Page 653 - War Conflict

New deal for rebel exit from Syrian town: state media

Syrian state media today reported that rebels from the Jaish al-Islam faction would quit another town east of Damascus, just days after evacuating their main bastion outside the capital. State news agency SANA said a new deal had been inked for the rebels to exit the town of Dumayr, around 50 kilometres east of Damascus. Jaish al-Islam had maintained control over the town since 2016 under a "reconciliation" agreement with regime forces, whereby they would not fire at each other. But the new deal, SANA reported, "provides for the departure of around 1,000 terrorists from Jaish al-Islam to Jarabulus," a rebel-controlled northern town. Rebels had already begun handing over heavy weapons as part of the agreement, it said. Jaish al-Islam has not commented on the deal. It comes three days after Jaish al-Islam evacuated the last opposition-held town in the onetime rebel bastion of Eastern Ghouta. Their departure paved the way for the Syrian army to declare its full control over Ghouta, ...

Two WWII era bombs found in WB village

Two bombs of the World War II era were found when workers were digging a pond at a village in Nadia district of West Bengal. The bombs are 50 inches in length and 38 inches in diameter, a police officer said today. "The two bombs seem to be of the World War II period. We have informed the Army for necessary action," the officer said. Armymen came from Kolkata, around 100 km from here, and inspected the bombs yesterday, he said adding that they would take it away after getting permission from the authorities concerned. A pond was being dug at Chhoto Chupria village under Hanskhali police station area on Saturday when two large cylinder-like objects were found. The cylinders resemble bombs used during the World War II. The police recovered the bombs and kept them under pile of sand in the compound of Hanskhali police station. An official of Nadia district administration said, in the early 1940s, an area which is now Kalyani city, used to be known as Roosevelt Town and an ..

Macron calls for 'European sovereignty' in face of authoritarianism

French President Emmanuel Macron called today for a new "European sovereignty" in the face of increasing authoritarianism in some EU countries, in his first speech to the European Parliament. Outlining his vision of a reformed post-Brexit EU, Macron warned that there was a "sort of European civil war", adding that "there is a fascination with the illiberal and it's growing all the time.

India calls for probe into use of chemicals weapons in Syria

India has called for an impartial and objective investigation by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) into the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria recently.

Tension grips J&K districts over slaughtered calves on highway

Tension gripped three Jammu and Kashmir districts after the carcasses of two slaughtered calves were discovered on a highway on Tuesday, police said.

Six dead in Iran armed clash near Pakistan border

Three "terrorists" and three members of the Iranian security forces were killed during night-time clashes along Iran's border with Pakistan, state news agency IRNA reported today. "At 0130 this morning (2100 GMT Monday], a terrorist group from Pakistan attacked" a police post in the border area of Mirjaveh, around 75 kilometres southeast of Zahedan, the capital of Sistan-Baluchistan province, IRNA said. Three of the attackers were killed along with a police officer and two members of the Revolutionary Guards, it added. Iran has criticised Pakistan in the past for supporting the Jaish al-Adl jihadist group, which it accuses of ties to Al-Qaeda and carrying out numerous attacks in Sistan-Baluchistan. The restive province is poor and home to a population that is predominantly Sunni and ethnic Baluchi, in a country where 90 percent are Shiite and two-thirds are Persian. From 2005 to 2010, Sistan-Baluchistan suffered a prolonged insurgency by the Balochi-Sunni jihadist group Jundallah, ...

Three die after inhaling toxic gas

Three persons died after allegedly inhaling toxic gas emanating from a tank in Rajasthan's Bhilwara district, police said today. Mukesh Maheshwari (35) had stepped down in the eight-feet deep tank at his house yesterday. When he failed to come out, his wife asked two neighbours Vinod Parashar (22) and Shyam Tailor (40) to check inside the tank. All three fell unconscious inside the tank, SHO, Pratapnagar Police Station, Navneet Kumar said. He said the trio was taken to a hospital where doctors declared them brought dead. Apparently, all three died after inhaling some poisonous gas emanating from the tank. Bodies were handed over to family members after postmortem and the matter was registered under section 174 of the CrPc, he added.

