Page 714 - War Conflict
Malaysian among militants who can succeed IS regional chief
An official says two militants, one Filipino and the other Malaysian, who survived the crushing of a siege of a southern Philippine city last year are among the leading candidates to succeed a slain Islamic State group regional leader as the rebels attempt to recover from setbacks. National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said today that Filipino Humam Abdul Najid and Malaysian Amin Baco are among several Muslim militant commanders in the south who could succeed Isnilon Hapilon, who led the devastating siege of Marawi city. Troops killed Hapilon in a final battle in which they crushed the five-month siege. The military declared that Baco was killed, but Esperon said his body has not been found and reports indicate he is still alive and hiding somewhere in the south.
6 soldiers killed in suicide car bombing in Yemen's Aden
Six soldiers were killed on Tuesday in an incident of suicide car bombing in the southern port city of Aden, local police said.The explosion happened near a security centre of Yemen troops in Aden's neighbourhood of Mansourah, Xinhua quotes the Interior Ministry in Aden source as saying.Another police official said that a suicide bomber driving an explosive-laden car blew it up next to a building used to store food and meals for the Yemeni forces in Aden.Post-incident UAE sent its security forces to the area as part of a search operation."The suicide bomber killed him on the spot and an exchange of gunfire was heard in the area", Xinhua quotes a witness as saying.The conflict in Yemen, which began in 2014, has claimed more than 100,000 lives so far. Saleh was overthrown in the ensuing conflict and had reportedly fled to Saudi Arabia for a while.The fighting further intensified in 2015, when clashes broke out between the present Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi's government ...
Punjab: Clash between two groups over control of gurdwara
Tension gripped Manochahal village here today following a clash between two groups over the control of a local gurdwara which left about six people injured, police said today. Four hundred police personnel were deployed to bring the situation under control, they said. The incident took place when a group led by one Ranjodh Singh came to the gurdwara to take control of its management. However, a group of villagers, who were managing the gurudwara's affairs for three years, objected to it, leading to the clash, Tarn Taran Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Satpal Singh said. Angry villagers set Ranjodh Singh's vehicle on fire and held members of his group hostage in the gurdwara, police said. About six people were injured in the clash. Two of them had sustained gunshot wounds when shots were fired by the two groups, they said. Police said Ranjodh Singh's father had managed the gurdwara for 25 years, but after his death, the villagers took over. Two years ago, Ranjodh Singh raised the
Sukma attack: Death toll of CRPF personnel reaches to 9
The death toll of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in IED blast by Naxals in Kistaram area of Chhattisgarh's Sukma rose to nine.Talking to media, Special DG, Anti Naxal Operations, DM Awasthi said the security force has reached the spot and no firing has been reported at present."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," he said.A few hours ago, the Naxals attacked the 212 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).The CRPF personnel were carrying out an area-domination operation in the area, when their mine-protected vehicle (MPV) was reportedly blown up.The blast also injured few CRPF personnel, who have been evacuated by helicopter to Raipur for medical treatment.More details are awaited.
Suicide bombing claimed by IS kills six in Yemen's Aden
A suicide bombing claimed by the Islamic State group hit UAE-trained Yemeni troops in the government bastion of Aden on today, killing six people -- including a child -- and wounding dozens. The attack in the north of the port city hit an army mess hall serving the so-called Security Belt brigade, which is supported by government ally the UAE, a security source said. At least six people were confirmed dead, including a young child, and 30 wounded, the source said, adding that they included passers-by. An AFP journalist saw at least five casualties being carried out of the charred building. Several cars parked nearby were severely damaged. IS claimed the attack on its propaganda arm Amaq, saying an "act of martyrdom by car bombing" had hit the "main headquarters for food run by the Security Belt which is loyal to the United Arab Emirates, in the area of Dareen in the Mansoura district of Aden". Aden is controlled by the Yemeni government and its allies in a Saudi-led coalition, who are
US gives Philippine air force first drones
The United States gave the Philippine air force today its first surveillance drone system, as the two nations step up cooperation in the battle against jihadist militants. Washington has been boosting its backing for Philippine counter-terror efforts since Islamic State supporters seized parts of the southern city of Marawi last year, sparking a deadly five-month battle. The unmanned aerial vehicle system worth $13.2 million, including six drones, turned over to Philippine troops was the latest US military assistance. "Assets like the ScanEagle will significantly improve the (Philippine military's) ability to detect terrorist activities, piracy activities, territory encroachment," US Ambassador to Manila Sung Kim told reporters, referring to the drones. Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the system, equipped with cameras and aircraft that can fly for 24 hours, would support operations against militants in the south. The southern region of Mindanao is home to several ...
8 CRPF personnel killed in Naxal attack in Sukma
Eight personnel of the 212 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed in an IED blast by Naxals in Kistaram area of Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on TuesdayThe CRPF personnel were carrying out an area-domination operation in the area, when their mine-protected vehicle (MPV) was reportedly blown up.The blast also injured six CRPF personnel, of which four are said to be critical.All the injured personnel have been evacuated by helicopter to Raipur for medical treatment.More details are awaited.
