Page 555 - War Conflict
Afghanistan extends ceasefire after suicide attack kills 25
An Afghan government ceasefire with the Taliban was extended today despite a suicide bombing killing at least 25, which marred an otherwise remarkable Eid holiday that has seen militants hugging security forces and civilians in celebration of the unprecedented truce. President Ashraf Ghani made the announcement in a rare televised address to the nation, in which he also asked the Taliban to extend their three-day ceasefire, which is due to end Sunday night. So far the group has not responded. "I order the security forces to remain on their defensive positions," Ghani said, adding details of the extension would be released later. The government's ceasefire was due to end Tuesday. Ghani's comments came on the second day of Eid, the Muslim holiday that caps the fasting month of Ramadan. It has been marked by incredible scenes of Taliban fighters greeting, embracing and even praying with security forces, politicians, and civilians across the war-battered country, including on the ...
Afghanistan: 20 killed in suicide blast
At least 20 people were killed and several injured in an explosion in Rodat district of Afghanistan's Nangarhar province on Saturday.Nangarhar spokesman Attaullah Khogyani confirmed that it was a suicide bombing, reports Afghan's TOLO News.As per the report, the blast took place at an Eid gathering here between Taliban and the Afghan government.According to the report, the Afghan government will take action and continue with their operations against Daesh and other groups as only Taliban was the part of the ceasefire.
Two civilians shot and injured in J&K
Two civilians in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district were critically injured on Saturday after being shot by unidentified gunmen, police said.
Afghan bomber kills 21, mostly Taliban celebrating truce
A suicide bomber blew himself up in eastern Afghanistan today as mostly Taliban fighters gathered to celebrate a three-day cease fire marking the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr, killing 21 people and wounding another 41, said the Nangarhar provincial Police Chief Ghulam Sanayee Stanikzai. Most of the dead and wounded were believed to be Taliban, he said. The devastating explosion came as previously unthinkable scenes of unarmed Taliban fighters celebrating Eid, often alongside Afghan security forces, played out in cities throughout the war-shattered country yesterday and again today. Within hours of the explosion President Ashraf Ghani announced he would extend a nine-day cease-fire that was to expire tomorrow and which he had unilaterally announced last week. The cease-fire was to end at the conclusion of the Eid holiday, which follows the monthlong fasting month of Ramadan. Ghani offered no details of the extension, including how long it would be in effect. The Taliban's leader, ...
17 dead in Caracas club stampede sparked by tear gas: official
Seventeen people, including eight minors, were killed at a crowded Caracas club early today when a tear gas canister was detonated, setting off a stampede, Venezuelan officials said. The deaths occurred after a brawl broke out during a middle school graduation party and someone detonated the tear gas, sending more than 500 people rushing for the exits, said Interior and Justice Minister Nestor Reverol. In comments aired on state VTV television, Reverol put the death toll at 17. Witnesses said a minor, one of seven people detained in the incident, is suspected of setting off the tear gas. Official reports said the victims died of suffocation or multiple trauma. At least five people were hurt in the incident and taken to hospital for treatment.
17 dead after tear gas explodes in Caracas club: official
Seventeen people, including eight minors, were killed at a crowded Caracas club early today when a tear gas canister was detonated, setting off a stampede, Venezuelan officials said. The deaths occurred after a party at the club degenerated into a brawl and someone detonated the tear gas, sending more than 500 people rushing for the exits, said Interior and Justice Minister Nestor Reverol.
At least 20 dead in Afghanistan suicide attack during ceasefire
A suicide bomber blew himself up in a crowd of Afghan Taliban, security forces, and civilians celebrating an unprecedented ceasefire in the war-torn country today, killing at least 20 people, officials said. The attack came as President Ashraf Ghani announced an extension of the government's week-long ceasefire with the militant group after both sides agreed to halt hostilities for Eid. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast that also wounded at least 16 others marking the suspension of fighting in Rodat district of Nangarhar province, but an Afghan security source told AFP that the Islamic State group was to blame. "A suicide bomber detonated among people, security forces and Taliban who were celebrating the ceasefire," provincial governor spokesman Attaullah Khogyani told AFP. He said at least 20 people had been killed and 16 others wounded. Provincial health director Najibullah Kamawal confirmed the death toll but said 25 wounded had been taken to ...
