Page 614 - War Conflict

CRPF man injured in encounter with Maoists

A CRPF jawan suffered injuries in an encounter between security personnel and CPI(Maoists) in West Singhbhum district today, police sources said. Acting on an information that a group of Maoists have assembled in Sarjamburu jungle, security personnel reached there when the naxals started firing. A COBRA jawan was injured in the shootout and he was airlifted to Ranchi for treatment, the sources said. COBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) is a specialised unit of the CRPF proficient in guerrilla tactics and jungle warfare. Sources said the security personnel have recovered landmines during the operation. The security team consisted of the personnel from CRPF, Cobra, Jharkhand Jaguar battalion and District Armed Police.

Maha for inclusion of forest labourers as construction workers

The Maharashtra government will request the Centre to include forest labourers as construction workers so as to enable them to avail various welfare schemes, Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar today said. Speaking at a meeting here, Mungantiwar said the government would write to the Union Labour ministry in this regard. The minister said labourers engaged in a string of activities ranging from constructing buildings and roads to those engaged in construction of tunnels and transmission towers and allies fields fall under the definition of construction workers. "If forest labourers are also included, they too can get the benefit of welfare schemes implemented by the labour board from time to time," Mungantiwar said. The Maharashtra building and other construction workers Welfare board implements 28 different schemes in areas like education, helath, social security etc. for registered workers. The board ran 'Atal Vishwakarma sanman Yojana' campaign from February 23 to ...

C'garh: Two men killed by Naxals for being 'police informers'

The Naxals shot dead two villagers in Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Rajnandgaon districtafter accusing them to be police informers, an official said today. Ashok Maravi (36) and Guman Singh Dhruve (26) were found lying dead in a pool of blood on the outskirts of village Suktara under the Gandai police station limits this morning,a local police official told PTI. As per the preliminary information, four armed ultras, including a woman, arrived in the village, located around 80 km from here, on motorcycles last night and forced the two victims to go with them. Maravi and Dhurve were found dead with bullet injuries in front of the government school the next morning, the official said. Maoist pamphlets recovered from the spot claimed that the two were acting as police informers, the official said, while denying that the two had any connection with police.

Former Education Minister among 28 booked for violence during

Former education minister P M L Kalyanasundaram was among 28 persons booked today by police in connection with the violence and clashes between two groups of villagers at a public hearing on the expansion plan of a pharmaceutical firm. The cases were registered against them under Sections 143 (punishment), 147 (punishment for rioting) 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon) 324 (Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), among others, police said. They said the clash yesterday had left 10 persons injured. Meanwhile Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said the Pollution Control Committee had convened the public hearing as per the directives of the Environment Ministry to enlist the views of the villagers. "We have not given permission but the committee had taken steps only as per the directives of the Union Environment Ministry", he said adding that none should take the law into their hands. PTI COR The two groups clashed here yesterday after heated arguments ...

Two men abducted by Naxals in C'garh released 11 days later

Agovernment sub-engineer and an employee of a private construction firm were released by the Naxals today, eleven days after they were abducted from the Balrampur district of Chhattisgarh, police said. "Continuous massive search operations by the security forces, involving the District Force (of police) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), to trace the abducted persons bore fruit," Balrampur Superintendent of Police T R Koshima told PTI. The pressure created by the security forces compelled the rebels to release the two men, he claimed. Petrus Dungdung, a sub-engineer working under the Centre's Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY), and Shankar Bihari, a construction company employee, were abducted by Naxals on April 28. They were released by the ultras today, and were being brought back to the Samri police station, the SP said. He did not disclose the location where the two were released, but said the two men were spotted by police in a forest in Samri ...

Govt tells SC about plan for permanent commission for women in forces

The Centre has told the Supreme Court that the Armed Forces are finalising a plan to grant permanent commission to women in an array of areas by creating a special cadre for their induction. In an affidavit filed before the apex court, the Defence Ministry said that "All three wings of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air Force) and the Ministry of Defence are actively considering the issue of parity between male and female officers in securing permanent commission in the Armed Forces." The Centre said it requires six months to formulate modalities and enforce the changes and alterations in the three forces. "(All) three wings are conscious of and sensitive to the grievances of the female officers/ personnel in their fold and the need to provide them with reasonable avenues and ample opportunities to further their career prospects. Parity to women in grant of permanent commission has acquired sharper focus so as to mitigate discriminatory treatment," the Centre said in its ...

Multiple attacks on police stations in Kabul kill 7

At least seven people were killed and another 17 were wounded in multiple attacks on police districts in the Afghan capital on Wednesday, officials said.