Gunmen attack vehicle, kill 6 civilians in Afghanistan: Official

An Afghan official says at least six civilians were shot and killed by gunmen in western Ghor province this morning. Iqbal Nezami, spokesman for the provincial police chief, said that four other civilians were wounded after their vehicle was attacked near Faroz Koh, the provincial capital. The victims were all ethnic Hazaras, a Shia minority in Afghanistan that is frequently targeted by Sunni extremists in different parts of the country. Nezami says the Hazaras were travelling from Herat, another western province, to Ghor when they came under attack. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Both the Taliban and militants from the rival Islamic State terror group are active in Ghor and have previously claimed attacks in the province.

Syrian state media report new missile attack in Homs region

Syrian state-run media reported that the country's air defences confronted a new "aggression," shooting down missiles over the central region of Homs early today. The reports did not say who carried out the pre-dawn strikes. The government-run Syrian Central Media said the missiles targeted the Shayrat air base in Homs. Earlier this month, four Iranian military personnel were killed in an airstrike on Syria's T4 air base, also in Homs. Syria and its main allies Iran and Russia blamed Israel for that attack. Israel did not confirmed or deny mounting the raid. The reports came just a few days after the United States, Britain and France conducted airstrikes targeting alleged chemical weapons facilities in Syria, in retaliation for a suspected chemical weapons attack that they blamed on the Syrian government. Experts from the international chemical weapons watchdog are now in Damascus and have been waiting to visit the site of the suspected chemical attack in the town of Douma, just east .

Afghan security forces foil explosion plot

The Afghan security forces have thwarted a plot by the militants to detonate an improvised explosive device in Afghan's capital city Kabul.A remote-controlled improvised explosive device was discovered from the 5th police district of the city before it was detonated, reported Khaama Press, citing, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), as saying.The explosives were planted on a roadside.This comes after the Afghan National Police (ANP) forces have thwarted three back to back explosions in different parts of Kabul as part of their ongoing efforts to foil the destructive plots being hatched by the anti-government armed elements.

Surrendered HPC(D) militants get Rs 3 lakh each

All the 114 militants of a Hmar militant outfit, who had laid down arms on April 13, have received Rupees three lakh each as part of the rehabilitation package, a senior Home department official said. The surrender of the Hmar People's Convention (Democratic) leaders and cadres followed the signing of the memorandum of settlement by the Mizoram government and the outfit in Aizawl on April 2 last. The surrendered militants have returned to their respective villages, the official said. The Hmar rebels had laid down 45 weapons, including four sniper rifles, one grenade launcher, nine AK assault rifles, one M-16 carbine assault rifle and 13 double-barrel guns. They had also surrendered 2,892 rounds of ammunition, launcher shells and five radio sets on April 13. The surrendered weapons were handed over to state Home Minister R. Lalzirliana.

Myanmar president grants amnesty to 8,500 prisoners

Myanmar President Win Myint has granted amnesty to more than 8,500 prisoners, reportedly including at least three dozen political prisoners. The amnesty, announced yesterday, coincided with Myanmar's traditional New Year. It was granted to 8,490 Myanmar citizens and 51 foreigners. A statement from presidential spokesman Zaw Thay said those released included the aged, those in ill health, and drug offenders. None was individually named. It also said 36 of those to be freed had been listed as political prisoners by the independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. The amnesty appeared to cover only prisoners who had already been convicted of crimes, so it was unlikely that two Reuters reporters, Wa Lone and Yaw Soe Oo, currently facing trial for possessing secret official documents, would be freed.

115 Shiite protesters arrested in Nigerian capital: police

At least 115 supporters of a pro-Iranian Shiite Muslim group were arrested in the Nigerian capital on Monday during the latest protest to demand the release of their detained leader, a police spokesman said. Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, head of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) has been in government custody since troops clashed with his followers in the northern city of Zaria in December 2015, despite court orders that he should be freed. His supporters have held a series of protests to demand his release and yesterday clashed with police in Abuja during a march. A video of the face-off emerged on social media, showing police dispersing protesters with teargas and water cannon. "One hundred and fifteen members of the sect were arrested at the scene by police operatives," Abuja police spokesman Anjuguri Manzah said in a statement. He said the IMN supporters "went on the rampage", attacking innocent citizens, disrupting business activities, obstructing traffic and destroying government .

OPCW experts expected to arrive in Douma on Wednesday: Russian official

A team of chemical weapons experts is expected to arrive in the Syrian town of Douma on Wednesday to probe an alleged poison gas attack, Russian officials told reporters. "Tomorrow (Tuesday) the security services of the United Nations ... will test the routes. And on Wednesday is when we plan the arrival of the OPCW experts," a senior Russian official said at a press conference in the Russian embassy in The Hague, explaining the roads were still being cleared of mines.

