Page 718 - War Conflict
Trouble continues in Assam-Mizoram border
Trouble continued along Assam-Mizoram border today with the Mizoram Police alleging that a Mizo student was injured in firing on a group by the Assam Police at Zopui, while the latter denied the charge and claimed that the protesters were only pushed back when they tried to intrude into the state. The Mizoram Police claimed that one student was injured in firing by the Assam Police at Zopui near Mizoram-Assam border town of Bairabi. Several other members of the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), the Mizo apex students body, were also injured as security forces in Assam resorted to lathicharge at Zopui locality of the town, the Mizoram Police said. The MZP said its members were trying to construct a rest house in the land of the late Ch Chhunga, first chief minister of the state, at Zopui in Kolasib district. Assam's Hailakandi district Deputy Commissioner Adil Khan, however, said, "We have acted with utmost restraint and applied minimum force to push back the MZP members when they intruded into .
C'garh Special Task Force jawan injured in IED blast by Naxals
A Special Task Force (STF) jawan was today injured when a pressure IED, planted by Naxals, went off in Chhattisgarhs insurgency-hit Bijapur district, police said. The incident took place near Tippapuram under Pamed police station limits, some 500 kms from here, when a "road opening party" of security forces was overseeing the construction of a road from Tippapuram and Pamed, an official said. "While security personnel were cordoning off a nearby forest, an STF jawan accidentally stepped on a pressure improvised explosive device (IED) planted by the Maoists. It exploded on impact and injured him," the official said. He added that the injured jawan was being evacuated from the area and reinforcements had been rushed in.
Afghan official says Taliban attack kills 15 security forces
An Afghan official says at least 15 security forces have been killed in an attack by Taliban fighters in western Farah province. Fared Bakhtawar, head of the provincial council, said Saturday that seven army commandos and eight police are among those 15 killed in Bala Buluk district. Bakhtawer said three other security forces are missing and more than 30 insurgents were killed in the battle. Gen Dawlat Waziri, spokesman for the Defense Ministry, confirmed the attack but said only four soldiers were killed and two wounded. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujhaid claimed responsibility for the attack. In recent months, Farah province has witnessed an increase in attacks by insurgents against security forces and local officials have requested the deployment of more forces in the province.
16 insurgents killed in Afghanistan
16 insurgent were killed in two separate army operations carried out in Afghanistan on Saturday.10 insurgents were killed and 13 were wounded in an army operation in Helmand on Saturday.As per the statement of National Directorate of Security (NDS), the operation was conducted at Lashkargah's Khoshkaba in Helmand.Further, eight insurgents were arrested and their hideouts were destroyed by the army, as according to Tolo News.During the operation, the security forces seized weapons and explosive materials including suicide vests and a vehicle bomb, NDS said in the statement.In a separate incident, six Islamic State militants, including two Uzbekistan citizens, were killed in a clash with the security forces in Afghanistan's Jowzjan province on Friday.Mohammad Reza Ghafoori, the spokesman of provincial governor said, "The clash occurred in Darzab district. Security forces did not suffer any casualties in the clash."He further informed that a body of a woman was found stuffed in a bag at .
1 killed in clash between Nigerian groups
A man was killed and another injured in a clash between two groups of Nigerian nationals in south Delhi's Chhatarpur, police said today. A Nigerian has been detained in connection with yesterday's clash, they said. "The injured man has also shared details of the others involved. Police are on the lookout for them," a police official said. Further details are awaited.
Rohingya living in 'no man's land' insist they will stay
From their home, a tent hastily erected in a grassy field, the young Muslim Rohingya couple can see the village they left behind last year, fleeing attacks by Buddhist mobs and Myanmar security forces. They arrived in a no man's land, one of the small, ill-defined areas that exist at the cloudiest edges of the borderlands, places that seem to be neither Myanmar nor Bangladesh. While nearly every other Rohingya refugee who crossed the border has sought protection in the immense camps a few miles deeper into Bangladesh, these people say they will go no farther. "My ancestors' graves are there," said Abdul Naser, gesturing toward his village, less than 100 meters (yards) away. "Sometimes, I walk close to the barbed wire fence and touch my land, and I cry in the dark." But a few weeks ago things changed. Myanmar deployed more soldiers to the border, some of whom began coming to within 10 meters (yards) of the refugees' homes. They shout insults at the Rohingya, the refugees say, they ...
