Page 597 - War Conflict
Gunmen loot Rs 5 lakh from manager of private company in Bihar
Gunmen today looted Rs 4.95 lakh from a senior official of a private finance company in Bihar's Munger district, police said. The incident occurred on Avantika road under Jamalpur police station area when Nitish Kumar, a manager of the company, was going to deposit Rs 4,95,165 at a nearby bank, Superintendent of Police (SP) Gaurav Mangla said. The gunmen, who were four in number, looted the sum at gun point and fled on foot, Mangla said. Police are conducting raids to nab the culprits, he added.
Infant killed, 6 injured in Pak firing in Jammu
Pakistani troops targeted border outposts and villages with mortar shells and small arms in Jammu district today, killing an eight-month-old boy and injuring six including a special police officer, officials said. Firing from across the border took place in several areas along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB), drawing effective retaliation from the Indian troops, the officials said. Eight-month-old Nitin Kumar, sleeping with his family outside their home in Pallanwala sector along the LoC, was killed in Pakistani firing, while six people including the special police officer were injured in Pakistani shelling in Arnia sector along the IB. Today's firing, in violation of a ceasefire agreement, came two days after four civilians and a BSF jawan were killed in firing by Pakistani troops in Jammu district. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who met a few victims of Saturday's attack, described the killings as "highly unfortunate". She said the ...
'Bastariya' battalion mix: Labourer turns commando, mother picks up gun against ultras
From overcoming poverty to serving the nation, the young recruits, including women, of the Central Reserve Police Force's (CRPF) "Bastariya" battalion had their reasons for joining the specialised unit, which was commissioned into service today. The battalion, numbered 241, is named "Bastariya" as its members are from the Bastar region in southern Chhattisgarh, bordering Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Telangana. The recruits include married couples and a brother-sister duo. Bijapur, one of the worst insurgency-hit districts in Chhattisgarh, has sent the maximum of 163 tribal youths, including 60 women, to the special battalion, which was commissioned into service by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at a function here. The 534 troopers, including 189 women, were selected from Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur and Sukma districts, which are battling Maoist insurgency. The specialised unit, raised to take on the Naxals in the forests, is expected to be deployed in south Bastar by next month, ..
Six injured in Jammu as Pakistan continues shelling
Six people were injured on Monday in indiscriminate shelling by Pakistan Rangers across the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir's Jammu district, police said.
Govt working on applications of AI for military use: Nirmala
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said the government was serious about introducing applications of artificial intelligence (AI) for defence forces and called for building adequate infrastructure for its use. Sitharaman said AI can be used in a range of areas including guarding the country's borders and securing outer space. She was speaking at a workshop of stakeholders involved in putting in place a framework for use of artificial intelligence by the defence forces. Sitharaman said applications of AI can be effective for aerial, land based and naval platforms besides using it to monitor any sort of chemical and nuclear warfare. In February, the government had set up a high-powered task force headed by Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran to recommend a framework for applications of AI in defence forces. "The task force should be able to tell us what is it that will encourage the use of the AI in defence forces. The challenges identified is the lack of infrastructure to enable
Royal Enfield launches classic World War II era motorcycle model in UK
India's Royal Enfield today launched a new limited-edition model of a classic motorcycle inspired by a World War II bike used by British paratroopers behind enemy lines. The ?Classic 500 'Pegasus' is inspired by the legendary RE/WD Flying Flea 125 motorcycle, which was manufactured at Royal Enfield's underground facility in Westwood, UK, during the war. ?It has been conceived as a chance to own a piece of motorcycle history, with only 1,000 units to be made available globally, of which 190 will be available in Britain. The Pegasus will be open for bookings online from July at a price tag of 4,999 pounds. "The story of the Flying Flea is both remarkable and inspiring, and it has a history like no other motorcycle," said Royal Enfield CEO Siddhartha Lal after a grand launch ceremony in Duxford, Cambridgeshire, today. Describing the Classic 500 Pegasus as a homage to the legendary war stories and to the resilience and pedigree of Royal Enfield, he added: "Rugged military motorcycles have
Bastariya Battalion commissioned in Chhattisgarh
Attending the first ever Passing Out Parade function of the newly raised 'Bastariya Battalion' of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Monday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that there has been a significant drop in Maoism and militancy in the country.Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, while attending the function at Chhattisgarh's Ambikapur district, said that the country has seen a massive drop in Maoism and militancy to the tune if 55 percent incident-wide and 45 percent area-wise.The new 241 Battalion of the CRPF is called the 'Bastariya Battalion' as it includes recruits from Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur, and Sukma districts.The Home Minister also praised the CRPF for an improved situation of internal security, which he said was only possible because of the coordination of the CRPF with the state police.The Home Minister also said that the Government of India conceived the idea of raising the Bastariya Battalion having learned about the courage, and honesty of the ...
