Page 675 - War Conflict
Four CRPF jawans get out-of-turn promotion for bravery in Kashmir ops
The government has accorded out-of-turn promotions to four CRPF jawans for displaying extraordinary courage in thwarting 'fidayeen' attacks on the forces' camp in the Kashmir Valley in the recent past, the paramilitary today said. The decision to promote the troops to the next higher rank in view of their gallant action, by an order of the Union home ministry, has come in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) after a gap of about 14 years as the government had discontinued the policy owing to some reasons. The first batch of three jawans who have been accorded the promotion include Head Constable A S Krishana and Constables K Dinesh Raja and Prafulla Kumar. The three, belonging to the 45th battalion of the force, were instrumental in thwarting a terror attack on their camp in Sumbal in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir on June 5 last year. "Due to their alertness and subsequent raising of an alarm, not only the terrorist attack was foiled but all the four heavily armed ...
40 detained in telecom fraud case in China
Chinese police have detained 40 suspects in connection with a telecom fraud case worth 43 million yuan, officials said. The case was registered after a citizen surnamed Hu reported to police in November 2017 that he was cheated of 4.60 lakh yuan in a suspected telecom fraud. Investigations showed that a fraud ring had set up foreign currency trading software to encourage members of the public to open accounts and make transactions through fake trading systems, state-run Xinhua news agency reported today. On February 1, Xinjiang police went to Xi'an in the northwest province of Shaanxi, where they believed the fraud ring was based and caught 199 suspects within a week. Police froze their accounts and issued a warrant for the ringleader surnamed Liu at the same time. Liu turned himself in on February 20, police said. There are more than 450 victims in the case. Xinjiang reeled under violence for years following unrest among Uygurs over the mass migration of Hans from other parts of ...
PM announces ex-gratia to the kin of those killed in Iraq
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh each to the next of the kin of 39 Indians who were killed in Iraq, official sources said. The mortal remains of 38 of the 39 Indians killed in war-torn Iraq were brought back to the country yesterday in a special aircraft and handed over to their relatives. Thirty-nine of the 40 Indian labourers were killed by terror group ISIS, while one of them managed to escape posing as a Muslim from Bangladesh. Out of the 39 killed, 27 hailed from Punjab, four from Himachal Pradesh, six from Bihar and two from West Bengal.
Polish trial opens for accomplice of Paris attacks mastermind
A Moroccan accomplice of Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the suspected mastermind of the deadly 2015 Islamic State attacks in Paris, went on trial today in Poland accused of belonging to the terror group, local media reported. Mourad T, 28, pleaded not guilty to the charges of being a member of a terrorist group but admitted to having been in possession of illegal narcotics and fake travel documents, the PAP news agency said. The trial underway in the southern city of Katowice is the first of its kind in Poland, one of the few EU members which has not experienced an attack by jihadists. The suspect was detained September 5, 2016 in Poland. If he is convicted, he could get between six months to eight years in prison. Prosecutors alleged that "between December 2014 and September 2016 Mourad T. was involved with an armed crime organisation -- an international terrorist organisation called Islamic State." They added that Mourad T was an "accomplice" and "scout" of Abaaoud, who allegedly planned the ..
Soldier killed, 4 others injured in Pakistan shelling along LoC
An Army jawan was today killed while four others including a lieutenant were injured as Pakistani troops shelled mortars at forward posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The cross-border shelling by Pakistan troops started in Krishna Ghati sector this morning and continued for over two hours, resulting in injuries to five soldiers including an officer, an Army officer said. One of the injured soldiers later succumbed to injuries at the military hospital. A police official said a lieutenant and two junior commissioned officers were among the injured and they were evacuated to command hospital in Udhampur district for specialized treatment. Earlier, defence spokesman Lt Col N N Joshi said that Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing from 0700 hours using small arms, automatics and mortars. "Indian Army has retaliated strongly, effectively and proportionately to the unprovoked ceasefire violation, he said. This
Hafiz Saeed's Milli Muslim League declared terror outfit by United States
The United States on Tuesday designated Milli Muslim League (MML), a the political front of Hafiz Saeed-led Jamaat-ud Dawa a foreign terrorist organisation.The US Department of State on Tuesday brought amendments to the designation of Pakistan-based banned terrorist organization Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT) and also included Tehreek-e- Azadi-e Kashmir (TAJK) under the list of terror organisation.The US also designated seven members of the MML as foreign terrorists for acting on behalf of LeT.The changes have been done to designate LeT as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Executive Order 13224, as per a press release by the US Department of State dated April 2.These designations seek to deny the resources it needs to plan and carry out further terrorist attacks.Among other consequences of the designations, LeT's property and interests in property subject to U.S. ...