6 killed in Indonesia prison riot

Six people have been killed in clashes between Indonesian police and Islamist militant prisoners at a high-security jail on the outskirts of the capital Jakarta, officials said.

Chinar Corps commander calls on JK governor

Corps Commander of Chinar Corps Lt Gen A K Bhatt called on Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra here today and briefed him about the overall security situation in the Valley. The governor and the Army commander also reviewed the security arrangements for the Shri Amarnathji Yatra which commences on June 28, 2018, an official spokesman said. Lt Gen Bhatt met Vohra at the Raj Bhavan here today and briefed him about the overall security scenario, along the frontiers and the hinterland, the spokesman said. The governor observed that he would be holding the yatra security review meeting on May 23 in which the senior most echelons of the civil, police, Central Armed Police, Army and state and central intelligence agencies are represented, the spokesman said.

Akshay Kumar, wife Twinkle Khann sent legal notice for auctioning 'Rustom' costumes

Eleven serving defence officers and eight others today sent a legal notice to actors Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna, accusing the Bollywood couple of "playing with the sentiments" of the armed forces by putting up for auction a naval costume from the Hindi film "Rustom". The group, which also included the wife of a Navy man and seven retired officers, said it was offended that the actors had listed the costume as an "original naval uniform". "Uniforms resembling those of the armed forces pose a potential threat to national security as the said uniform, insignia and badges could pass for genuine service clothing and can find their way to anti-national elements who can use it to foment trouble," the notice said. A copy of the notice has also been sent to the auction house Salt Scout and the office of the defence minister. The group of 19 urged the minister to take action against the actors and to stop the auctioning of the outfit Kumar wore in the 2016 film, a fictional account loosely

2 PKK suspects arrested in Turkey

Turkish security forces on Wednesday arrested two persons over their suspected links to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group, police sources revealed.A 35-year-old Syrian national called Ramazan Haci was arrested in a security operation in Kirikhan district of Hatay province. He was later sent to the police custody by a Turkish court, reported Anadolu News Agency.The security forces arrested another suspect in Adiyaman, whose nationality is yet to be identified.On Saturday, 23 suspected PKK terrorists were arrested across Turkey, out of which 12 of them were women.The PKK, which is based in Turkey, Iraq, and parts of Syria, has been involved in an armed conflict with Turkey for the past few years.It has been listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union (EU).The militant organisation has been responsible for the deaths of around 40,000 people.

Mufti chairs all party meeting

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti chaired an all-party meeting following the recent stone pelting incidents in the valley, wherein a tourist has died.The valley has hit the headlines again after a tourist from Chennai, R Thirumani (22), died in a hospital after being hit by a stone during clashes between security forces and protestors in Narbal area.Earlier on May 2, a bus carrying school students was attacked by stone-pelters in Zawoora village of Shopian district.On April 30, seven tourists were injured when stone-throwers targeted vehicles in south Kashmir's Anantnag district.

Suicide bombers, gunmen attack Kabul police stations

Suicide bombers and gunmen launched apparently coordinated attacks on two Kabul police stations today, killing at least five people, with security forces still searching for several assailants as the city braces for more violence. A series of loud explosions rocked the Afghan capital in the late morning and were quickly followed by volleys of gunfire as police engaged in fierce battles with militants. The Taliban and Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attacks. But Afghanistan's intelligence agency blamed the Taliban's Haqqani Network and Pakistani militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba for both incidents. At least five people were killed and 16 wounded in the attacks, health ministry spokesman Waheed Majroh told reporters. Two police officers were also killed, the interior ministry said, but it was not immediately clear if they were included in the health ministry's toll. After an easing of attacks in Kabul in February, Taliban and IS militants have stepped up raids in the ...

Attacks in Syrian capital kill 4, wound 24

A bomb blast and shells fired by insurgents on the center of Damascus today killed four people and wounded 24, Syria's state media said. State media initially said three shells hit the city center, and only reported the separate explosion later in the day. State news agency SANA said three shells struck a tall building known as the Damascus Tower and a nearby area, and that there was an explosion in Maysat Square. State TV showed a charred minibus as well as damaged cars in the area where the bombing occurred. It was not immediately clear what kind of bomb was used. The shells were apparently fired by Islamic State group fighters in the southern part of the city, where the extremists have been battling government forces for more than two weeks. Syrian troops are advancing in the southern neighbourhood of Hajar al-Aswad and the nearby Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk. Last week, government forces were able to separate IS fighters in Hajar al-Aswad from those in Yarmouk, a built-up .