Naxals blow up CRPF vehicle, 9 jawans killed
Nine CRPF personnel were today killed after suspected Naxals blew up their mine-protected vehicle in Chhattisgarh's Sukma, around 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 Kistaram-Palodi road of the district when the troops of the 212th battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were out on an operation. At least nine men have been killed, while two other jawans suffered injuries after the mine-protected vehicle was blown up by multiple improvised explosive devices (IEDs) concealed under the dirt track, a senior official said. The injured personnel are being airlifted to Raipur, they said. The rebels used a lot of explosives to blow up the vehicle, a state police official said. Soon after the incident, reinforcements were rushed to the spot, around 500 kms from state capital Raipur, he said, adding further details were awaited. Officials added that the first encounter between
Turkish forces surround Afrin city in Syria operation: army
The Turkish army and allied Syrian rebels have surrounded the city of Afrin in northern Syria controlled by Kurdish militia that is the key target of Ankara's cross-border operation, the military said today. The Turkish forces, who had been looking to complete the encirclement in a two-pronged movement from the east and the west, had Afrin city surrounded on Monday, the army said in a statement quoted by state media, without giving further details. The surrounding of Afrin city is a key step in Turkey's seven-week operation Olive Branch launched on January 20 and aimed at ousting the the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) from the Afrin region of northern Syria. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said yesterday that hundreds of civilians had already fled Afrin as Turkey advanced. "More than 2,000 civilians have arrived in the area of Nubul" controlled by pro-regime forces, it said, adding that hundreds more were still on the road. Afrin city -- the main urban ..
US Defence Secretary arrives in Afghanistan
United States Defence Secretary James Mattis made an unannounced visit to Afghan capital Kabul on Tuesday.Mattis is scheduled to meet Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani to exchange views on matters relating to mutual interests, including the war on terror and the peace process in Afghanistan.He will also meet US commanders and allied troops posted in the country, TOLO news reported."We do look toward a victory in Afghanistan. Not a military victory, the victory will be a political reconciliation with the Taliban, which has achieved a stalemate in recent years and shown little interest in conceding to the Kabul government," Mattis added.The visit comes two weeks after President Ghani invited the Taliban to begin peace talks without preconditions to end the 16-year-old war in the Kabul Process Conference last month.The group said last month that it was open to reaching a political settlement and negotiating, but has not responded to President Ghani's peace offer so far.Afghanistan has ..
Mattis in Kabul, says elements in Taliban open to peace talks
Elements of the Taliban are open to talks with the Afghan government, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said today as he arrived in Kabul on an unannounced visit. Mattis flew into the war-torn city two weeks after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani unveiled a plan to open peace talks with the Taliban. The insurgents have so far given no formal response to Kabul's offer for negotiations, but Mattis said some insurgent leaders have expressed an interest in the discussions. "It may not be that the whole Taliban comes over in one fell swoop, that would be a bridge too far, but there are elements of the Taliban clearly interested in talking to the Afghan government," he told reporters aboard a military jet. Ghani's peace plan includes eventually recognising the Taliban as a political party. The insurgent group has said it is prepared to negotiate, but only with the United States and not with the Kabul government. The Taliban last week described the Afghan government as "illegitimate" and its ...
UK, allies point finger at Russia in ex-spy poisoning
Britain will hold new emergency talks today into the brazen nerve agent poisoning of a Russian former double agent on its soil, after the US and NATO backed London in implicating Moscow in the assassination attempt. As diplomatic tensions soar, Russia has denied accusations of its involvement in the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter in southwest England on March 4. British Prime Minister Theresa May told parliament it was "highly likely" Moscow was behind the poisoning, giving Russia until the end of Tuesday to answer the accusations, in comments that have stoked speculation Britain could call on its allies to mount a joint response. Both the United States and NATO issued statements in support of London, as concern mounts over the use of what May described as a military-grade nerve agent developed by Russia. Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, remain in a critical condition in hospital after being found unconscious on a bench outside a shopping centre in ...
Official: Insurgents attacked police checkpoint, killing 5
An Afghan official says at least five Afghan police forces have been killed after insurgents attacked their checkpoint in western Farah province. Fared Bakhtawer, head of the provincial council in Farah, said today that Insurgents took five other police alive from the checkpoint near Farah city. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but Bakhtawer blamed Taliban insurgents, who have stepped up attacks in the province in recent months against Afghan security forces. A day earlier, security forces recaptured a district headquarters in Farah, just hours after Taliban fighters overran police and administrative offices, killing eight police and wounding 10 others. Over the weekend, Taliban killed 15 Afghan forces including seven army commandos and eight police in Bala Buluk district in Farah.
Meghalaya govt making efforts to tackle militancy: Minister
Meghalaya Home Minister James K Sangma has said the new dispensation is making concerted efforts to tackle militancy and crime. "The government of Meghalaya is committed to its goal of ensuring that the state is free of militants and criminals," Sangma said after eight GNLA cadres surrendered before him at the police headquarters yesterday. The surrender came just a few weeks after the killing of GNLA "commander-in-chief" Sohan D Shira on February 24. This is the "beginning of the end of militancy" in Meghalaya, Sangma said, appealing to other militant organisations in the state to shun violence and return to the mainstream. "The surrendered cadres will be receiving a rehabilitation package. They will be given much-needed guidance too," Sangma said. The militants yesterday gave up two AK-56, Insas Rifle, 9mm pistol, Glock-19 with 7 rounds, SMG with 65 live round, 303 Rifle with 50 rounds, Air gun and .22 pistol. Lauding the cadres, the minister said, "It takes great ...
