Page 637 - War Conflict

Police detain JKLF chief Yasin Malik on his way to protest march

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik was detained today on his way to the Jamia Masjid here to lead a protest march against alleged use of force on student protestors, police said. Malik was detained at Khanyar when he was going to the Jamia Masjid at Nowhatta for the protest march, a police official said. He said Malik has been lodged at Kothi Bagh police station. Meanwhile, a JKLF spokesman said Malik was to lead the protest march against the use of force on students, illegal continuous arrest of leaders by NIA and Kathua rape-and-murder incident. He said the JKLF chairman was assaulted by the police before being taken away. Quoting witnesses, the JKLF spokesman claimed police stopped Malik's vehicle near Gousia hospital Khanyar and straightaway a police officer started hurling abuses on him. The JKLF chairman objected to the police officer's misbehavior and asked him to show some restraint, the spokesman claimed. Policemen assaulted JKLF chairman,

N Korea hails summit as 'new milestone'

North Korea on Saturday applauded the need for achieving a "complete denuclearisation" during the joint declaration of the recently-concluded inter-Korean summit held in Panmunjom on the southern side of the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ)."North and South Korea affirmed the common goal of realizing a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula through complete denuclearisation," the South Korean news agency, Yonhap, quoted the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) as saying."Sharing the understanding that the measures led and taken by the North and South are very meaningful, significant ones for the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, (the two sides) agreed to fulfill their respective responsibilities and roles going forward," the statement added.The KCNA further said in a separate article that the Panmunjom Declaration "will mark a new milestone in joint efforts for co-prosperity and independent reunification."On Friday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in ...

Six killed in Afghan suicide attack

At least six people were killed and 10 others injured on Saturday in a suicide attack next to a military base in Afghanistan's Helmand province, an official said.

Armed robbers loot marriage party, kill bride for resisting in UP

Armed robbers shot dead a bride and looted jewellery worth lakhs after intercepting a marriage party on the Delhi-Dehradun National Highway in Meerut district, police said today. The incident occurred near Matore village, under the Dorala police station area, of Meerut last night, they said, adding that the groom and four others were injured in the attack. The victims were returning to the district after the wedding ceremony in Ghaziabad district, officials said. Six armed men, in two cars, intercepted the marriage party while it was on its way back. Farhana was killed after she resisted the robbers, Senior Superintendant of Police Manjil Saini said. Jewellery worth lakhs and a car was looted from them, he said. Police have started a search operation to nab the perpetrators, Saini said, adding that the bride was rushed to the Muzaffarnagar Medical College, where she declared dead.

Kazakhstan peacekeeping unit trains in India

A peacekeeping unit from Kazakhstan was recently in India to receive training and briefing on operational coordination for deployment as part of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.According to an Embassy of Kazakhstan release issued on Friday evening, the joint training exercise from March 19 till April 14, saw officers and contract servicemen of Kazakhstan peacekeeping battalion "Kazbat" and their Indian counterparts acquire skills and knowledge of requirements for UN peacekeeping units.Both countries managed to establish personal contact and reach mutual understanding with regard to common standards of peacekeepers' actions, the embassy release said.In general, the leadership of the Indian Center for Peacekeeping Training of the United Nations assessed the level of training of Kazbat personnel hoped for the successful peacekeeping deployment in Lebanon.

Woman among 2 Naxals killed in fresh encounter in Chhattisgarh

At least two Naxals, including a woman, were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh today, a senior police official said. Several other ultras were injured in the encounter and the toll may rise. Firearms were also seized from the spot, he said. The gunfight comes a day after eight Naxals, including six women, were killed in an encounter in Sukma's adjoining district Bijapur. The fresh gun-battle took place in the forest near Metagudam village in Burkapal area of Sukma district this morning, Deputy Inspector General of Police (south Bastar range) Sundarraj P told PTI. "So far, the bodies of two Naxals, including a woman, have been recovered along with 11 weapons. A search operation following the encounter was still going on," he said. Separate teams of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), the Special Task Force (STF) and the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), an elite unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), were carrying

Two Naxals killed in encounter in Sukma

Two Naxals including a woman has been killed in an ongoing encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Saturday.The bodies of the Naxal are yet to be identified."One woman Naxal killed in an ongoing encounter, while another body was recovered later on," Special Director General of Police (SDGP) Anti Naxal operations DM Awasthi told ANI.According to media reports, separate teams of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), the Special Task Force (STF) and the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), a unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), carried out combing operations in Sukma.This comes a day after seven Naxals were gunned down in an encounter near Penta village of Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district.

