Page 713 - War Conflict
Ahir to visit Raipur
Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir will visit Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur to pay homage to the nine CRPF personnel killed in an landmine blast triggered by suspected Naxals. "Union minister Ahir along with Chief Minister Raman Singh will pay tribute to the martyred paramilitary personnel at the camp of the 4th battalion of Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) in Mana area tomorrow morning," a government official said. Ahir will reach here late tonight, he added. In a brazen attack, Naxals blew up an anti-landmine vehicle, killing nine CRPF personnel in Kistaram area of Sukma district. Chief minister Raman Singh visited two injured CPRF personnel in a hospital here late this evening.
Sedition case in pro-militant slogans at Rajouri's BGSBU
Police have registered a sedition case in connection with the sloganeering by a section of students of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) in favour of the slain militant Eisa Fazili, who was killed by the security forces in the Kashmir valley yesterday, and Pakistan. A section of students, mostly belonging to the Kashmir valley, boycotted classes and raised slogans. A sedition case has been registered by the police in connection with the sloganeering and investigation has been started, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Rajouri, Yougal Manhas said today. He said police are undertaking identification of the students engaged in raising slogans and those who will be involved in the act will be punished. He said that Vice Chancellor of the University will also initiate departmental action against those responsible. Eisa Fazili, a terrorist of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen, was among three militants killed in a gunbattle with security forces in Hakura area of Anantnag district in South
Sukma attack: Rajnath asks MoS Ahir to visit Chhattisgarh
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday asked Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir to visit Chhattisgarh and review the situation in the wake of killing of nine CRPF personnel in a Maoist attack in Sukma district.
Trump admin wants to force Taliban to reconciliation: Pentagon
The Trump administration is adopting a multi-pronged strategy to "force" the Taliban to reconciliation, a top Pentagon commander told lawmakers today. The multi-pronged strategy includes military pressure, political pressure and those applied through regional partners like Pakistan, US Central Command Commander Gen Joseph Votel told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee during a Congressional hearing. "I think the key strategy; the big idea here is to force the Taliban to reconciliation. The way we do that is by focusing on military pressure, by focusing on political pressure working with the regional partners such as Pakistan, and it's through social pressure," Votel said in response to a question. This also includes ensuring that the government of Afghanistan continues to make the necessary reforms that its President Ashraf Ghani has already committed to and that he is moving out on. "This includes not only addressing endemic problems with corruption, but also ensuring that
IAF lands its largest transport aircraft in Arunachal Pradesh's Tuting
The Indian Air Force's largest transport aircraft -- C-17 Globemaster -- today landed at Arunachal Pradesh's Tuting airfield which is close to the Chinese border. The landing of the US-manufactured aircraft is seen as part of the IAF's move to strengthen its overall operations in the strategically-key border state. "The C17 Globemaster carried out a historic landing at Tuting Advanced Landing Ground. The mission was executed flawlessly owing to its superlative performance and excellent flying skills of pilots," said an IAF spokesperson. Troops of India and China were locked in a 73-day-long standoff in Doklam from June 16 last year after the Indian side stopped the building of a road in the disputed area by the Chinese Army. The face-off ended on August 28. Sources said China has been keeping its troops in north Doklam and significantly ramping up its infrastructure in the disputed area.
Moscow slams Britain's spy poison claims as 'attempt to discredit Russia'
Russia today slammed Britain's accusations of involvement in the poisoning of a former double agent as an attempt to discredit Moscow and demanded that London give it access to the nerve agent. The Russian foreign ministry summoned the British ambassador to a meeting in Moscow over remarks by British Prime Minister Theresa May that it was likely Russia was behind the poisoning and that London would consider ways of retaliating. "Actions by the British authorities are openly provocative," said a statement by the Russian foreign ministry. "The incident is yet another dirty attempt by British authorities to discredit Russia." "Any threats of sanction measures against Russia will not be left without a response," it said. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov added that Britain should have sent Moscow an official request about the substance used on its soil. Lavrov demanded to be given access to the substance used to poison former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia on ...
Rajnath to inaugurate international police conference on cyber crime
Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh will on Wednesday inaugurate a two-day Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) here during which cyber crime, radicalisation and terrorism will be prime themes for discussion, an official statement said.
Usage of MPVs in Sukma Naxal blast under scanner
The usage of an 'all visible' mine protected vehicle (MPV), in which nine CRPF men were killed today in Chhattisgarh, with Maoists lurking around in a denuded forest area is being seen as a glaring lapse and the rationale to use them is being probed, officials said. The CRPF headquarters here has ordered for a Court of Inquiry (CoI) into the incident even as field commanders of the paramilitary and local police have been asked to prepare a detailed sequence of events that led to the deadly improvised explosive device (IED) attack, where a modern armoured vehicle was blown into multiple pieces. Officials said after a strong squad of about 120-150 Maoists was first spotted at about 8 AM along the 5-km under-construction road between Kistaram and Palodi in the Sukma district, a local alert was issued to all the security forces camps in the area to watch their movements and ensure camp security. This morning ambush was thwarted by the commandos of the CoBRA- CRPF's special jungle warfare .
