Page 553 - War Conflict
Taliban announces end to Afghanistan Eid festival ceasefire
A widely welcomed three-day ceasefire between security forces and the Taliban in Afghanistan appears to be over, with the latter saying its militants had been ordered to take up arms again on Sunday night.
India welcomes Afghanistan's decision to extend ceasefire with armed groups
India today welcomed Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's announcement extending the unilateral ceasefire with militant groups, and hoped that the gesture would be reciprocated by them as well as their supporters. Last week, the Afghan government announced a seven-day ceasefire with an aim to encourage the Taliban to join the reconciliation process. Subsequently, the Taliban also announced a three-day ceasefire till today. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India supports a "truely" Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled peace and reconciliation process in an atmosphere free of terror and violence. "We welcome the decision of President Ghani to announce ceasefire and its extension. We hope this gesture would be reciprocated by armed groups and their supporters with complete cessation of terrorist violence," Kumar said, responding to a question on Ghani's announcement. He said India supports all efforts that can bring lasting peace to the war-torn country. "We
Nigeria: 31 people killed in twin suicide blasts
Reportedly, 31 people have been killed in twin suicide blasts in Nigeria, on Sunday.As per media reports, the blasts, which were reportedly carried out by Boko Haram, have left several injured in Damboa.Boko Haram is an Islamist militant group operating in the western and central African region, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group.The group is known to oppose western civilisation model of education and seek the introduction of sharia law in Nigeria.
Afghan bomber kills 19, Taliban rejects cease-fire extension
A suicide bomber struck in Afghanistan's eastern city of Jalalabad today, killing at least 19 people in the second attack in as many days targeting Taliban fighters, security forces and civilians celebrating a holiday cease-fire. The Taliban later rejected an extension of the cease-fire. Najibullah Kamawal, director of the provincial health department, said another 60 people were wounded in the attack, which struck a crowd of people as they left the governor's compound. Saturday's attack, which also took place in Jalalabad, killed at least 36 people and wounded 65, according to Kamawal, director of the provincial health department. No one has claimed the attacks, but they appeared to be the work of the Islamic State group, which is not included in the cease-fire and has clashed with the Taliban in the past. The local IS affiliate has a strong presence in the province. The bomber on Saturday targeted a gathering of Taliban fighters who were celebrating a three-day truce coinciding with
Suspected militants kill man in Kulgam
Suspected militants tonight shot and killed a man in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, a police official said. The police official said the man was shot in Kelam area and was rushed to a hospital, where he succumbed. Security forces have launched a manhunt to nab the attackers, the official said.
Chandimal pleads not guilty to 'sweet in pocket' ball-tampering: ICC
Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal has denied ball-tampering by using sweets and will face a hearing at the conclusion of the ongoing second Test against the West Indies, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said today. "Dinesh Chandimal has pleaded not guilty to breaching Article 2.2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct and, as such, Javagal Srinath of the Panel of ICC Match Referees will hold a hearing following the conclusion of the St Lucia Test against the Windies," said an ICC statement. Match officials charged Chandimal after television footage from the final session's play on Friday appeared to show the captain taking sweets out from his left pocket and putting these in his mouth, before applying the artificial substance to the ball which the umpires viewed as an attempt to change its condition.
20 dead after Nigeria attacks
The Nigerian Police on Sunday said security personnel found 20 bodies following twin blasts and a rocket attack in a town in Borno.
2 Assam Rifles jawans killed in Nagaland ambush, 4 injured
Two Assam Rifles personnel were killed and four others suffered injuries in an ambush by suspected Naga insurgents in Mon district of Nagaland today, an Assam Rifles official said. The incident occurred around 3 pm near Aboi when armed cadres ambushed a team comprising six Assam Rifles personnel, said the PRO to the Inspector General of Assam Rifles. Havildar Fateh Singh Negi and Sepoy Hungnga Konyak died on the spot while four others suffered critical bullet injuries, he said, adding that the injured were hospitalised. The security men retaliated the attack, but casualty on the other side was yet to be ascertained. The PRO said the involvement of suspected Naga underground groups in the ambush was not yet confirmed while there have been no claims made by any group.
6 IS militants killed in Iraq airstrike
At least six Islamic State (IS) militants were killed on Sunday in an airstrike in Iraq's central province of Salahudin.
5 hurt as gunpowder explodes in Raj village
Five people were injured today when the gunpowder they were filling in a cannon during a religious ceremony in Rajasthan's Bharatpur district exploded, a police official said. Four of the injured were critical and rushed to a Jaipur hospital, the official said. The incident happened in a village in Bayana town. The gunpowder caught fire and exploded, he said.
Aurangzeb's killing leaves family traumatised; yet spirit to serve country remains intact
Their beloved Aurangzeb did not return home for Eid, abducted and killed as he was by terrorists, but as they struggle to come to terms with their grief, the resolve of the deceased rifleman's family to serve the country's armed forces has only strengthened. "My son has laid down his life for the country. He was a brave soldier. I and my sons will also sacrifice (ourselves) for the nation. We want goons to be wiped out," said Mohammad Hanief, Aurangzeb's father and a former Sepoy of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry. Youngest of Aurangzeb's four brothers, 15-year-old Aasim eagerly awaited the rifleman's return on Eid with all the gifts including his much needed cricket bat. But what transpired has left Aasim shaken to the core. But still, it has not shaken his will to join the Army. Aasim was on the phone talking to Aurangzeb, when the latter was abducted. "My brother (Aurangzeb) was on his way to Poonch in a private vehicle. He was talking to me. I heard a shout ordering the ...
