Page 689 - War Conflict
After communal tension, Bihar officials seek calm
Authorities in Bihar on Wednesday appealed for calm after communal tension gripped parts of the state during Ram Navami celebrations.
Geelani's son listed as prosecution witness by NIA in terror funding case
Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani's son as well as the son of noted businessman Zahoor Ahmed Watali have been listed among the "prosecution witnesses" by the National Investigation Agency in a case related to terror funding in the Kashmir Valley. The NIA, which filed a charge sheet in the case in January this year, have named Watali's son Yasir Gaffar at serial number 30 and Geelani's son Naim-ul-Zaffar at serial number 37 in the list of prosecution witnesses submitted to a special court. The NIA has also submitted eight-page and four-page statements given by Ghaffar and Zaffar respectively to an NIA official during the course of investigation. A statement given before a police official is not admissible as a primary evidence in the court. The charge sheet has been filed by the NIA against 12 people, including Lashker-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed and Hizbul Mujahideen terror group's head Syed Salahuddin. Both of them are in Pakistan. Ten people arrested by the NIA in ...
French supermarket attack: 'Hero' policeman honoured
A French police officer who died after he offered himself in exchange for a hostage in a supemarket siege was honoured in Paris on Wednesday.
Gangster, 2 cops injured in exchange of fire
A gangster and two policemen suffered injuries during exchange of fire near Bengaluru's Cottonpete area on Wednesday.All the three injured persons, including the police personnel, were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.The gangster, identified as Nirmal, is involved in more than three cases and has been on the run for the last three and a half years, according to the police.The police had information that he was conspiring to kill another rowdy sheeter Atush along with his associates.Acting on the tip-off, police moved to the spot to arrest him. The accused refused to surrender even after repeated warnings and injured two security personnel.One of the police inspectors fired two rounds in retaliatory fire, and one round hit him in his left leg.Meanwhile, a police investigation is underway.
Security forces trace infiltrator militants, engage them in gun fight in Rajouri
A gun fight broke out today between the security personnel and some militants, who had infiltrated from across the LoC four-five days back in Rajouri sector and were traced to be in its Sunderbani tehsil after days of combing operations, the police said. Amid the ongoing encounter between the security forces and the militants, the authorities refuted reports of a terror attack at a CRPF camp, but ordered closure of all educational institutions in the tehsil as a precautionary measure. "An encounter has broken out between Nowshera-Sunderbani belt after a group of infiltrator militants were intercepted by the security forces today," J&K Director General of Police S P Vaid told PTI. He refuted reports of a terror attack by the militants terming them as "totally false." Giving further details, Rajouri SSP Yougal Manhas said three bags of ammunition and explosives were recovered from outside a CRPF camp in Sunderbani. As per the reports, a security guard manning the gate of a CRPF camp
Islamic State haunts northern Iraq months after its defeat
On a desolate highway in northern Iraq last week, nine federal police officers packed into a large SUV were stopped at a checkpoint they had never seen before. Behind them, a taxi carrying a handful of other officers lagged behind on the long drive from the northern city of Kirkuk back to the capital, Baghdad. Men dressed as Shiite paramilitaries asked the policemen to hand over their IDs and weapons for inspection, and then took them hostage. When the taxi rolled up, the men at the checkpoint opened fire, causing it to turn around and speed off, according to one of the men in the vehicle. Those who had been in the SUV would not be seen again until days later, when photos circulated on jihadi forums showed them being forced to kneel before being shot dead by their captors. The Islamic State group claimed the killings. Iraq declared victory over IS in December after driving the militants from the last territory under their control, but in recent months the group has resumed ...
Afghanistan: 26 militants killed in last 24 hrs
As many as 26 militants have been killed in the last 24 hours by the Afghan air forces and ground operations, Afghanistan's defence ministry said.TOLOnews quoted the defence ministry's spokesperson, Mohammad Radmanish as saying that out of the 26 killed, 12 Taliban militants were killed in Khak-e-Safed and Balabuluk districts of Farah province and in Farah, the provincial capital.Six militants lost their lives in Trinkot district of Uruzgan province, while four others were killed in Greshk province of Helmand province.The Taliban and other militant groups are yet to react to the latest development.
