Page 633 - War Conflict
Afghan security force shrinks sharply: US watchdog
The Taliban and other insurgent groups are gaining control over increasing numbers of the Afghan population and the strength of local security forces has declined sharply, a US government watchdog warned today. The latest report from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) paints a grim picture of the security situation in the war-torn country, and comes even as the Pentagon asserts that Afghan troops and US-led NATO forces are making steady progress in the grueling, 16.5-year-old conflict. It also comes on the heels of another deadly day in the capital, when twin blasts killed at least 25 people, including Agence France-Presse chief photographer for Afghanistan Shah Marai and eight other journalists. According to SIGAR, the strength of the Afghan security forces dropped by about 10 per cent over the course of a year - falling to a total size of 296,409 personnel in the army and police forces as of January 31. Militants including the Taliban and the ...
Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs to visit Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh this month
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, will visit border areas in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in the last week of May, according to sources.The Committee will review the situation in the aftermath of the crisis in Doklam, wherein a military stand-off had risen between Indian and Chinese troops last year over the Chinese's construction of a road in the area.The situation was later resolved, following diplomatic discussions between the two nations.The face-off, which lasted for 78 days, was called off after both sides arrived at an understanding for the disengagement.
Kashmir shuts today against Pulwama civilian killing
All the shops and business establishments on Tuesday have been closed in Kashmir Valley, on a call by the separatists to protest against the killing of a civilian in Pulwama district.The complete shutdown was called by Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL).Meanwhile, restrictions have been imposed in parts of Srinagar and in south Kashmir, while train services have been suspended there.More security forces have been deployed in south Kashmir and the downtown area of Srinagar to foil any attempts of a protest and maintain law and order.On Monday, two terrorists were gunned down during an encounter with the security forces at Jammu and Kashmir's Drabgam in Pulwama district. A civilian was also killed in the encounter.The two terrorists were identified as Sameer Tiger and Aaqib Khan.The encounter broke out at 10 am after a cordon and search operation (CASO) was launched by troops of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) 182 Battalion and 183 Battalion, along with 44 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) .
Terrorist involved in civilian killings, attacks on security forces killed
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir range SP Pani on Monday said that the terrorist who was involved in civilian killings and attacks on security forces has been neutralised."It was on a specific input that forces launched a cordon. Two terrorists have been killed. Most important is that Sameer Ahmed Butt was killed, he was active since 2016 and was involved in civilian killings and attacks on security forces," Pani said.Earlier, two terrorists were gunned down during an encounter with the security forces at Jammu and Kashmir's Drabgam in Pulwama district.The two terrorists were identified as Sameer Tiger and Aaqib Khan.The encounter broke out at 10:00 a.m. yesterday after a cordon and search operation (CASO) was launched by troops of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) 182 Battalion and 183 Battalion, along with 44 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Special Operations Group (SOG) Pulwama.
UN chief 'outraged' by terror attacks in Afghanistan
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has expressed outrage over the series of terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, with a top UN official in the country saying the attacks on journalists ahead of World Press Freedom Day is a "direct assault on the freedom of expression". Twin suicide blasts, claimed by the ISIS, in the Afghan capital Kabul yesterday killed 25 people, including 10 journalists, in what Reporters Without Borders said was the most lethal single attack on the media since the fall of the Taliban. In a third attack 11 children were killed and 16 people wounded, including foreign and Afghan security force members, when a suicide attacker exploded his bomb-laden car near a convoy in the southern province of Kandahar. Top UN officials underscored the need to bring those behind the attacks to justice. The attacks in Kabul and Kandahar caused numerous casualties among civilians, emergency responders, and school children, Guterres said in a statement attributable to his ...
UN Security Council members meet Suu Kyi
The members of the UN Security Council have met Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi to discuss the issue of more than one million Rohingya refugees who have fled into neighbouring Bangladesh, the chief UN spokesman said.
