Page 556 - War Conflict

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 ...

Pakistan: Killing of Pakistan Taliban chief 'significant'

Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister Nasir-ul-Mulk described the killing of Pakistan Taliban chief Mullah Fazlullah in a US drone strike in Afghanistan as a "significant development in the fight against terrorism." Mulk made the comment in a telephone conversation last night with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and thanked him for sharing information about Fazlullah's killing, said a Pakistan government statement. The call was initiated by Ghani, who tweeted that Fazlullah's killing was "the result of tireless human intel by Afghan security agencies." A US official said the US believes that it is likely the strike killed Fazlullah, but efforts are ongoing to confirm his death. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss preliminary information. In his tweet, Ghani said he also called Pakistan's Army Chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa. In both conversations Ghani said he urged Pakistan "to take practical steps to bring Afghan Taliban residing in Pakistan to the negotiation ...

Saudi-led forces seize airport in Yemen port city of Hodeida

Saudi-led forces heading an assault on Yemen's rebel-held port city of Hodeida seized control of its international airport today, officials loyal to Yemen's exiled government said, as fierce fighting continued for the starving nation's main gateway for food shipments. Engineers worked to clear mines from areas around Hodeida International Airport, just south of the city of some 600,000 people on the Red Sea, the military of Yemen's exiled government said. Yemen's Shiite rebels known as Houthis, who hold the country's capital of Sanaa, did not immediately acknowledge losing the airport. However, the Houthi-run Al Masirah satellite news channel aired footage it described as being from near Hodeida showing a burned-out truck, corpses of irregular fighters and a damaged Emirati armored vehicle. The Iranian-aligned fighters rifled through a military ledger from the vehicle before chanting their slogan: "Death to America, death to Israel, damn the Jews, victory to Islam!" The Saudi-led ...

Youth killed in Kashmir clashes

A young man was killed on Saturday in clashes with security forces post Eid prayers in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag town, police said.

Clashes erupt in J&K after Eid prayers

Clashes broke out between the security forces and stone pelting youths immediately after the Eid prayers on Saturday in Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

Can't say if Ramzan ceasefire was a success or failure: Lt Gen (retd) Hooda

Lieutenant General (retd) DS Hooda on Friday said that it was not possible to comment on whether the Ramzan ceasefire along the Line of Control was an absolute success or failure.He said, "We can't say if the ceasefire is success or failure in black or white terms. There were major challenges. Militants haven't agreed to the ceasefire, attacks on security forces haven't gone down. Pakistan's carrying out infiltration and ceasefire violations are some downsides."He said that the killings of veteran journalist Shujaat Bukhari and soldier Aurangzeb in the Valley on Thursday, were the possible downsides of the Ramzan ceasefire, as it gave terrorists an upper hand.He said, "A tragic incident that took place yesterday where we lost a very brave soldier (Aurangzeb) and a very respected journalist (Shujaat Bukhari), which are downsides of what has happened. There are calls for abrogating ceasefire but there have also been some positives."He also said, "When the ceasefire was announced large ..

3 militants killed in Afghanistan

At least three militants belonging to Islamic State (IS) group's offshoot IS Khorasan (IS-K) have been killed in an airstrike in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province.A weapon and ammunition depot of the terror group was targeted in the airstrike by virtue of which at least three militants were killed, Khaama Press reported, citing a statement issued by the Afghan Ministry of Defense (MoD) as saying.Several weapons, munitions, and explosives were also destroyed during the airstrike, the report said.This comes in tandem with various ongoing counter-terrorism operations in certain provinces as the militant and terrorist groups are attempting to expand their insurgency activities.The US military based in Afghanistan also conduct regular airstrikes against the IS, Taliban, and other militant and terrorist groups.The US forces conduct airstrikes by using unmanned aerial vehicles in the province to clamp down the militants, according to the reports.

Libya strongman's jets strike rivals targeting oil terminals

Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar's forces launched air strikes against a rival militia targeting key oil facilities in the east of the country, a spokesman for his group said. Fighters on Thursday attacked two oil terminals at Ras Lanuf and Al-Sidra held by Haftar's group, inflicting fresh disruption on an industry that forms the chaos-hit country's economic backbone. A spokesman for Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army, which controls most of the country's east, said its aircraft bombarded reinforcements headed to join the "terrorist groups" yesterday. The head of Libya's National Oil Company (NOC) blamed Ibrahim al-Jadhran, leader of a group opposed to Haftar that for years blocked the oil facilities, for the attack and said his forces had seized both sites. Jadhran has kept a low profile since 2016, but appeared in a video on social media on Thursday, saying he had formed a coalition to take over the oil sites. The NOC said on Thursday it had evacuated staff "due to armed ...