Austin package bombs might be linked to other deadly attack
Two package bomb blasts a few miles apart killed a teenager and wounded two women in Austin, less than two weeks after a similar attack left a man dead in another part of the city. Investigators said yesterday's bombings are probably connected, and they are looking into whether race was a factor because all of the victims were minorities. The attacks unfolded just as the Texas capital was swelling with visitors to the South By Southwest music festival. The first of yesterday's attacks killed a 17-year-old boy and wounded a 40-year-old woman, both of them black. As Police Chief Brian Manley held a news conference to discuss that blast, authorities were called to the scene of another explosion that injured a 75-year-old Hispanic woman. She was taken to a hospital with potentially life-threatening wounds. Authorities suspect that both of yesterday's blasts were linked to a March 2 attack that killed a 39-year-old black man, and they urged the public to call police if they receive any ...
9 CPI(Maoist) members surrender
Nine members of banned CPI (Maoist) today surrendered before police in the district, a senior official said. The rebels, members of Galikonda Area Committee of CPI (Maoist), gave themselves up before Assistant Superintendent of Police K Arif Hafeez at Narsipatnam here. They were in the age group of 20-25 and had joined the ultra outfit around five years ago, Hafeez said.
25 killed in IS attacks in northern Iraq: officials
At least 25 civilians and members of government forces have been killed in northern Iraq since late Sunday in attacks by the Islamic State group, officials said. The attacks came despite Baghdad's declaration of victory over the jihadist group late last year. "Islamic State (IS) terrorists who had set up a fake roadblock on a major road have killed 15 people," a police officer told AFP. That attack took place on the outskirts of Amerli in the province of Kirkuk, about 200 kilometres from Baghdad. In a separate attack, three people were killed while driving a car further north near the city of Daquq, said the officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "The attackers then burned the car," he said. In a village of Niniveh province, seven others including the mayor were killed by armed men in military uniform, local official Ali al-Hamdi told AFP. Hamdi blamed IS, saying members of the jihadist group were hiding out in the surrounding desert and making incursions into populated ...
Myanmar events 'bear hallmarks of genocide': UN expert
A top UN rights expert warned today that the crackdown on Myanmar's Rohingya minority bears "the hallmarks of genocide" and insisted the government should be held accountable. Nearly 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled northern Rakhine state to Bangladesh since Myanmar launched a brutal crackdown on insurgents six months ago amid accounts of arson, murder and rape at the hands of soldiers and vigilante mobs in the mainly Buddhist country. Myanmar has vehemently denied US and UN allegations of ethnic cleansing, insisting it was responding to attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army in late August. But on Monday, UN special rapporteur to Myanmar Yanghee Lee suggested that term was not strong enough. "I am becoming more convinced that crimes committed ... bear the hallmarks of genocide, and call in the strongest terms for accountability," she told the UN Human Rights Council. The South Korean academic, who has been barred from visiting Myanmar, called for a UN-backed investigation ...
Four 'terrorists' killed in attack on Iran military checkpoint
Four "terrorists" were killed after infiltrating Iran and attacking a military checkpoint in a southeastern border area, officials said today. The attack took place yesterday near the city of Saravan, about 50 kilometres from the Pakistani border, in the province of Sistan-Balochistan, the Islamic Republic's elite Revolutionary Guards said in a statement. Revolutionary Guard troops fought off the attack, it said, saying one of the attackers was killed after detonating an explosive vest. Two members of the Basiji paramilitary force affiliated with the Guards were wounded in the fight, during which one of the attackers was killed after detonating an explosive vest. The Guards statement said three assailants had been killed but ground forces commander Brigadier General Mohammad Marani later updated the figure to four dead. He said on state television that the assailants had mounted their attack from "the soil of a neighbouring country" but did not name the country. In the past, Iran has .
J&K police guns down 3 terrorists as ISIS affiliated module is busted
Three militants including Eesa Fazli and Syed Owais, both of whom left their B.Tech third year course to join militancy, were killed in an encounter today, a development being seen as a blow to the attempts by the notorious terror group ISIS to gain ground in the Kashmir Valley. Three militants were spotted at a village in the Hakura area of Anantnag district in south Kashmir late last night and special teams were despatched after intelligence inputs confirmed the presence of Fazli and Owais, officials said. The locality was cordoned at 1 AM and in a brief encounter, the three cadres of Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen, a terror group which has announced its affiliation to the ISIS, were gunned down as they tried to escape under the cover of darkness, they said. The operation was kept "top secret" till its execution as Fazli had managed to give the security forces a slip man a times before, an official said. "In the process, arms and ammunition which include AK 47 rifles, pistols, hand-grenades,