7 killed in 'terror' shooting in Goma in eastern DR Congo
Seven people were killed when gunmen went on a shooting spree in Goma, a major city in the troubled east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the mayor said today. "Some unidentified men spread terror" late yesterday in Goma, mayor Thimotee Muissa Kense told AFP. "They were shooting in all directions," he said, immediately killing three people and wounding 22 others. "Four people later died of their wounds. Eighteen others are still in hospital," the mayor said. A 33-year-old butcher who witnessed the shooting told AFP that on Sunday evening two people arrived on a motorcycle in the neighbourhood of Mugunga on the outskirts of Goma. "They opened fire on people. Three people died, and there was panic. We hid ourselves in a kiosk," the witness said. A security source speculated that it could have been a settling of scores by a armed group from the neighbouring Masisi territory against a man, his wife and their child. Located on Lake Kivu at the border with Rwanda, Goma is the capital
5 detained over attack on Delhi doctor
Five men have been detained in connection with the attack on a city doctor involved in a property dispute with his two brothers in south Delhi's Gadaipur, police said today. The police said they have also questioned some other men, including the brothers of Dr Hans Nagar, who alleged that he was shot at and injured by some men, allegedly at the behest of his two brothers, they added. A senior police officer said they have detained five men, suspected to be involved in the attack, who are being questioned. The incident took place on the intervening night of April 28 and 29 and Nagar claimed that it was a fallout of a long-pending dispute he has had with his brothers over a property in Gurgaon. He also named four others behind planning the attack at him, the police said. The doctor told police that he had retaliated to the attack by firing around 12-13 rounds from his licensed pistol, in which, he believes that one or two of the assailants got injured, an official said.
Militants strike Baramulla town in north Kashmir, shoot dead 3 civilians
Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) militants tonight struck at the Old Baramulla town in Jammu and Kashmir and gunned down three men, in their early 20s, police said here. A police spokesperson said all the three persons were shot at from a very close range in Iqbal market of Old Baramulla town, killing them on the spot. The deceased, Asif Ahmad Sheikh, Haseeb Ahmad Khan and Mohmmad Asgar, all in their early 20s, were residents of Kakkar Hamam in Baramulla, he said. Police said that 15 rounds were fired on the three civilians, who have no track record of being involved in any political activity or intelligence agencies. The spokesperson said preliminary investigation revelead complicity of the Pakistan-based LeT. Director General of Police S P Vaid termed the attack as "barbaric and inhuman" and said the perpetrators will be soon brought to book. "One Pakistan-based and two other local militants of Old Town, Baramulla are the principal suspects in this case and wanted by the law," the spokesperson
3 civilians shot dead by LeT militants in Baramulla in north Kashmir: Police
Three civilians, in their 20s, were shot dead tonight by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants in the Old Town of Baramulla district in Jammu and Kashmir, police said. A police spokesperson said all the three persons were shot at from a very close range in Iqbal market of Old Baramulla town, killing them on the spot. The deceased, Asif Ahmad Sheikh, Haseeb Ahmad Khan and Mohmmad Asgar, all in their early 20s, were residents of Kakkar Hamam in Baramulla, he said. Police said that 15 rounds were fired on the three civilians, who have no track record of being involved in any political activity or intelligence agencies. The spokesperson said preliminary investigation revelead complicity of Pakistan-based LeT. Director General of Police S P Vaid termed the attack as "barbaric and inhuman" and said the perpetrators will be soon brought to book. He added that senior police officials have rushed to the spot in north Kashmir. Preliminary police investigation revealed complicity of the Pakistan-based
BBC journalist shot dead at Afghan's Khost province
A British Broadcasting Corporation reporter was shot dead at Afghanistan's Khost province on Monday hours after the deadly Kabul blast that claimed lives of 25 people.Ahmed Shah was killed by motor-borne unknown armed assailants while he was on his way back home, as reported by the TOLO news.Shah had joined the BBC Afghanistan service a year ago.This comes after nine journalists were killed in the Shash Darak explosion in Afghanistan.Earlier on April 25, Kabul News journalist Abdul Manan Arghand was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Kandahar.
Unesco urges probe in Palestinian journalist's killing
Paris, April 30 (IANS/AKI) United Nations cultural organisation Unesco on Monday urged an investigation of the killing of Palestinian radio reporter Ahmed Abu Hussein, who died last week from gunshot wounds he received in Gaza on April 13.
3 civilians killed as militants open fire in Baramulla in north Kashmir
Suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants tonight shot dead three civilians in the Old Town of Baramulla district in Jammu and Kashmir today, police said. The militants opened fire at the trio around 8.30 pm from a very close range in Iqbal Market at the Old Town, leaving them dead on the spot, the police said. The three persons, Asif Ahmad Sheikh, Haseeb Ahmad Khan and Mohmmad Asgar, all in their early 20s, were residents of Kakkar Hamam in Baramulla, a police official said. Director General of Police S P Vaid confirmed the killings in the attack and said senior police officials have rushed to the spot in north Kashmir. Preliminary police investigation revealed complicity of the Pakistan-based LeT terror group. One Pakistan-based and two other local militants of Old Town, Baramulla are the principal suspects in this case and wanted by the law, the police official said. The police have launched detailed investigation into the matter, he added.