UN top court to hear Qatar, UAE rights dispute

The UN's highest court will hold public hearings this month in an urgent case between United Arab Emirates and Qatar, which accuses its Gulf rival of "human rights violations and "discrimination". Doha's lawyers will lay out their arguments before the International Court of Justice on June 27 at a three-day hearing in which Abu Dhabi will also be given the chance to respond, a court statement said. A year ago Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt abruptly severed ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism and Iran. Doha denies the claims. The four countries expelled Qataris, and the country's only land border with Saudi Arabia has been closed for the past year. Diplomatic efforts have so far proved fruitless in what was previously one of the most stable regions in the Arab world. Qatar said the dispute is an attack on its sovereignty and punishment for pursuing an independent foreign policy. On Monday, the Qatari foreign ministry denounced "human rights violations ...

US must remain vigilant to nukes: Mattis

Defence Secretary Jim Mattis today praised a "possible new path to peace" with North Korea, but warned the US must remain vigilant to countries pursuing nuclear weapons. His remarks came after a historic summit in Singapore this week between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, where the men signed a joint statement in which Kim committed "to work toward complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula." Quoting Trump at the summit, Mattis said: "The past does not have to define the future." "But while a possible new avenue to peace now exists with North Korea, we remain vigilant regarding pursuit of nuclear weapons anywhere in anywhere in the world," Mattis said at a US Naval War College graduation ceremony in Rhode Island. Earlier today, Trump told reporters that he has "largely solved" the North Korean nuclear problem.

Three Pakistani troops dead in militant shootout on the Afghan border

Three Pakistani soldiers were killed today when militants launched an attack on army posts along the border with Afghanistan from across the frontier, military officials said. The shootout, which also left five insurgents dead, occurred in the Shawal area of North Waziristan tribal district, part of a semi-autonomous region where the army has been battling Taliban and Al-Qaeda linked militants for years. A statement from the Pakistan army said "multiple" assaults were launched on bases along the border. "Security forces valiantly repulsed all attempts to overrun posts and inflict major damage," the statement said. North Waziristan is part of Pakistan's tribal belt -- a block of seven districts along the country's northwest border with Afghanistan which are home to an estimated five million people, mainly ethnic Pashtuns. Military operations to flush militants from the tribal districts, have pushed the insurgents across the border. Pakistan is building a fence along its 2400-kilometre .

PM chairs high-level meeting on Kashmir

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing a high-level meeting on the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir in which a decision on extending the ceasefire could be taken, officials said. The meeting is being attended by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and senior officials of intelligence and security agencies, they said. The meeting is crucial as a call on extending the unilateral ceasefire post Ramzan, which ends today, can be taken during it, they said. It is expected that the issue of security for Amarnath Yatra, starting June 28, and killings of Rising Kashmir editor Shujaat Bukhari and Army jawan Aurangzeb is also on the agenda, they said. The fate of the Centre's one-month-old policy of suspension of operations against militants in Jammu and Kashmir hangs in the balance, with a few security agencies flagging its disadvantages, including regrouping of militants, and some in the Home Ministry being in favour of extending it with a rider that ...

I have 'largely solved' North Korean nuclear problem: Trump

US President Donald Trump today claimed that he has "largely solved" the North Korean nuclear problem and has saved a lot of money by suspending "war games" with South Korea. Speaking to reporters outside the White House Trump defended his decision to unilaterally halt joint military exercises with South Korea after the summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un. "Military -- I call them war games. I hated them from the day I came in. I said, 'Why aren't we being reimbursed?" he said, responding to questions on the criticism he is facing on his decision to stop military exercises with South Korea. "We pay for it. We pay millions and millions of dollars for planes and all of this. It's my term. I said I'd like to halt it, because it's bad to be negotiating and doing it. It costs us a lot of money. I saved a lot of money. That's a good thing for us, Trump said. He claimed he has "largely solved" the North Korean nuclear problem following his summit with Kim. Trump said president Barack Obama

Youth killed, girl injured in alleged Army firing in J-K's Pulwama

A youth was killed and a girl injured allegedly in firing by security forces during clashes with stone-pelting protestors in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district today, the police said. However, a defence spokesperson said during a patrol by Army personnel, a mob gathered there and started hurling stones, forcing them to resort to aerial firing after giving a verbal warning. They then extricated themselves and continued with their patrol, he said. According to the police, a mob started throwing stones at Army personnel in Nowpora of Pulwama district. As the stone-pelting became intense, Army personnel allegedly opened fire in which two persons were injured, a police official said, adding Waqas Ahmad succumbed to his injuries at a hospital while Ruqaya Bano is undergoing treatment. A defence spokesperson said, "The road at Nowpora was blocked due to three to four cars being parked on the wrong side. Army personnel got off their vehicle to request the drivers to move the cars." On ...