Five injured in blast in park in J&K's Ganderbal distt
Five persons were injured in a low intensity blast inside a park in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir today, police said. It is learnt that a low intensity explosion occurred this evening inside a park at Mansabal in district Ganderbal, in central Kashmir, a police spokesman said. He said five civilians sustained injuries in the blast. All the injured were shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment and are stated to be stable, the official said. Police have initiated an investigation into the explosion, the official added.
18 killed, 49 injured in Afghanistan suicide attack
At least 18 people were killed and another 49 injured on Sunday in a suicide attack in the heart of Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan, a security source said.
Blast inside park injures two in JK's Ganderbal distt
At least two persons were injured in a blast inside a park in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir today, police said. A mysterious blast occurred inside the Manasbal park in the central Kashmir district, a police official said. He said at least two persons suffered injuries due to the explosion.
Haftar forces launch push against militias in Libya oil crescent
The self-styled Libyan National Army loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar announced today a "major offensive" to drive rival groups from the country's northeastern oil crescent. Armed groups on Thursday attacked the Ras Lanuf and Al-Sidra terminals held by Haftar's forces around 650 km east of Tripoli. "We have launched a major offensive supported by the army and air force to drive out the militias of (Ibrahim) Jadhran and his allies", LNA spokesman Ahmed al-Mesmari told AFP. Jadhran's Petroleum Facilities Guard controlled the terminals for years following the 2011 ouster and killing of longtime Libyan strongman Moamer Khadafi, but were eventually forced out by the LNA. The LNA controls most of eastern Libya and is opposed to an internationally recognised government based in Tripoli, which has itself condemned Thursday's militia attacks. On Thursday, Jadhran said in a video that he had formed an alliance to retake oil terminals seized by Haftar's forces in September 2016. The LNA's air ..
15 civilians injured in Kashmir explosion
Fifteen civilians were injured on Sunday in an explosion at the Manasbal park in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district.
Taliban say ceasefire will not be extended, as suicide attack kills 18
A suicide attack in restive eastern Afghanistan today killed at least 18 people in a crowd celebrating the Eid holiday, the second assault in as many days to mar an unprecedented ceasefire. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the suicide attack in Jalalabad city, outside the office of the Nangarhar provincial governor. The Islamic State group, which was not part of the truce, had claimed an even deadlier blast near the city a day earlier. Further dampening hopes for peace after jubilant scenes during the ceasefire over the Muslim holiday, the Taliban announced they would not be extending the truce beyond tonight. Nangarhar provincial health director Najibullah Kamawal put the death toll from today's blast at 18 with 49 wounded. "Some of the wounded are in a serious condition," Kamawal added, suggesting the death toll could rise. Governor's spokesman Attaullah Khogyani said 14 people had been killed and 45 wounded when the bomber on foot blew himself up among a crowd of .
15 killed, 45 injured in Afghanistan suicide bombing
At least 15 people were killed and 45 others wounded as an explosion rocked a provincial governor's office after a meeting between Afghan officials and Taliban members here on Sunday, a security official said.
Suicide attack in eastern Afghanistan kills 14: official
A suicide attack in restive eastern Afghanistan today killed at least 14 people and wounded 45, an official said, the second attack in as many days to mar an unprecedented ceasefire. The explosion happened outside the Nangarhar provincial governor's office in the capital Jalalabad, his spokesman Attaullah Khogyani told AFP. It was also close to the Indian consulate. Khogyani said 14 people had been killed and 45 wounded. An Afghan security source confirmed the suicide attack but gave a lower death toll of at least 10. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast. Khogyani said a suicide bomber on foot had targeted Taliban, local elders and civilians as they left the governor's compound where they had attended a special event for the Eid holiday. Yesterday, a suicide attack on a gathering of Taliban, security forces and civilians in a district of the same eastern province of Nangarhar killed at least 36 people and wounded 65 others, provincial health director ...
Young Rifleman Aurangzeb laid to rest amid anti-Pak slogans in Poonch
Amid pro-India and anti-Pakistan slogans, Rifleman Aurangzeb, killed by terrorists after abduction from south Kashmir's Shopian district last Wednesday, was laid to rest in native Salani hamlet in the border district of Poonch. Salani is a hamlet mainly comprising of soldiers serving or who have served in Indian armed forces. The coffin, in which Aurangzeb's body lay, was wrapped in Tricolour and was carried by Army jawans and officers on their shoulders who trekked a serpentine path in the mountainous belt for over half an hour to reach his native village from a nearby road last evening. Earlier, the body was flown in a helicopter to Sagra helipad. As the valiant soldier's last journey continued, thousands joined along on the route while several thousand more thronged the hamlet to pay tributes. A pall of gloom descended on the remote hamlet, where people demanded that Army avenge the killing. Amid anger and tears, Aurangzeb's body was laid to rest on Eid. "We want the government and