Gunfight starts in J&K's Rajouri district
A gunfight started on Wednesday between the security forces and militants in Sunderbani area in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, official said.
Centre seeks report from W Bengal govt on violence during Ram Navami
The Centre has sought a report from the West Bengal government on incidents of arson and violence during Ram Navami processions in the last two days and offered assistance to deal with the situation, an official spokesperson said. In a communication, the Ministry of Home Affairs asked the West Bengal government to send a report about the incident, the steps being taken to restore normalcy and the action taken against those involved in the violence. The Centre also offered assistance of paramilitary forces in the light of reports of continuing violence and tension in some districts of the state, the MHA spokesperson said. At least two persons were killed and nearly a dozen others injured, some of them seriously, in intermittent violence involving Ramanavami processions at various places in West Bengal, including Purulia, Murshidabad, Bardhman West and Raniganj. The injured included several policemen with a senior police officer losing a hand after a bomb was hurled at him during a ...
Aurangabad violence: 125 held, normalcy restored, says police
Aurangabad DG (BMP) Gupteshwar Pandey on Wednesday said more than 125 people have been arrested following communal clashes that erupted in Bihar's Aurangabad during Rama Navami celebrations on Sunday.He said, "I will request people not to pay attention to rumours. Goons will not be spared by the administration. More than 125 people have been arrested. More arrests will be made.""Situation has returned to normalcy," he added.The situation became tense on Sunday evening when rioters set ablaze more than 20 shops and pelted stones at those participating in a Rama Navami procession through Nawadih Colony.As per reports, nearly 50 shops near Jama Masjid located on Old GT Road were torched by rioters, while nearly 60 persons, including 20 policemen were injured due to stone pelting by miscreants.The situation further intensified on Monday, which thereby led to a curfew being imposed in the vicinity. Furthermore, internet services were reportedly suspended for a 24-hour time span.Meanwhile, .
Centre seeks report from Bengal on Ram Navami violence
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday asked for a report from the West Bengal government on incidents of arson and violence during Ram Navami processions in the last two days, officials said.
India calls for timely reimbursement to nations for UN peacekeeping operations
India has emphasised the importance of timely reimbursements to nations for their contributions to UN peacekeeping operations, saying success of such missions depend on addressing structural challenges of timely payments, adequate resources and well-trained troops. "UN's Peace Operations have changed drastically. Peacekeepers are increasingly charged with implementing complex mandates, they have to frequently perform in challenging environments, in integrated and multi-dimensional missions, First Secretary in India's Permanent Mission to the UN Mahesh Kumar said here yesterday. Kumar was speaking at a session on financing of UN peacekeeping operations. He said while the troops and police contributing countries have been asked to provide well equipped and trained troops, the recognition of the importance of reimbursement to the peacekeeping partnership needs to be strengthened. "Operationally, while the importance of clear mandates, most contemporary guidelines and policies from the ...
South Korea repatriates remains of 20 Chinese soldiers
Seoul repatriated the remains of 20 Chinese soldiers killed during the Korean War today, its defence ministry said, reflecting warming ties between the former Cold War foes. South Korean soldiers handed over lacquered wooden caskets covered with red Chinese flags to Chinese honour guards at Incheon airport, west of Seoul, where they were loaded onto a Chinese air force cargo plane. The transfer brought the total number of Chinese remains repatriated since a 2013 agreement to 589. The repatriations took place ahead of China's annual Qingming -- tomb-sweeping -- festival, when many people visit and clean the graves of their ancestors. An estimated three million Communist Chinese troops played a crucial role in support of the North during the 1950-53 conflict, known in China as the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. They saved the North from defeat as US-led United Nations forces drove Kim Il Sung's army back towards the Chinese frontier in late 1950, before the two sides ended ..
