explosion an "attack" but later took a more cautious tone with a tweet that condemned "the violence that has struck" the city's ...
Defence Finance Secy visits Army locations in Ladakh sector
Gargi Kaul, Secretary Defence Finance, recently visited various locations of Fire and Fury Corps in the Ladakh Sector to gain first-hand knowledge of the difficult conditions in which troops are deployed while defending the nation's borders.This comes as part of the outreach initiative of the Ministry of Defence, read an official release issued on the visit.Kaul interacted with Lt Gen YK Joshi, General Officer Commanding, Fire and Fury Corps and understood the myriad terrain, weather and health challenges faced by troops of the Fire and Fury Corps. She also visited various forward locations in the sector including Siachen.During her interactions with the troops, Kaul conveyed the appreciation of the nation for their commitment and perseverance and also assured them of all support from the Ministry of Defence in the execution of their duties.
Two Assam Rifles personnel killed in encounter along Indo-Myanmar border
Two Assam Rifles personnel were killed and four others injured during a gunfight with a group of militants in Mon area along the Indo-Myanmar border in Nagaland on Saturday, military sources said. A column of Assam Rifles jawans on two vehicles encountered an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) blast in the area around 1:30 pm, they said. The blast was followed by exchange of fire between the Assam Rifles personnel and militants in which two soldiers were killed. They said four other Assam Rifles personnel were injured in the gunfight and they were given immediate medical treatment, sources said, adding they are stable now. The two Assam Rifles personnel killed included one junior commissioned officer (JCO). The incident took place near border pillars 147 and 148 along the Indo-Myanmar border, sources said.
Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh planning to set up permanent bases in eastern states: MHA
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sounded an alert about plans of terrorist outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) making permanent bases within 10 kilometres of the India-Bangladesh border in the eastern states of Tripura, Assam and West Bengal. A gazette notification, issued by the MHA Joint Secretary Piyush Goyal on Thursday, said the terror outfit has also plans of "spreading its network in south India with an overarching motive to establish Caliphate in the Indian subcontinent." The notification said the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh or Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Indian or Jamaat-ul- Mujahideen Hindustan are in the list of 41 terror organisations, already banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The JMB and its sister formations such as the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Hindustan have committed acts of terrorism, promoted acts of terrorism and have been engaged in radicalisation and recruitment of youths for terrorist activities in India, the notification ...