Philippines removes 'comfort woman' status

Philippine authorities have removed a bronze statue in Manila symbolising the World War II sex slaves abused by Japanese soldiers, less than five months after it was installed, officials said on Saturday.

Thousands flee fresh clashes in northern Myanmar: UN

Thousands of people have fled renewed fighting between Myanmar's army and ethnic insurgents in the country's remote north, a United Nations official said, as a long-simmering conflict intensifies. More than 4,000 people have been displaced in Myanmar's northernmost state of Kachin near the border with China in the last three weeks, Mark Cutts, the head of the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), told AFP late last night. The numbers do not include some 15,000 people who have fled since the beginning of the year and upwards of 90,000 residing in IDP (internally displaced persons) camps in both Kachin and Shan states since a ceasefire between the government and the powerful Kachin Independence Army broke down in 2011. "We have received reports from local organisations saying that there are still many civilians who remain trapped in conflict-affected areas", Cutts said of the recent clashes. "Our biggest concern is for the safety of civilians -- including ...

Haftar's return should help stabilise Libya, says Italian envoy

Tripoli, April 28 (IANS/AKI) Libyan military strongman Khalifa Haftar's return after a two-week stay in France for medical treatment could offer hope for the future stability of the conflict-wracked country, says Italian Ambassador Giuseppe Perrone.

Twelve Tuareg killed on Mali-Niger border

Twelve tuareg, including children and elderly people, were killed in clashes on the Mali border with Niger, sources said today, a day after the incident. Unrest between jihadists and two Tuareg-led armed groups is common in the region. Sixteen gunmen appeared on motorbikes outside the town of Anderamboukane and "opened fire on civilians" Thursday, according to statements from the Tuareg groups, the pro-government Gatia and MSA. "Among the victims are young children and elderly people," they added. A Mali official source speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed the death toll to AFP. An MSA patrol gave chase to the assailants, saying it had placed four "out of harm's way" while losing a fighter of their own in capturing equipment and motorbikes from the attackers. Sources from the UN's MINUSMA peacekeeping operation said on April 12 they had received "very serious" information that "summary executions of at least 95 people" had occurred during anti-jihadist operations in the ...

Twelve Tuareg killed on Mali-Niger border

Twelve tuareg, including children and elderly people, were killed in clashes on the Mali border with Niger, sources said today, a day after the incident. Unrest between jihadists and two Tuareg-led armed groups is common in the region. Sixteen gunmen appeared on motorbikes outside the town of Anderamboukane and "opened fire on civilians" Thursday, according to statements from the Tuareg groups, the pro-government Gatia and MSA. "Among the victims are young children and elderly people," they added. A Mali official source speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed the death toll to AFP. An MSA patrol gave chase to the assailants, saying it had placed four "out of harm's way" while losing a fighter of their own in capturing equipment and motorbikes from the attackers. Sources from the UN's MINUSMA peacekeeping operation said on April 12 they had received "very serious" information that "summary executions of at least 95 people" had occurred during anti-jihadist operations in the ...

Northern Command troops commended for successful anti-militancy operations

Indian Army's Northern Command chief, Lt Gen. D. Anbu on Friday reviewed security in the Kashmir Valley and commended the security f orces for recent successful anti-militancy operations, a defence official said.