Normal life disrupted in parts of Kashmir due to separatist-sponsored strikes
Normal life was paralysed in Kashmir for the second day today on a strike call given by separatists to protest the killings in encounters in Shopian and Anantnag districts on Sunday even as restrictions on movement of people continued in three districts and some parts of the city as a precautionary measure. "Restrictions under section 144 CrPC are in place for the second day in Kulgam and Shopian districts and parts of Anantnag as a precuationary measure to maintain law and order," a police official said. He said similar restrictions have been imposed in five police station areas of the city including Khanyar, Maharajgunj, Nowhatta, Rainawari and Safakadal. Schools, colleges and other educational institutions remained closed for the second day as authorities decided to suspend classwork to prevent any law and order problems. All examinations to be held today by universities in the valley and educational institutions have been postponed. Shops and other business establishments also ...
Cong MP objects to Centre's AFSPA move in Arunachal
Lok Sabha MP from Arunachal Pradesh, Ninong Ering, has voiced strong objection to the Centre's decision of extending Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) by six months to three districts of the state. "When Arunachal Pradesh is known as a peaceful state and the Centre is holding parleys to hammer out an acceptable solution to the Naga issue, what is the justification of AFSPA in the three districts of the state?" the Congress MP from Arunachal East Parliamentary constituency said. Speaking to PTI over phone from New Delhi, Ering alleged that the move reflected the "contradictory policy of the BJP-led NDA government". The Centre on Monday extended AFSPA in the state's three districts and eight police station areas, bordering Assam, by another six months. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the three districts Tirap, Changlang and Longding and eight police station areas have been declared "disturbed" under AFSPA, 1958. The eight ...
UN probes reports of 'serious harm to civilians' in Afghan airstrike
The United Nations said today it was probing "disturbing reports of serious harm to civilians" in an Afghan airstrike on a religious school that security sources left dozens of children dead or wounded. "Human Rights team on ground establishing facts. All parties reminded of obligations to protect civilians from impact of armed conflict," the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said in a brief statement. Hundreds of people were attending a graduation ceremony at the madrassa in a Taliban-controlled district in northeastern Afghanistan on Monday when Afghan Air Force helicopters struck, witnesses have told AFP. At least 59 people, including Taliban commanders meeting at the compound in Dashte Archi district in Kunduz province, were killed in the attack, Afghan security sources told AFP on the condition of anonymity. Most of the civilian victims were children, they said. "I myself counted 35 bodies," Abdul Khalil told AFP at the hospital in the provincial capital Kunduz ...
Arab Israeli man shot dead after crashing into hitch-hiking stop: officials
An Arab Israeli man was shot dead by soldiers today after crashing into a hitch-hiking stop in the occupied West Bank and then attempting to flee, officials said. No other injuries were reported and officials said the crash was still being investigated. It was not for now being labelled an attack. Israel's military said the incident occurred near the Jewish settlement of Ariel, south of the Palestinian city of Nablus. The driver was in a stolen car and being pursued when he crashed into the hitch-hiking spot, the army said in a statement. It was not clear if anyone was at the time present at the hitch-hiking stop, one of the designated locations for hailing a ride common in Israel and near Israeli settlements. He then attempted to flee on foot and was shot by soldiers in the area, the army said. It did not provide details on the driver's identity, but official Palestinian news agency WAFA identified him as an Arab Israeli. Palestinians and Arab Israelis have regularly carried out ...
US museum stalls Hiroshima exhibit over nuke weapon ban push
A museum in a once-secret New Mexico city that developed the atomic bomb has put an exhibit from Japan on hold because its theme of abolishing nuclear weapons. The Los Alamos Historical Museum in Los Alamos, New Mexico, recently announced it won't be hosting a traveling exhibit organized by the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum until all parties can work out their differences over the theme. The move comes as the Los Alamos National Laboratory is competing with the Savannah River Site in South Carolina to continue production of plutonium "pits." Scientists working in the then-secret city of Los Alamos developed the atomic bomb as part of the World War II-era Manhattan Project. The bombs were later dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
'Several children' among Yemen Hodeida strike dead: UN
Several children were among those killed in a strike on rebel-held Yemeni port Hodeida, the UN said, calling it "one of the deadliest attacks" on minors in the country for years. "The United Nations has verified the killing of several children in an attack... in the coastal city of Hodeida in western Yemen," children's agency UNICEF said in a statement yesterday. "Many children are reported missing as the injured and killed are still being pulled out from the rubble." The statement described the attack as "one of the deadliest attacks on children since the conflict in Yemen escalated in March 2015". A security source told AFP Monday that an air strike had killed 16 people in a building where Huthi rebels were gathering. There were conflicting reports on the number of rebels versus civilians killed in the strike which was believed to have been carried out by the Saudi-led coalition. The coalition said it was investigating the reports. The strike occurred in the district of Al-Hali in ..