Kashmiri Pandits pay homage to those killed by Hizbul Mujahideen in 1997
A group of Kashmiri Pandits today paid homage to three teachers killed by Hizbul Mujahideen militants in 1997 in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district. The 'Daughters of Panun Kashmir (DOPK)' organised the Gool 1997 Martyrs' Shradanjali Divas programme in Jammu, where two BJP legislators -- Rajesh Gupta and G L Raina -- participated in the event. Principal of a college, Ashok Raina, teachers -- Sushil Kumar Bhat, and Ravinder Kabu - were killed by the militants in 1997 while they were going to Gool to join their duties. Floral tributes were paid to the victims, besides a large number of community members, the families of the martyrs also attended the programme.
Lankan diplomat calls on Kerala governor
The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in India Chiranganee Wagiswara called on Kerala governor P Sathasivam at the Raj Bhavan here today. Wagiswara and Sathasivam held discussions on improving cooperation between Sri Lanka and Kerala in tourism and higher education sectors, an official release said. The governor assured the Lankan diplomat of a positive response from the Kerala government and the universities on the matter. Wagiswara was accompanied by four officials of the high commission, the release added.
At least 20 dead in suicide attack on Afghan Taliban, civilians: officials
A suicide bomber blew himself up in a crowd of Afghan Taliban, security forces, and civilians celebrating an unprecedented ceasefire in the war-torn country today, killing at least 20 people, officials said. At least 16 others were wounded in the attack in Rodat district in eastern Nangarhar province, provincial governor spokesman Attaullah Khogyani told AFP.
Afghanistan announces extension of govt ceasefire with Taliban
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced today an extension of the government's week-long ceasefire with the Taliban, as both sides observed a halt in hostilities for Eid. In a rare televised address to the nation, Ghani also asked the Taliban to extend their three-day ceasefire which is due to end tomorrow. "I order the security forces to remain on their defensive positions," Ghani said, adding details of the extension would be released later. The government's ceasefire was due to end Tuesday. His announcement comes as Taliban fighters and Afghan security forces hugged and took selfies with each other across the country as an unprecedented ceasefire in the war-torn country held for the second day of Eid. Carrying assault weapons and rocket-propelled grenade launchers, members of Afghanistan's biggest militant group travelled by car and motorbike through the contested district of Bati Kot in eastern Nangarhar province, waving Afghan and Taliban flags. Afghan forces manning checkpoints .
UN envoy in Yemen for Hodeida crisis talks
The UN envoy for Yemen arrived in the rebel-held capital Sanaa today for emergency talks on the key aid port of Hodeida where rebel fighters are battling a regional coalition. Martin Griffiths is expected to propose to rebel leaders that they cede control of the Red Sea port to a UN-supervised committee to avoid further fighting with advancing government troops which are backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. He did not speak to reporters on his arrival at Sanaa international airport. More than 70 per cent of Yemeni imports pass through Hodeida's docks and the fighting has raised UN fears of humanitarian catastrophe in a country already teetering on the brink of famine. The Yemeni government and it allies launched their offensive on Wednesday. At least 139 combatants have already been killed, according to medical and military sources. The rebels have controlled the Hodeida region with its population of some 600,000 people since 2014. Earlier this year, the Saudi-led ...
IAF ready for any contingency: Air Chief Marshal
The operational preparedness of the Indian Air Force (IAF) to take on any contingency was displayed in the recent 'Gaganshakti' exercise, Chief of Air Staff B S Dhanoa said today. "The operational preparedness of the IAF to take on any kind of contingency was amply displayed in the recently- concluded exercise Gaganshakti. The gamut and expanse of this exercise was pan-India which saw engagement of almost all the assets of the Air Force," he said. The gigantic exercise involved operations on northern, western and eastern fronts of the country, Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said in his address at the Combined Graduation Parade held at Air Force Academy, Dundigul, on the outskirts of the city. "This exercise successfully validated the IAF's operational preparedness to cater to any eventuality," he said. The IAF has undergone rapid modernisation in recent times to cater to various requirements of the country, he said. "Our country presently may not be fighting a war in the traditional
Taliban, Afghan forces hug, take selfies as ceasefire holds
Taliban fighters and Afghan security forces hugged and took selfies with each other in restive eastern Afghanistan today, as an unprecedented ceasefire in the war-torn country held for the second day of Eid. Carrying assault weapons and rocket-propelled grenade launchers, members of Afghanistan's biggest militant group travelled by car and motorbike through the contested district of Bati Kot in Nangarhar province, waving Afghan and Taliban flags. Afghan forces manning checkpoints offered Eid greetings to the Taliban, embracing and posing for photos with the same people they are usually trying to kill -- a scene that would have been unthinkable only a few days ago. Villagers also flocked around the insurgents, hugging them and happily taking selfies with the heavily armed fighters as they celebrated the holiday capping the holy month of Ramadan. "I am here to offer greetings to our brothers in the police and army," Taliban commander Baba told AFP. "We have held the ceasefire well so ...