US government installations receive suspicious packages
Several US government installations near Washington, including three military sites, received suspicious packages in the mail, the FBI reported on Tuesday.
EU lawmakers continue fact-finding trip to West Bank
Members of the European Parliament on Tuesday continued their fact-finding trip to the occupied West Bank a day after their visit to the city of Hebron coincided with the takeover of two Palestinian homes there by Israeli settlers.
Knife attacker kills 3 in Sudan mosque: police
A man attacked worshippers with a knife inside a mosque in Sudan's eastern state of Kasala today, killing three people and wounding several others, a police officer told AFP. Kasala police chief Yahi Sulayman said it took place when worshippers had gathered for evening prayers in a mosque in Kasala city which borders Eritrea. "Three people have been killed and several wounded," Sulayman said. A medic at a hospital where the wounded were brought said they had been stabbed. Residents said the attacker had tried to address worshippers who refused to listen to him and then started stabbing them. "People in the mosque then retaliated and killed the attacker," Sulayman said, adding that the identity of the attacker had not been established. Since January Sudan has shut its eastern border with Eritrea, days after Khartoum declared an emergency in the state of Kasala. Officials say the decision to declare emergency was part of a government campaign to collect illegal arms in the ...
NATO to expel 7 Russian diplomats over 'ex-spy poisoning'
NATO became the latest entity to dismiss Russian diplomats over Moscow's alleged role in a nerve agent attack against a former double agent in Salisbury, as the trans-Atlantic organisation announced on Tuesday that seven officials would have their accreditation withdrawn.
UK man gets life for trying to form 'army' of child terrorists
A British man who used his role as an unqualified teacher at an Islamic school to try and recruit an "army" of children to commit terror attacks was today handed a life sentence. Umar Ahmed Haque, 25, will serve a minimum of 25 years in jail after being found guilty at London's Old Bailey of trying to radicalise scores of children to commit a mass attack on businesses and communities in London. Haque, from east London, showed pupils the religious school, known as a madrasa, videos of "extreme terrorist violence" and made them "roleplay terrorists" stabbing police officers. Accomplices, Abuthaher Mamun, 29, and Muhammad Abid, 27, were sentenced to 13 years and 4 years respectively. "I welcome today's sentences, which have ensured that three men complicit in a plot to radicalise vulnerable young children and use them to attack businesses and communities in London are now in prison," said Dean Haydon from London's Metropolitan Police. "He (Haque) wanted to orchestrate numerous attacks at
Police deny nod to hold rallies in Bhide's support tomorrow
Police today cited possible law and order situation to deny permission to Shiv Pratishthan Hindustan to hold rallies in Pune and Mumbai in support of Hindutva leader Manohar alias Sambhaji Bhide, one of the main accused in the Bhima Koregaon caste violence of January 1. In Mumbai, the Pratishthan wanted to hold a rally from Byculla to Azad Maidan in south Mumbai and from Shaniwarwada to the district collectorate in Pune. However, police allowed the organisation to hold a gathering at Azad Maidan, a Mumbai police official said. "We have denied permission to the march," said Shrikant Shinde, senior inspector, Vishrambaug police station, Pune. Pune district president of Pratishthan Sanjay Jadhar alleged the police denied them permission at the "last moment". He said Bhide's supporters would still gather at the riverbed near Shaniwarwada in the city to "express their sentiments" and hold the march. Jadhar said the outfit wanted the case against Bhide to be withdrawn ...
Afghan air force drops first laser-guided bomb during combat
NATO says the Afghan air force dropped its first laser-guided bomb during combat after completing training on how to use the sophisticated weapons system. A NATO statement today says the bomb was dropped on a Taliban compound in a "direct hit" in the western Farah province last Thursday. It says the precision targeting allowed the air force to avoid harming nearby civilians. The new system is part of US and NATO efforts to bolster Afghanistan's military. Afghan forces have struggled to contain the Taliban and a powerful Islamic State affiliate since international forces formally concluded their combat mission at the end of 2014.