Page 699 - War Conflict
Large cache of ammunition recovered near a river in Nashik
The city police recovered a large cache of firearm ammunition, including 212 live cartridges and 56 empty rounds, from under a bridge in the district, an official said today. The sarpanch of Wasali village yesterday informed the Satpur police about some locals having spotted the cartridges under the bridge, which is located over the Nasardi river near the Trimbakeshwar temple town. An official along with a team from the Satpur police station went to the spot around 9.30 pm and found 113 live cartridges and 41 empty rounds lying scattered on the bank of the river, assistant police inspector S S Varhade said. The police official then informed about it to his seniors. A bomb detection and disposal squad was subsequently rushed to the spot which, during a search in the area, found a plastic bag containing another 99 live cartridges and 15 empty rounds, close to the spot where the police had found the ammunition, Varhade said. The police seized all the cartridges and ...
Cabinet approves Opening of Missions in Africa to implement commitments of India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-III)
The 18 new Indian Missions in Africa will be opened in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Rwanda, Sao Tome& Principe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Swaziland and Togo over a four year period from 2018-2021 thereby increasing the number of Resident Indian Missions in Africa from 29 to 47.
Pressure mounts on Putin over spy poisoning scandal
International pressure mounted on Russia's Vladimir Putin over the the Cold-War style poisoning of a spy on British soil, as an ugly war of words took a stinging new turn with comparisons to Hitler in the 1930s. US President Donald Trump agreed with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron "on the need to take action to hold Russia accountable" following the attempted murder of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. Trump expressed "solidarity with the United Kingdom in the wake of Russia's use of chemical weapons against private citizens on British soil," the White House said Wednesday after a phone call between the pair. However the comments came a day after Trump called Putin to congratulate him on his re-election to the Russian presidency, drawing criticism for failing to condemn the poisoning or even mention the scandal. Britain and its allies say Russia was behind the attack on Skripal and his daughter, who remain in a critical condition after being poisoned in
Austin bomber left confession video before killing himself: Police
The main suspect in a wave of bombing attacks in Texas capital city of Austin left a video in which he confessed his actions before committing suicide, police said.
China wants to loot our resources: Baloch activist
Chinese President Xi Jinping's statement that Beijing is ready to fight the bloody battle against its enemies for its position in the world shows the country is present in Pakistan to loot resources, a Baloch activist said.Baloch political activist Munir Mengal said it was clear from Xi's remarks while addressing the National People's Congress (NPC) that Chinese only believed in manipulating people.The Baloch Voice Association President said the people of China were not ready to give anything to anyone but wanted to loot, subjugate and dominate other countries.The Chinese President had in a speech after becoming the President of the country without any term limit said China was not ready to give an inch of its territory to anyone.The activist said Pakistan was a victim of Chinese expansion in the name of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) from Gilgit Baltistan to Gwadar Port.Mengal said the country had military designs and not economic ones. "It is very clear that they are going .
Sri Lanka ppposition submits no-confidence motion against PM
The Sri Lankan opposition submitted a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, accusing him of financial mismanagement and failing to tackle anti-Muslim riots in central Kandy district, earlier this month.The no-confidence motion with 55 signatures was handed over to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya by the joint opposition, local media reported.51 members of the joint opposition and four legislators from President Maithripala Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) had signed the motion.An emergency was imposed on March 6 in certain parts of the country, after clashes erupted between the Buddhist and Muslim community.The state of emergency was declared due to violent and criminal activities, which had taken place in the country, earlier in March.It had led to the loss of lives and damaged property.Further, the violence in Sri Lankan town Kandy had caused tension and discord among ethnic and religious groups, leading to attacks on religious places, property, and ...
UN condemns terror attack in Kabul
The United Nations has strongly condemned the deadly attack near a university in Afghanistan's capital Kabul that killed at least 33 people and injured 65 others as Afghans gathered to celebrate the Persian new year Nowruz. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has underscored the need to hold perpetrators and financiers of these "reprehensible" acts accountable, a day after the IS-claimed attack targeted "a gathering of Shiites celebrating Nowruz." In a statement attributable to his spokesperson, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres offered his condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. "Nowruz is a time of renewal and celebration, and should be a time for promoting the values of peace and solidarity," he said, reiterating that those organised the attack "must be brought to justice." The UN chief also expressed his solidarity with the government and the people of Afghanistan in the aftermath of the violence. In a separate statement, ..