Mungantiwar slams Gandhi for blaming BJP for Jalgaon incident
Maharashtra minister Sudhir Mungantiwar today criticised Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for blaming the BJP and the RSS over the assault and naked parading of two boys in Jalgaon district in the state. He said the comments made by Gandhi do not befit a person, who aspires to become a prime minister of the country. Two boys from a backward community were allegedly beaten up and paraded naked in Wakadi village in Jalgaon's Jamner taluka for swimming in a well that belonged to a person of a different caste. A video if the incident went viral on social media on June 10. Condemning the incident, Gandhi had yesterday tweeted that the only crime the minors had committed was that they were taking a bath in a "golden well". Holding the BJP and the RSS's "manuvadi" thought process responsible for the incident, Gandhi said humanity was trying to save itself using the last available straw. Reacting to Gandhi's tweet in which he shared the video of the incident, Mungantiwar said it is a .
Violence breaks out in MP's Shajapur; prohibitory orders clamped
Violence broke out in Madhya Pradesh's Shajapur apparently after stones were pelted on a procession being carried out on Maharana Pratap Jayanti today, police said. According to eye-witnesses, the trouble started this afternoon when some people started hurling stones on the procession which was passing through the Nai Sadak area here. They also torched several vehicles and vandalised an electronic goods store, the police said "Police resorted to lathicharge and lobbed tear gas shells to control the situation," the Sub Divisional Officer of Police, Kotwali, Padam Singh Baghel, told PTI. After the violence, prohibitory orders were clamped in the town, he said. He added that a strict vigil was being maintained in the area.
Gunmen kill 3 Pakistani troops in Quetta city
A senior Pakistani police official says gunmen riding on motorcycles have opened fire on a vehicle carrying paramilitary soldiers in the country's southwestern city of Quetta, killing three troops before fleeing. Officer Naseeb Ullah says today's attack took place in the city's Saryab Road neighborhood when residents were celebrating the three-day Eid al-Fitr holiday. No one claimed responsibility for the attack and Ullah says police transported the bodies to a nearby hospital. Quetta is the capital of Baluchistan and has been the scene of a low-level insurgency by Baluch separatist groups, who demand a greater share of the province's resources. Islamic militant groups also operate there and often target security forces. Also late yesterday, militants killed three Pakistani soldiers in a cross-border attack in the North Waziristan region bordering Afghanistan.
CAF jawan injured in encounter with naxals in Chhattisgarh
A Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) jawan was today injured in an encounter with naxals in a forest of Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Narayanpur district, police said. The gunfight took place at around 10 am in the forest under Orchha police station limits when a joint team of security forces was patrolling to ensure security to road construction work in the area, Narayanpur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Shukla told PTI. "A Road Opening Party (ROP) comprising personnel from CAF and District Force, had launched the operation for the protection of road construction work underway between Narayanpur and Orchha this morning," he said. The team was cordoning off the forests on the either side of the road opposite Mandali village, located around 350 kms from the capital Raipur, when it came under heavy firing from a group of ultras that led to gun-battle, he said. However, the naxals soon escaped from the spot on finding the security personnel zeroing on them, he ...
Yemeni forces take Hudaydah airport from Houthi rebels
Yemeni forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition said on Saturday that they have liberated the airport of the main port city of Hudaydah from Houthi rebels.
Man's death in grenade blast, other violence mar Eid in Kashmir
A man was killed apparently in a grenade blast during one of several clashes today between protesters and security forces in Kashmir, marring Eid festivities and prayers. Also today, a 21-year-old Army jawan, Bikas Gurung, was killed when Pakistani troopers targeted a patrol party along the line of control in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. Militants also fired at a security forces party at Lasjan on the outskirts of the city, injuring a CRPF Jawan. Constable Dinesh Paswan has been shifted to 92 Base Hosptial at Army's Badamibagh in Srinagar. The grenade blast which killed a protester took place at Brakpora village in Anantnag district of south Kashmir. "Preliminary investigation reveals that a hand grenade exploded resulting in the death of Sheraz Ahmad due to splinter injuries," a police spokesman said, referring to the grenade blast incident in Anantnag district. Ahmad's right hand was severely damaged, the spokesman said. The police spokesperson said further details are ...