The Skull of Alum Bheg: Wagner unfolds chapter of 1857 uprising in Sialkot

The skull of Alum Bheg should perhaps stay in England to remind 'civilised' Englishmen how their forefathers dealt with recalcitrant colonial subjects

3 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire in Gaza border clashes: ministry

Three Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in clashes on the Gaza border today, the health ministry in the enclave said, in the latest day of demonstrations dubbed the Great March of Return. The ministry said two of the men, who it did not identify, were killed by Israeli fire east of Gaza City. An AFP correspondent saw both bodies at the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. A third man, identified by the ministry as 29-year-old Abdul Salam al-Bakr, was killed east of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza. The deaths brought the number of Palestinians killed since protests began on March 30 to 44. 154 other people were hospitalised for gunshot wounds and tear gas inhalation, Gaza's health ministry said. As on previous Fridays, protesters gathered at five sites near the border fence, though numbers were down on earlier weeks. Marchers are demanding the right to return to their homes seized by Israel in 1948. Israel says that allowing the refugees in would mean the end of the Jewish state, and ...

Eight Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh gunfight

Eight Maoists - six of them women - were killed in a joint operation by Chattisgarh and Telangana security personnel near the inter-state boundary in Chhatisgarh's Bijapur district on Friday, police said.

Northern Army commander reviews security situation in Kashmir valley

Northern Army Commander Lt Gen D Anbu today reviewed the security situation in the Kashmir valley. "Accompanied by Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen A K Bhatt, he visited formation headquarters of the force and was briefed about the operational preparedness," the Army said. He appreciated the measures and standard operating procedures instituted by the units to meet the challenges posed by the inimical elements, the Army said in a statement released here. Commending the performance of the troops in the recent successful operations, Lt Gen Anbu stressed the need to maintain extra vigil to defeat the evil designs of hostile forces. Assuring full support to further strengthen the security posture, he lauded the synergy amongst all the security forces.

Former Bosnian commander among 12 arrested over war crimes

Bosnian police arrested 12 people today including a former Bosnian commander, suspected of being responsible for war crimes against hundreds of people during the country's 1990s conflict. The 12 men, including retired General Atif Dudakovic, are accused of being responsible for the deaths of several hundred victims including Serbian civilians and military prisoners, as well as against the Bosnian Muslim population, police said in a statement. They were all members of the mainly Muslim Bosnian army 5th corps, a unit operating in western Bosnia, a region completely surrounded by Serbian forces from Croatia and Bosnia. Although the conflict was fought between the country's three main ethnic communities -- Serbs, Muslims and Croats -- in this region Bosnians also clashed with each other. Commanders of Bosnian forces have rarely been tried for war crimes. Two chiefs of staff, General Rasim Delic and Sefer Halilovic, were tried by the UN tribunal in The Hague. Delic was sentenced to three ..

Israel asked to avoid lethal force as Gaza protest resumes

Palestinians converged on the Gaza border with Israel for a fifth round of weekly protests today, some throwing stones and burning tires, as a top UN official urged Israel to refrain from using excessive force against them. Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, the UN high commissioner for human rights, said Israeli troops have not heeded warnings by the United Nations and others, repeatedly using lethal force against unarmed protesters over the past month. Since the Gaza marches began, 35 Palestinians have been killed and more than 1,500 wounded by Israeli soldiers firing from across the border fence, according to Gaza health officials. Among those killed were four minors, including a 14-year-old boy. "The loss of life is deplorable, and the staggering number of injuries caused by live ammunition only confirms the sense that excessive force has been used against demonstrators - not once, not twice, but repeatedly," the commissioner said. The marches, aimed in part at trying to break a decade-old ...

4 killed in Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria: authorities

At least four people were killed when Boko Haram suicide bombers attacked northeast Nigeria's biggest city, the emergency services said today, as residents returned home. Violence broke out on the outskirts of Maiduguri last night, with indications the jihadists were trying to reach the city's Giwa Barracks, where suspected militants are held. The attack -- and an announcement that 22 soldiers from a regional force have been killed in fighting this month -- again underlined the threat posed by the Islamist insurgents. Nigeria has repeatedly maintained the Islamic State group affiliate is a spent force and on the verge of defeat. In Maiduguri, Bashir Garga, from the National Emergency Management Agency, said: "There were innocent citizens, four of them, who died. "Very few people were injured and none of them seriously." Five suicide bombers also died trying to detonate their explosives, he added. The Borno state police gave a lower death toll of two, including a member of the civilian