G7 calls on Russia to answer for Salisbury nerve agent attack

Foreign Ministers of the Group of Seven industrialized nations today called on Russia to come clean about a nerve agent attack on a former spy in Britain, calling it "a threat to us all." "We call on Russia to urgently address all questions related to the incident in Salisbury," they said in a joint statement. The G7 nations urged Russia to provide a "full and complete disclosure of its previously undeclared Novichok program to the OPCW in line with its international obligations." Novichok is a group of deadly chemical compounds reportedly developed by the Soviet government in the 1970s and 80s. The G7 statement comes after Western nations expelled more than 150 Russian diplomats in a coordinated action against Moscow in support of Britain, and Russia retaliated with similar moves. Britain has blamed Moscow for the assassination attempt on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the English town of Salisbury in March. After conducting its own tests, the Organisation for .

Chemical arms experts due in Douma tomorrow, Russians say

Chemical weapons experts are due to arrive in Douma tomorrow to probe an alleged poison gas attack, Russian officials said, as the US voiced fears Moscow may already have "tampered with" evidence at the site. Following weekend missile strikes on Syria by the US, France and Britain, Russia traded accusations with Western nations yesterday, dismissing as "a blatant lie" accusations that Moscow was hindering the investigation in Douma. The four nations confronted each other in tense emergency talks at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague as inspectors prepare for a difficult, dangerous mission. OPCW director general Ahmet Uzumcu said his nine-strong, all-volunteer team had reached Damascus, but so far "the team has not yet deployed to Douma" -- scene of an alleged chlorine and sarin gas attack on April 7 where 40 people were said to have been killed. Syrian and Russian officials had warned of "pending security issues to be worked out before any ...

Uddhav Thackeray too busy to meet senior Maha BJP minister

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray today could not spare time to meet Maharashtra finance minister and senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar, sources said. "Uddhav-ji was caught up in meetings on issues including the proposed mega-refinery at Nanar and the murder of two Sena workers in Ahmednagar," an aide to Thackeray said. When contacted, a source close to Mungantiwar said that he had sought time to meet Thackeray at his residence in Bandra (East) this evening, but the meeting didn't materialise. The BJP is making overtures to the Sena, its oldest ally, after Thackeray, who has been bitterly critical of the saffron party despite sharing power both in the state and the Centre, announced that the Sena will contest future elections on its own. At a rally here on April 6, BJP president Amit Shah had said he sincerely wishes that the Shiv Sena stays with the BJP. Meanwhile, the Sena today criticised chief minister Devendra Fadnavis over the Nanar refinery issue. In an ...

Verdict in Mecca Masjid blast case 'slap on UPA's face': VHP

Welcoming the special anti-terror NIA court verdict acquitting all five accused in the 2007 Mecca Masjid blast case, the VHP termed it as a "slap on the face" of the previous "anti-Hindu" UPA government. In his first statement after assuming the charge of the VHP's working international president, Alok Kumar said, "For the sake of minority appeasement, the Congress government had hatched a conspiracy to save real culprits in the name of Hindu terrorism." He further said Pakistan was the happiest country at that time when the innocent Hindus were implicated while real culprits moved freely. The Hindus were reduced to the status of 'second-class citizens' during the Congress government, Kumar said. A special anti-terror court today acquitted the five right-wing activists including Swami Aseemanand in the 2007 blast case, ruling that the prosecution failed to prove charges against them. A massive blast had ripped through the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad on May 18, 2007, during Friday ...

Odisha LWE hit districts comes down to 15 from 19

The number of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts in Odisha has been reduced to 15 from 19, a top state police officer said here today. Based on the incidents of violence in the state, the Ministry of Home has reduced the number of districts hit by LWE. It has come down from 19 to 15," Director General of Police R P Sharma told reporters. Odisha has a total of 30 districts. While six districts - Ganjam, Gajapati, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Jajpur and Dhenkanal - have been deleted from the list, the ministry has added Angul and Boudh in it, Sharma said. The DGP said while there had been no Maoist violence in the six districts that were deleted from the list, two found place in it because of the rebel movement in the areas. Though Maoist violence have been reported from only eight districts last year, the ministry decided to retain 15 districts as LWE hit because of the influence of the rebels in those areas, he said. The 15 districts those have been identified as LWE .

Missing soldier in J&K joins militants: Police

A soldier who had gone missing earlier this month in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district has joined militant ranks, police said on Monday.