Strike near school in Syria's Idlib kills 16 children: monitor
An air strike hit near a school in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib today, killing at least 16 children, a monitoring organisation said. "Twenty civilians, including 16 children, were killed in an air strike in Kafr Batikh in Idlib province," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the Britain-based monitor, said the strike hit near a checkpoint held by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist group that consists largely of ex-members of a former Al-Qaeda affiliate. It was not clear whether the air strike was carried out by the Syrian regime or its Russian ally. Abdel Rahman said the strike hit children coming out of a nearby school. "The oldest among them is 11," he said. In Kafr Batikh, the children's devastated families wrapped the tiny bodies of their children in thick wool blankets. They adorned their makeshift shrouds with olive branches and other greenery from trees in the village orchard before lowering them into graves deep in the red ...
Austin bombing suspect Mark Conditt dies
The suspected serial bomber who terrorised Austin with a string of exploding packages died on Wednesday, after detonating an explosive device in his vehicle as the police closed in on him.According to The Washington Post, Austin police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) tracked suspect Mark Conditt to a hotel parking lot in Round Rock, Tex., which is about 18 miles north of the Texas capital, and found his vehicle there.The officers wanted to wait for tactical units to arrive before trying to take him into custody, but he started to drive away.The man stopped on the side of the Interstate 35 frontage road, and as Austin Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) officers approached him, he detonated a bomb, knocking one of the officers backward and injuring him.A SWAT officer then fired at the suspect, who died inside the vehicle, the police chief confirmed.However, at the moment, it is unclear whether Conditt died from the explosion or from gunfire.Interim Austin Police Chief ...
Kabul blast leaves 31 dead
The death toll in the suicide bombing, which occurred in Afghanistan's capital city, Kabul on Wednesday, has risen to 31.According to Tolo News, the Ministry of Public Health has confirmed the death toll and said 65 others were wounded in the blast.Terrorist organisation Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, which happened close to Kabul University and Ali Abad hospital.News reports quoted the interior ministry as saying that a suicide bomber had detonated his explosives while walking among a group of people.The attack happened as many Afghans are marking the Nowruz holiday, a celebration of the start of spring.Afghan President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, according to a statement issued by the Presidential Palace.Meanwhile, India condemned the attack and termed it as inhumane and barbaric.External Affairs Ministry said, India stands ready to extend all possible assistance, including for treatment of ...
IS suicide bomber kills 33 as Afghans celebrate new year
An Islamic State group suicide bomber struck on the road to a Shiite shrine in Afghanistan's capital today, killing at least 33 people as Afghans celebrated the Persian new year, authorities said. Wahid Majro, spokesman for The Public Health Ministry, said 65 people were wounded in the attack, which was carried out by a bomber on foot. IS claimed the attack in an online statement, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadi websites. The group said the attack targeted "a gathering of Shiites celebrating Nowruz." The Persian new year, known in Afghanistan as Nowruz, is a national holiday, and the country's minority Shiites typically celebrate by visiting shrines. The Sunni extremists of IS have repeatedly targeted Shiites, who they view as apostates deserving of death. The attack took place near Kabul University and a government hospital, around one kilometer (mile) away from the Sakhi shrine, where people were gathered to celebrate the new year, said Gen Daud Amin,
J-K: Five jawans, five terrorist killed in Kupwara encounter
At least five terrorists and five security personnel have been killed in an ongoing encounter in north Kashmir's Kupwara district on Wednesday.A police spokesperson identified the slain policemen as special police officer (SPO) Mohammad Yousuf, of Kachama village of Kupwara, and selection grade constable Deepak Thesoo, of Nagrota of Jammu region. Another SPO Javaid Ahmad was injured, but his condition is said to be stable.According to the media reports, the deceased soldiers have been identified as Sepoy Ashraf Rather of 160 Territorial Army and Naik Ranjeet Kholka of 5 Bihar Regiment.The identification of the third soldier is awaited.The encounter site is around 8 km from Kupwara town and Halmathpora is the last village before the LoC, which is 20-25 km away from the spot.More details are awaited.
Militant, five security men killed as Kupwara gunfight continues
At least three soldiers, two policemen and a militant were killed on Wednesday as the gunfight in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district entered its second day officials said.
Jharkhand's top Naxal 'commander' Arvindji dead: Sources
Top Naxal 'commander' Arvindji, operating in Jharkhand, is reported to have died today of a heart attack in the jungles of the state, sources in the security establishment said. Official sources said the horse-riding Arvindji alias Dev Kumar Singh alias Nishant was in his 50s and died early today in the jungles of the Budha Pahad in Jharkhand, bordering Chhattisgarh. The 'A category', most wanted Naxal leader was a member of the central committee of the banned CPI (Maoist) and carried a reward of Rs 1.5 crore on his head, declared by the police forces of Jharkhand and Bihar. "We have reports to confirm that Arvindji is dead. It is understood that he suffered a heart attack today that claimed his life while he was in the Budha Pahar area," a senior security official said. However, security agencies and police did not make an independent confirmation on the development. They said the "well-educated and technology expert" Naxal leader was suffering from several diseases, including ...