Army expresses frustration over inadequate fund allocation in defence budget
The Army has said it was reeling under severe fund crunch and struggling to even make emergency procurements when it was dealing with an assertive China along the northern border after the Doklam face-off and increasing hostilities from Pakistan on the western frontier. The Army told a parliamentary panel that the insufficient allocation to it in the defence budget was going to hit the Army's modernisation at a time when Chinese military was competing to reach the level of the US and Pakistan bolstering capability of its forces. Vice Chief of Army Lt Gen Sarath Chand said 68 per cent of the Army's equipment is in the 'vintage category', adding fund crunch will also impact the serviceability of the existing equipment and may even affect payment of instalments for past purchases. The Army's frustrations over inadequate allocations of funds in the defence budget for next fiscal figured in a report of the Standing Committee on Defence which was tabled in Lok Sabha today. Talking about the
Asia-Pacific meet on cyber crime to begin tomorrow
Growing interest of terrorist groups and radical elements in exploiting the cyberspace and its advanced technologies for their various heinous crimes and nefarious designs and how to deal with them will be discussed at a two-day international conference beginning here tomorrow. Home Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the two-day Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) which will discuss and find ways on "Challenges to Policing in 2020- How is Cyber Space shaping our approach to Cybercrime & Terrorism, how do we perform within it and take advantage of it". The regional conference is being organised by the Asia-Pacific World Regional Office (APWRO) of the IACP in partnership with the Intelligence Bureau. The Director of the Intelligence Bureau, as the Chair of APWRO, is the host of the conference. The phenomenal growth and influence of cyber space and cyber technology have opened new challenges in the field of policing in ...
Nine CRPF personnel killed in Chhattisgarh Maoist attack (Roundup)
At least nine CRPF personnel were killed and two injured in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Tuesday, in one of the deadliest attacks by the Maoist rebels on security forces this year.
No need to extend 'State of Emergency' in Lanka, ban on social media to be lifted by Friday: Mins
The Sri Lankan government is unlikely to extend the 10-day nationwide state of emergency imposed after communal riots erupted in Kandy district, as no fresh incidents of violence has been reported from anywhere in the country, the new Law and Order Minister has said. Also, the government said that the restriction on the use of social media, including the Facebook would lifted by Friday. Communal violence broke out in the country's scenic district following the death of a man from the mainly Buddhist Sinhalese majority, resulting in the death of two persons and damage to several homes, businesses and mosques. President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed a three-member commission to probe the communal clashes in Kandy. He had declared a nationwide state of emergency on March 6 and deployed the police and military to prevent escalation of violence after clashes between majority Sinhala Buddhists and minority Muslims erupted in other areas of the central riot-hit district. Ranjith ...
Babri Masjid Action Committee member supports Sri Sri's initiative
A member of the Babri Masjid Action Committee on Tuesday said spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's initiative for an out of court settlement of Ayodhya dispute is certainly good.Talking to ANI, Haji Mehboob said, "Sri Sri's initiative for an out of court settlement is certainly good. Everyone will get their right to live and speak which will make things peaceful."His comments came a day before when the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the Ram Janambhoomi- Babri Masjid dispute a.ka. Ayodhya dispute case on Wednesday.Sri Sri has been trying to take all the stakeholders in the Ayodhya dispute on board for an out of court settlement. Last year in November, the spiritual guru grabbed headlines when he visited Lucknow and Ayodhya to mediate between Muslim and Hindu stakeholders in the long-pending dispute.In February, some members of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) met Sri Sri in Bengaluru.On February 9, then executive member of AIMPLB Maulana Salman Husaini Nadvi on ...
Sukma, a hot-bed of red terror
An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast by Naxalites in Kistaram area of Sukma district claimed the lives of nine CRPF personnel and injured several others on Tuesday."A patrolling party was going from Kistaram to Palodi in an anti-landmine vehicle which was targeted by Naxals with an IED. Extra force has reached the spot, there is no firing at present," Special DG, Anti Naxal Operations, DM Awasthi said.Sukma has been a hotspot for naxal activities in recent years and Tuesday's attack adds to the long list of casualties suffered by the forces, mainly the CRPF.The following timeline of major naxal attacks on armed forces in Sukma will help get a better understanding of the gravity of the situation in the area.· March 13, 2018Nine CRPF jawans killed, six injured in an IED explosion by Naxals.· February 18, 2018Two security personnel killed and six injured in a Maoist blast followed by open fire on a security team.· April 24, 2017An estimated 300 Naxalites ...