Yemen forces advance on key port city, sparking fears for aid

Yemeni pro-government forces closed in on a rebel-held airport today as they pressed a sweeping offensive on a key Red Sea port city, sparking UN fears for vital aid shipments. Fighting has raged around Hodeida, the entry point for the vast majority of Yemen's imports, since the Wednesday launch of a sweeping Saudi and UAE-backed operation to seize it from Huthi rebels. The battle has since killed at least 139 fighters, according to medical and military sources. The assault has sparked fears for the area's 600,000 residents, with aid and rights groups warning it could spell disaster across Yemen, a country already teetering on the brink of famine. The capture of Hodeida would be the Saudi-led coalition's biggest victory in a three-year war that has claimed over 10,000 lives and displaced millions. Neither Saudi and Emirati-backed government forces nor the Huthi rebels show any signs of backing down in the fight for Hodeida. The city and its port have been under Huthi control since ...

Bukhari murder: Cops release fourth suspect's photo

The Srinagar Police on Friday released image of the fourth person, suspected to have killed veteran journalist and Rising Kashmir Editor Shujaat Bukhari.The police sought help of the general public to identify the suspect for further investigation."The name of the person providing any clue or information regarding the suspects will be kept confidential," said the police.The 'Rising Kashmir' Editor was shot dead by terrorists in Srinagar's Press Colony area on Thursday.Earlier in the day, the Jammu and Kashmir Police released images other three suspects.In the two pictures released, three men can be seen riding a motorcycle with their faces covered.In the past, Bukhari has survived three assassination attempts, following which he was given police protection since 2000.On a related note, scores of people from all walks of life bid a tearful farewell to Bukhari as he was laid to rest earlier in the day in Baramulla.

Zero error policy for Amarnath Yatra, Centre steps up security

The Centre has ordered security agencies to follow "zero error" policy and step up security for the ensuing annual Amarnath Yatra in which over three lakh pilgrims are expected to take part amid fears of possible terror attacks.

Army pays floral tribute to rifleman Aurangzeb

Army today paid floral tribute to rifleman Aurangzeb who was abducted and later killed by militants in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir yesterday. A tribute was also paid to rifleman Manvendra Singh who lost his life during an operation in Panar forests in Bandipora district in which two militants were killed. Army today paid befitting tribute to two of its comrades, who made the supreme sacrifice on 14 June 2018 in the Kashmir Valley, an Army official said. In a solemn ceremony at Badamibagh Cantonment here, Lt Gen AK Bhatt, Chinar Corps Commander and all ranks, paid homage to the martyrs on behalf of a proud nation, the official added. Representatives from other security agencies also joined in paying their last respects to the jawans, the official said. "Aurangzeb sustained multiple bullet injuries in a dastardly act wherein he was kidnapped and killed by the terrorists in Gasu village of Pulwama enroute his home on leave to celebrate Eid with his family, the official ...

J-K Police issues picture of suspect in Shujaat Bukhari killing

J-K Police today released a screen grab showing a suspect in connection with the killing of journalist Shujaat Bukhari and his two personal guards here yesterday and have sought help of general public in identifying him. The police issued the picture from a video, which was purportedly recorded by a passerby following the attack on Bukhari outside his office, showing a bearded man surveying the inside of the journalist's vehicle. As a man pulls out Bukhari's guard, the suspect is seen picking up his pistol and disappearing from the scene right under the nose of the cops there. Late last night, police had issued two photographs of three-motorcycle borne suspects that were taken from the CCTV footage. However, their faces were not visible. While the driver was wearing a helmet, one of the pillion riders had used a face mask to conceal his identity. The face of the third assailant, sitting in the middle, did not seem to be covered but he was leaning towards the other side so as not to .

Pakistan Taliban chief killed in US drone strike in Afghanistan

Maulana Fazlullah, the dreaded chief of Pakistani Taliban, has been killed in a US drone strike in Afghanistan's eastern Kunar province, an Afghan defence ministry official confirmed today. Fazlullah, who has been designated as a global terrorist by the US and carried a bounty of USD 5 million, had been on the run since his loyalists were routed in a major military operation in Pakistan's Swat district in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province in 2009. The US military said yesterday it carried out a strike targeting a senior militant leader in Afghanistan. It, however, did not identify the militant. "US forces conducted a counterterrorism strike, June 13, in Kunar province, close to the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which targeted a senior leader of a designated terrorist organization," Lieutenant Colonel Martin O'Donnell said in a statement. Afghan Ministry of Defense spokesman Mohammad Radmanish confirmed to CNN that Fazlullah, who is believed to be in his forties, was killed in the