Pak condemns suicide attack in Kabul
Pakistan today strongly condemned a suicide attack near a Shia shrine in the Afghan capital that killed 29 people and wounded 52 others. "We are grieved at the loss of precious and innocent lives in this brutal attack of terrorism.We express our deepest sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," the Foreign Office said in a statement. Pakistan reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations and expresses solidarity with the government and people of Afghanistan in their fight against the menace of terrorism, it further said. An Islamic State suicide bomber struck on the road to a Shia shrine in Kabul today, killing at least 29 people. The Afghan Public Health Ministry said another 52 people were wounded in the attack.
Be cautious on security after changes in China: M.M. Joshi
India should be cautious about its internal security as well as security along the border in light of the recent developments in China, veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Murli Manohar Joshi said on Wednesday.
Kupwara encounter: 3 Army jawans, 2 cops killed; 5 militants eliminated
The nearly 48-hour gunbattle in the dense Kupwara forest in north Kashmir ended tonight, with five security personnel, including three Army jawans and two policemen, dead and an equal number of militants killed, police said. Giving details of the incident, a police spokesman said that the encounter broke out in the Halmatpora area, at least 8 kms from the Line of Control (LoC), after a police party intercepted a group of militants. A joint team of the Kupwara police along with companies of the Army, the Territorial Army (TA) and the CRPF were engaged in the operations which began last morning. The encounter has brought to light gaps in the Army's vigil along the LoC as the group of militants had managed to sneak in nearly 8 kms after crossing two ridges of the Shamsabari mountain range. The militants had met their "reception party" (overground workers and militants already present in the Valley) after crossing the LoC and were proceeding towards Kupwara town when they were spotted by .
India condemns 'barbaric' terrorist attack in Kabul
India today strongly condemned the "inhumane and barbaric" terrorist attack in Kabul and extended all possible assistance to the war-torn country. In a statement, the External Affairs Ministry said it was not only an attack on the Afghan people but also an attack on their identity and culture. "What makes this attack particularly reprehensible is the fact that the terrorists and their backers chose the festive day of Nauroz to carry out their heinous act," it said. India stands ready to extend all possible assistance, including for the treatment of those injured, the ministry asserted. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family members of the victims, and we wish quick and complete recovery to the injured," it added. An Islamic State suicide bomber struck on the road to a Shiite shrine in Afghanistan's capital today, killing at least 29 people. The Public Health Ministry said another 52 people were wounded in the attack, which was carried out by a bomber on foot.
Austin serial bomber blows himself up after police surround him
The suspected "serial bomber" who terrorised the US state of Texas, especially its capital Austin, for nearly three weeks with parcel bombs is dead after he blew himself up in his car as a SWAT team closed in, police said today. Austin has been on edge amid the attacks, which have led to the deployment of hundreds of police officers to the city. Since the bombings started on March 2, investigators frantically searched for clues, calling the attacks the work of a "serial bomber" who increasingly changed tactics. Two people were killed and six others injured in five bombings, terrorising the Texan capital with fear for 19 days. The suspect, identified by US media as Mark Anthony Conditt, a white man, was killed after detonating a device when officers approached his car off a highway in the city of Round Rock, north of the state capital. Police said the suspect was 24, but some reports citing public records said he was 23. The man, whom police did not name publicly, detonated a bomb in ..
US rules out hot pursuit of militants who flee to Pakistan
The US forces in Afghanistan have no plans to cross the international border to take out the Taliban and other militants who flee to Pakistan after conducting attacks inside the war-torn country, according to a top Pentagon official. Afghanistan has witnessed some of the worst terrorist attacks killing scores of people. It has blamed Pakistan-based terror groups such as the Haqqani Network and the Afghan Taliban for these attacks. "To be clear, US military authorities are within the borders of Afghanistan only. We have no authority to go into Pakistan. If there is a way to get that authority, but that would certainly be the exception and not the norm and would not be," Lt Col Mike Andrews, a spokesperson of the Department of Defence, said yesterday after his return from Afghanistan where he accompanied US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. "Say, for example, we have troops in contact and then the Taliban militants go across the border. They are clearly inside Pakistan then. There's no ...