Another huge explosion rocks Kabul: AFP

A huge explosion rocked Kabul today, the latest blast to hit the Afghan capital in recent hours as militants step up attacks on the city. AFP correspondents heard a loud explosion as Afghan security forces search for several assailants who attacked a police station in the heart of the city earlier in the day.

Karnataka polls: 1.5 lakh security personnel to be deployed

Nearly 1.5 lakh security personnel, including more than 50,000 from the central paramilitary forces, will be deployed during the Assembly elections in Karnataka on May 12 to ensure free and fair polls, officials said today. The Union Home Ministry has earmarked around 520 companies drawn from various paramilitary forces like the CRPF, BSF and ITBP to keep strict vigil and ensure peace during the polling process in the southern state. The central security personnel will assist the nearly a lakh strong Karnataka Police, who will be deployed in every nook and corner of the state during the single-phase polling, a home ministry official said. The number of the central forces personnel was finalised recently by the Election Commission after a meeting with senior officials of the home ministry. A company of paramilitary forces comprises about 100 personnel. Most of the central paramilitary personnel have already reached Karnataka and are on the process of reaching their designated places of

2 BSF jawans killed, 3 civilians injured in IED blast in Manipur

Two Border Security Force (BSF) jawans were killed and three civilians injured in an IED blast outside a BSF camp in Manipur's Imphal East district today, police said. The blast, triggered by an improvised explosive device (IED), occurred at about 2 pm outside the gate of the BSF's Manipur sector headquarters at Koirengei on the Dimapur-Imphal highway, they added. "The blast took place near a shop located close to the camp. The two slain constables -- Sanjay Tirkey and N Ningthouba Meetei -- were on a road protection task," a senior BSF official said. The two jawans received splinter injuries in the blast, he added. The three civilians injured in the blast were identified as Heishnam Muby, Mangshata Bam Premlata Devi (40) and Binbya Thakuri, a senior police officer said. All the injured persons were rushed to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), where both the BSF jawans succumbed to their injuries, he said, adding that the three civilians were undergoing treatment at ...

China-Myanmar meet: Both sides to deepen law-enforcement cooperation

China's State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi met Minister of Home Affairs of Myanmar Kyaw Swe on Tuesday in order to deepen law-enforcement cooperation between both the countries.Zhao said both sides would continue to deepen and expand ties in the area of security.China's news agency Xinhua reported that Zhao agreeing to cooperate in the area of security is in accordance with a new proposal issued by Chinese President Xi Jinping in order to build a new type of international relations for furthering China-Myanmar ties.Zhao also agreed that both sides will enhance cooperation in jointly curbing criminal activities like drug-related crimes, telemarketing scams, trafficking in firearms and explosives, human trafficking, kidnapping and blackmail, further reported Xinhua.As their meeting came to an end both Zhao of China and Kyaw Swe of Myanmar agreed on implementing Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to jointly maintain the security and stability of both countries.

Suicide bombers strike in Afghan capital, killing 2 police

Suicide bombers struck two police stations in Afghanistan's capital today, killing at least two police and wounding several other people, officials said. Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said the first suicide bomber attacked a station in the western part of Kabul, killing at least two police. He said there was sporadic gunfire after the blast, as a "cleanup operation" was carried out. Kabul police chief Gen. Daud Amin said another two policemen were wounded in the attack. Amin said a separate attack in central Kabul, in which a suicide bomber struck at the entrance to a police station, set off fighting that was still underway. He said gunmen occupied a nearby building, from which they were firing at security forces. Asam, the head of the Kabul ambulance service, who only has one name, said six people have been transferred to hospitals. The toll was expected to rise. The Islamic State group claimed the first attack. Both the Taliban and IS frequently target Afghanistan's ...

US, Philippine troops storm ashore in bulked-up drills

US and Philippine troops stormed ashore from the disputed South China Sea today for military exercises that President Rodrigo Duterte had promised to scrap, but quietly allowed to carry on. The decades-old tradition appeared headed for the history books last year as a newly-elected Duterte pivoted toward China -- and away from long-time ally the US. But the number of troops taking part in the drills has increased by a third from last year to 8,000, a return to figures seen in years past when the exercises served as a thinly-veiled deterrent to a rising China. The reason for Duterte's change of heart on the two-week drills codenamed "Balikatan", or "Shoulder-to-Shoulder", may be down to what experts see as careful efforts by the Filipino military to restrain their unpredictable president. "The fact it's being done under this administration means they (Duterte's government) now have a better understanding of the security equation," political analyst Victor Andres Manhit told AFP. Though