5 TAPI workers killed, 1 abducted in Afghan attack
A group of militants killed five workers of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) oil pipeline and kidnapped another in Afghanistan's Kandahar province on Monday.
Robbers looted Rs 5 lakh in Ghaziabad
Three armed men on a two-wheeler on Monday looted Rs 5 lakh from a collection agent here in Kaushambi bordering Delhi, police said.
Afghan official: Taliban kill 5 workers clearing land mines
An Afghan official says the Taliban killed at least five members of a demining team in southern Kandahar province. Zia Durrani, spokesman for the provincial police chief, says a sixth worker is missing and his fate is unknown following the attack on Monday morning in the district of Maiwand. Durrani says the de-miners were working for the TAPI national project, clearing a segment for a planned gas pipeline from central Asia that's headed to Pakistan and India through Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Karim Yuresh, police spokesman in northern Faryab province, says the Taliban attacked a district headquarters on Sunday night, burning down about 50 shops in Khuaja Sabz Posh district. He says reinforcements repelled the attackers. Six insurgents were killed and 10 were wounded. The Taliban haven't claimed responsibility for either attack.
Aurangabad: Ex-Sena MP arrested for ruckus at police station
Former Shiv Sena Lok Sabha MP Pradeep Jaiswal was today arrested for allegedly creating a ruckus at the Kranti Chowk police station while leading a mob demanding the release of some persons arrested for the riots that took place here on May 11. Jaiswal was Lok Sabha MP from the city between 1996-98 and was also a former mayor of the city's civic corporation. Police said that, since May 13, several people had been picked up for their alleged role in the riots and some youth from Gandhinagar area, which falls within the jurisdiction of Kranti Chowk police station, were among them. Jaiswal, along with several others, arrived at the police station around 11 pm yesterday and demanded their release, said an official. When the police refused, they broke the glass panes and damaged furniture at Kranti Chowk police station, he added. Jaiswal has been booked under sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 332 (voluntarily causing .
Bangladesh PM vows to end 'drug menace' as traffickers killed
Nine suspected traffickers were killed in Bangladesh today in an intensifying crackdown against a "drug menace" that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has likened to the country's war on homegrown Islamic militants. The latest shootings take to 22 the number of alleged traffickers killed since Dhaka last week announced a pushback against the surging trade in methamphetamine and other drugs. Authorities told AFP that five dealers gunned down on Monday were "top regional drug lords". One opened fire at a checkpoint as he sped past on a motorbike, said the Rapid Action Battalion police unit leading the anti-drug offensive. "We were compelled to fire back," RAB operations officer Anwar Hossain said. Four other dealers were killed separately in gang wars, police said. Hundreds of yaba pills -- a popular drug combining caffeine and methamphetamine -- were recovered from the scene of the shootings, police said. Thousands of alleged dealers have been arrested in an aggressive sweep that Hasina ...
Naxal menace a challenge but now losing ground: Rajnath
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said Naxalism was a challenge but the menace was now shrinking and losing ground in the country. He was speaking here at the Passing Out Parade of the CRPF's 'Bastariya' Battalion -- comprising recruits from Naxal-hit districts in the state -- which was commissioned into service today. The battalion is named 'Bastariya' as its members are from the Bastar region in southern Chhattisgarh, bordering Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Telangana. Appreciating efforts of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Chhattisgarh Police in curbing Naxal activities, he said casualties among the police force due to attacks by rebels have also gone down. Singh said the life of a jawan cannot be compensated with money, but as a token of gratitude, the government has decided that not less than Rs 1 crore should be given to the family of a martyred personnel. "Naxalism and extremism are a challenge, but I want to say that this menace is now shrinking and losing ...