2500 buildings for families of serving soldiers to come up: Gen Rawat
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said today he is saddened by the thought that families of soldiers, who defend the country's borders, are often forced to live in rented accomodations here and there in the absence of proper facilities. Laying the foundation stone of Parivar Avas Yojana - phase III at the military training camp area in Kotdwar today, Gen Rawatsaid the compulsion of living in rented houses will soon be over as 2500 multi-storeyed residential buildings meant for the families of serving soldiers werebeing constructed under the scheme. They will be safe and equipped with modern facilities, he said. Gen Rawatwho arrived in his home district yesterday also paid a brief visit to his ancestral village Saina Birmoli. He met his uncle Bharat Singh Rawat and other relatives at the village from where most families have migrated over the years. Only two families, including that of the Army chief's uncle, reside in the village at present. After spending about an hour at his ancestral .
Militants kill 3 men in Baramulla, JK
Militants shot dead three civilians in the Old Town area of Baramulla district in Jammu and Kashmir today, police said. Militants shot the three men from close range around 8.30 pm, a police official said, adding that all the three died on the spot. The deceased were identified as Mohammad Asghar,Asif Sheikh and Haseeb Khan,all residents of Kakkar Hamam in Baramulla, the police official said.
41 killed in Afghanistan suicide bombings
At least 30 people, including nine journalists, were killed as two suicide bombers blew themselves up in quick succession in the Afghan capital on Monday. Hours later, another suicide bomber struck in Kandahar province killing 11 madrassa students.
Three civilians killed by militants in J&K
Three civilians were killed by militants on Monday evening in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla town, police said.
Sameer 'Tiger' meets his end; Hizb terror group suffers a jolt
In a major breakthrough, two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists including Sameer Ahmed Bhat, alias 'Sameer Tiger', considered the main recruiter for the extremist group as well as the brain behind several political killings, were gunned down in Pulwama district today, officials said. A civilian, Shahid Ahmad Dar, was also killed in cross fire while some others were injured when they tried to storm the encounter site at Drabgam, 17 kms from Pulwama district headquarters, officials said. Two Army personnel suffered bullet injuries in the encounter, police officials said. Inspector General of Police (Kashmir range) S P Pani said Bhat was involved in several killings especially those of politicians. Giving details of the encounter, an official spokesperson said a joint team of state police, Army and CRPF carried out searches at Drabgam village in Pulwama district of south Kashmir. As the searches were going on, militants fired upon the security personnel. The forces retaliated leading to an ...
Armies of India, Malaysia start their first-ever bilateral exercise
The troops of the Indian and Malaysian armies today kickstarted 'Exercise Harimau Shakti 2018' in Kaula Lumpur, a statement by the Indian Army said. This is the first-ever joint Army exercise between the armies of India and Malaysia. The first phase of the two-week long exercise began with the formal handing over of the Regimental Flag to the Malaysian Army, signifying merging of the two contingents under one commander. First day of the exercise also saw briefings to the joint contingent on Malaysian country brief, exercise settings and security aspects. The day ended with a friendly volleyball match, which the visitors could finally won after a stiff competition. "Both armies stand to hone their tactical and technical skills in counter-insurgency and counter- terrorist operations under the UN mandate. Due emphasis will be laid on increasing interoperability between forces which is crucial for success of any joint operation," the statement said. The conduct of such exercises in future
Assam's new DGP plans research wing to study crime pattern
The newly appointed Director General of Police (DGP) of Assam Kuladhar Saikia today said that the crime pattern in Assam is changing and there should be a research wing to study it. He said that he has plans to set up a research wing in the state. "The pattern of crimes in Assam is changing. I think we should have a research wing to study why this is happening," he told a press conference. Saikia, a 1985 batch IPS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre, took over from Mukesh Sahay, who retired today after serving the force for 34 years and leading it for two and half years. Asked about his priority, Saikia said it would be crime against women and the increasing number of accidents on highways. The police force would also work on to speed up the poor conviction rate of crimes, especially against women, and will train investigating officers. The Assam police will also work to reduce HUman trafficking and continue counter insurgency operations, he added.