Global concerns over Islamic forces gaining ground in Bangladesh
As Bangladesh gears up for the general elections to be held in December this year, the Islamic forces in the country have started gaining ground.The Khalida Zia-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), in alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami and other Islamic fundamentalist groups, are making attempts to root out the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League.Experts believe that the Jamaat-e-Islami has committed war crimes during the 1971 Liberation War and killed three million people in the name of Islam.Around 500,000 women were reportedly violated by the Pakistan Army and their collaboratorsShahriar Kabir, a Dhaka-based journalist and human rights activist, said, "The rise of Islamic militancy, terrorism in the name of Islam that is being perpetrated by the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Hifazat-e-Islam, and backed by the BNP, one of the largest political parties of Bangladesh. Because of the BNP, the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Hifazat-e-Islam as well as other fundamentalist and extremist groups have become so
Bihar opposition protests police action against Dalits
The RJD, Congress and CPI-ML legislators protested in the Bihar Assembly on Tuesday against the police action on Dalits during demonstrations in the state the previous day.
Five soldiers injured in Pakistan firing on LoC
Five soldiers were injured on Tuesday in Pakistani firing on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, police said.
JK: Terrorists break into civilian's house, kidnap 1
Four terrorists barged into the house of a civilian in Hajin area of Bandipora district on Monday night.The terrorists fired indiscriminately and caused serious injuries to one Farooq Parrey's wife, daughter and brother, according to an official statement.The injured have been identified as Rafeeqa, Neelofar and Hilal Ahmad Parrey.The militants, who are believed to be affiliated with the militant organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba, carried knives causing serious injuries to the residents of the house.The injured in the incident have been shifted to Srinagar.The militants have also abducted one Muntazir Ahmad Parrey from the house.Meanwhile, an FIR has been lodged, and the police have begun an investigation.
Twitter mourns the loss of anti-apartheid activist Winnie Mandela
Twitter is mourning the loss of South Africa's Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the anti-apartheid campaigner and former wife of the late Nelson Mandela.The activist died following a long illness at age of 81, stated an official statement issued by her family.Her followers and fans have been outpouring their grief on the social media.A fan wrote, "A hero, a mother and a legend has passed on. Her legacy will live on and we will remember her as the mother of the nation. We salute you Mother Winnie Mandela. Rest in Peace great soul, Winnie Madikizela Mandela #RIPWinnieMandela #WinnieMandela".A hero, a mother and a legend has passed on. Her legacy will live on and we will remember her as the mother of the nation. We salute you Mother Winnie Mandela. Rest in Peace great soul, Winnie Madikizela Mandela???????????? #RIPWinnieMandela#WinnieMandelapic.twitter.com/QhsddUfP36— Christo (@ChristoThurston) April 2, 2018Another fan tweeted, "Power. Bravery. Wisdom. Timeless Beauty. RIP Winnie ...
Civilian abducted by militants in Bandipora
Militants abducted a civilian and injured three of his relatives in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said today. Suspected militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba barged into house of one Farooq Ahmad Parray at Hajin in Bandipora district last night and opened fire on inmates, a police spokesman said. "The terrorists used knives to causegrievousinjuries to wife, daughter and brother of Farooq," he said. The militants also abductedMuntazir Ahmad Parrey, son-in-law of the house owner from there, the spokesman said. "Efforts are on by the police to trace out the abducted person," he added. The injured persons have been shifted to a hospital here for treatment. The spokesman said the militants had killed Farooq Ahmad's son last year. "Muzzafar Ahmad Parrey was killed ruthlessly by terrorists last summer. He was first decapitated and then the body was thrown into the river," he added.
Amnesty calls on Mali to probe extrajudicial killings
Amnesty International today called on authorities in Mali to investigate extra-judicial killings following the discovery last week of a mass grave containing six bodies. The rights group said it had collected evidence that "the six bodies found in a mass grave on 25 March had been arrested by the military three days earlier in the village of Dogo and taken away to an unknown location." "This macabre discovery comes after weeks of escalating violence which has left civilians in central Mali caught in the crossfire, facing enforced disappearances and unlawful killings by the military on one side, and roadside bombs and abductions by armed groups on the other," Amnesty's West Africa researcher Gaetan Mootoo said in a statement. "We are urging the Malian authorities to investigate reports of enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings of civilians in the central region, and bring all those suspected of criminal responsibility to justice," Mootoo said. The UN Mission in Mali ...
Srinagar restrictions continue after extension of separatist-shutdown
Restrictions continued in parts of Srinagar and some other places in the Kashmir Valley on Tuesday after separatists extended their protest shutdown against the killings of four civilians in Shopian district on Sunday.