Terrorists attack police picket in Pulwama
Terrorists on Monday attacked a police picket in Shadi Pora area in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.The security forces retaliated strongly.No casualties were reported.Further details are awaited.On a related note, the Centre recently ordered to suspend the security operations against terrorist in the state during the holy month of Ramzan.The Home Ministry said the decision has been taken to help the "peace-loving Muslims observe Ramzan in a peaceful environment".However, it clarified that the security forces "reserve the right to retaliate if attacked or if essential to protect the lives of innocent people".
Israel arrests 5 Palestinians for 'terror activities'
Israeli security forces have arrested five Palestinians in the West Bank on suspicion of involvement in terror activities and violent disturbances.
Abbas, 83-year-old Palestinian leader, still in hospital
The Palestinian president's condition has seen a "clear improvement" after he was taken to hospital with a fever, an Arab lawmaker in Israel's parliament with close ties to Mahmoud Abbas said today. Abbas was hospitalized on Sunday with a fever, just days after undergoing ear surgery. The 83-year-old leader has endured a series of recent health scares which have revived anxiety over a potentially chaotic, and even bloody, succession battle that could further weaken the Palestinian cause. Ahmad Tibi, the lawmaker close to Abbas, told Israeli Army Radio that Abbas could be discharged as early as Tuesday. He did not elaborate on Abbas' condition nor say why he thought Abbas was expected to be released. Palestinian officials on Sunday had said that Abbas has pneumonia and was on a respirator, receiving antibiotics intravenously. They said he was conscious and lucid. Abbas, who is a heavy smoker and overweight, has a long history of health issues, ranging from heart trouble to a bout with .
Militants attack police post in Pulwama
Militants today attacked a police post guarding the minority community in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir by opening fire, a police official said. No loss of life or damage was reported in the incident, he said. The ultras opened fire on a minority guard post at Saidpora in Tahab area of Pulwama district this afternoon. The police personnel retaliated, forcing militants to escape from the spot. The official said militants might have carried out the attack with an aim of snatching weapons from cops.
AI will play key role in future wars: IAF Vice-Chief
Vice-Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal S.B. Deo on Monday welcomed inclusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Defence Sector while saying that the move will add more teeth to the infrastructure of the country's defence forces.He further said that AI will help in fighting future wars and will enhance the targets more accurately.Addressing a stakeholders' workshop on 'Artificial Intelligence in National Security and Defence', Air Marshal Deo said, "AI helps to identify warships, aircraft, government vehicles and gun positions. I am convinced that AI will help. Our armed forces have a huge amount of data."Earlier, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said one of the key challenges facing the country's defence forces is how to apply and use Artifical Intelligence (AI), at a time when there is a lack of infrastructure to support it.Sitharaman said, "The task force should be able to tell us where the defence forces are today, such as bridging with the private sector. The task force should be .
Security forces have new mantra in Kashmir: Try to catch them alive
"Catch them alive" is the new mantra in Jammu and Kashmir as security forces, which have killed over 70 terrorists in the last seven months, shift gear to focus on finding new recruits and motivating them to return to their families, senior officials said. The strategy of police and security agencies is to cut the "umbilical cord" by smashing the overground worker network, which is instrumental in radicalising youth and pushing them to jihad, the officials said. "Our effort is to catch them alive and understand their grievances. After all, a 15 or 16 year old boy can't be brainwashed to the extent that he would like to be killed in a gunfight. There has to be a counter-narrative," said a senior official engaged in counter-insurgency operations. In the run-up to the Centre asking security forces not to launch operations during Ramzan, there was need to eliminate hardcore terrorists like Saddam Paddar, Esa Fazl and Sameer Tiger as they were the brains behind the fresh influx of cadres ..
Taliban warn Kabul residents to 'keep away' ahead of attacks
The Taliban warned Kabul residents Monday to avoid "military centres" in the heavily fortified city, saying they are planning more attacks in the capital where civilians have long taken the brunt of the casualties. The militant group has issued such warnings to civilians before, including during a failed attempt to take the western city of Farah last week, but it is believed to be the first time they have singled out Kabul. The warning comes after the United Nations said the war-weary capital -- where the Islamic State group is also stepping up its attacks -- is already the deadliest place in the country for civilians. The Taliban said they are planning more attacks on "the enemy's military and intelligence centres" as part of an annual spring offensive. "Therefore, to avoid civilian casualties and only cause damage to enemy military, we are asking Kabul residents to keep away... We don't want even a single innocent civilian to be killed", a statement published online said. The group .