CRPF should learn from its mistakes: Former DG BSF
Hours after nine CRPF personnel were killed in a naxal attack in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district, Former Director General (DG) of Border Security Force (BSF), S.K. Sood on Tuesday said that the "CRPF authorities are not taking the needed remedial actions" .He further advised the CRPF to learn from its mistakes."CRPF has been repeatedly suffering big losses in this area, this means the CRPF authority is not taking remedial action, we should learn from mistakes," said Former DG, BSF, S.K. Sood.Earlier in the day, the Naxals attacked the 212 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district.The attacked claimed lives of nine CRPF jawans and injured 10 others.The CRPF personnel were carrying out an area-domination operation in the area, when their mine-protected vehicle (MPV) was reportedly blown up.
Two killed, one injured in Bihar firing
Two persons were shot dead and one person was injured during an altercation between two groups in Bihar's Darbhanga district today, police said. The incident occurred at Dilli More bus stand under Sadar police station area, Senior Superintendent of Police Satyaveer Singh said. Two persons died during treatment at the Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital, while the injured has been admitted there. The reason behind the firing is yet to be ascertained and the police are conducting raids to nab the culprits, the SSP said. However, police sources said, the firing could be the fallout of a fight between the two groups over gaining control of the bus stand.
9 CRPF men killed in Naxal triggered blast in Sukma
Nine CRPF personnel were today killed after Maoists blasted their mine protected vehicle using over 50 kgs of explosives in Chhattisgarh's Sukma, about a year after a dozen jawans were killed in a similar ambush in the district. Officials said the incident took place around 12:30 pm along the 5-km under-construction Kistaram-Palodi road when the troops of the 212th battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were out for an operation. Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the incident was "deeply distressing" and asked CRPF Director General R R Bhatnagar to rush to Chhattisgarh. "My heartfelt condolences to the families of those personnel who lost their lives in Sukma blast. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured jawans," he said. The home minister spoke to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh who briefed him about the incident, steps taken for the jawans' treatment and operations to nab those involved. The armoured MPV had gone about 10-feet into the air and crashed on .
Russia rejects Britain's ultimatum, wants access to nerve agent
Russia today rejected Britain's demand that Moscow provide an explanation over the poisoning of an ex-double agent and said London should provide Moscow with access to the nerve agent. "Before giving ultimatums it's better to honour your own obligations on international law," Lavrov told reporters, referring to the Chemical Weapons Convention. Russia's top diplomat said that Britain should have sent Moscow an official request about the substance used on its soil. Lavrov said Russia had not received such a request and also demanded to be given access to the Russian-made nerve agent used to poison former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. "Through an official note we had demanded access to this substance," Lavrov said, adding that Russia also asked to be informed about the investigation. "Our requests have been denied." "If the procedures stipulated by the convention will be implemented I assure you that Russia will fulfil its obligations," Lavrov said. He insisted that
Russia ex-spy poisoning 'extremely worrying': Chemical weapons watchdog
The nerve agent poisoning of Russian former double agent Sergei Skripal in Britain was "extremely worrying", a global chemical weapons watchdog said today. "The recent report that two people became seriously ill in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as a result of exposure to a nerve agent is of serious concern," Ahmet Uzumcu, director-general of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), said in a statement. "It is extremely worrying that chemical agents are still being used to harm people. Those found responsible for this use must be held accountable for their actions." Uzumcu said British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson had called him on Monday evening to discuss the ongoing investigation into the attempted murder of Skripal and his daughter in the English city of Salisbury on March 4. British Prime Minister Theresa May has alleged it was "highly likely" that Russia was behind the attack. Moscow faces a midnight Tuesday deadline to tell ..
Office on missing persons in Lanka becomes operational
Sri Lanka today operationalised the Office on Missing Persons, an special office set up for determining the status of all persons who went "missing" during the brutal civil war against the LTTE. The Office of Missing Persons (OMP) aims to bring in reparations to the victims of the nearly three-decade long armed conflict in the country. "The Office on Missing Persons has officially got underway," an official release said. President Maithripala Sirisena appointed seven members and the Chairperson of the OMP on February 28. "The main purpose of the OMP is to address the suffering of thousands of families living in all parts of the country whose loved ones have gone missing or disappeared during multiple conflicts in Sri Lanka," the release said. The OMP will search and trace missing persons, clarify the circumstances in which they have gone missing and their fate, make recommendations towards addressing incidents of missing persons, protect the rights and interests of missing persons ...