Food arrives in Syria's battered Eastern Ghouta
The Syrian army continued its offensive against rebel-held Eastern Ghouta today, a day after an aid convoy delivered food to the hunger-stricken residents of the enclave despite heavy bombardment. Nearly 950 civilians have been killed since Russia-backed government forces launched a blistering assault on the last opposition bastion near Damascus on February 18. Eastern Ghouta's 400,000 inhabitants have lived under government siege since 2013 and the enclave -- more than half of which has over the past three weeks been retaken by regime forces -- is home to a myriad of armed groups. Apart from Islamist groups such as Jaish al-Islam, jihadists from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), who are mostly linked to Al-Qaeda, are also deployed there. Syrian state television aired footage of a single bus carrying 13 "fighters" and family members out of the enclave through Al-Wafideen checkpoint, without giving their affiliation. Some appeared to be young, while others wore hoodies to cover their heads ..
1 killed, 1 hurt in clash between 2 groups of Nigerians
A Nigerian national was killed and another injured, following a clash between two groups of Nigerians last night in south Delhi's Chhatarpur, the police said today. One Nigerian national, who was identified by the injured man, was detained in connection with the incident, they added. The injured man has also shared the details of the others, who were involved in the clash, the police said, adding that a hunt was on to nab the other accused. Further details are awaited.
Sirisena to appoint committee to probe anti-Muslim riots
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena today appointed a commission to probe the communal clashes in the violence-hit Kandy district that prompted him to impose a nationwide state of emergency, according to a media report. Anti-Muslim riots, since Monday, have left two persons dead and damaged several homes, businesses and mosques in the Kandy district . The violence erupted after the death of a man from the mainly Buddhist Sinhalese majority last week. To rein in communal violence, a state of emergency has been imposed by President Maithripala Sirisena's government. A three-member committee comprising of retired judges will probe whether any violation of law and order is among the reasons for the clashes, evaluate the damages to lives and properties, probe whether there was any conspiratorial hand behind the incidents, Colombo Page reported. The committee will also recommend steps that need to be taken to prevent such incidents in the future, and look into the conduct of relevant .
At least 5 killed in central Nigeria: police
Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have killed at least five people in central Nigeria's Plateau state, police said today, in the latest violence linked to tensions over grazing rights. Thursday's attack happened just as President Muhammadu Buhari was rounding up a tour of Plateau and four other flashpoint states. "The gunmen were believed to be herdsmen. They attacked some communities in Miango district and killed five people," state police spokesman Terna Tyopev told AFP. He said dozens of people were injured while many houses and properties were destroyed in the mayhem. Local media said apart from the incident in Miango, six people were also killed at Ganda village in Bokkos local government area of the state. The police could not immediately confirm the attack. Speaking to Nigeria's Guardian newspaper, community leader, Matawa Mankut put the toll at six dead when cattle rearers invaded the village on Friday. "We are at the burial ground in Ganda village to give the deceased a mass ...
Sri Lanka to probe anti-Muslim riots, lift curfew
An investigation into anti-Muslim riots that spread in central Sri Lanka prompting the authorities to declare a nationwide state of emergency was announced Saturday by President Maithripala Sirisena. A panel of three retired judges will probe the breakdown in law and order in the picturesque hill resort of Kandy, Sirisena's office said in a statement. Three people died, 20 others were wounded and more than 200 Muslim-owned businesses and homes were destroyed in four days of rioting that died down on Thursday. Eleven mosques were also damaged or completely destroyed by Sinhalese mobs, according to police who say the situation has been brought under control after a heavy military deployment. A curfew in the district, which is 115 kilometres (72 miles) east of the capital Colombo, was lifted at dawn Saturday but army soldiers continued to patrol alongside police, officials said. Sri Lanka's Muslim minority held their Friday prayers under military protection across the island amid fears ..
Delhi: One killed, one injured in clash between Nigerian nationals
One person was killed and one got injured after a clash broke out between two groups of Nigerian nationals in Delhi's Chhatarpur area.The police have detained one of the accused, who was involved in the brawl, while others are absconding."The incident took place late yesterday night at around 01:00 pm. The reason for the clash has not yet been known", according to Delhi Police.A case has been registered and further investigations are on.
Mohajirs welcomes India's statement in UN human rights session: Nadeem Nusrat
The spokesperson of 'Free Karachi' campaign and former convener of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Nadeem Nusrat said that Mohajirs have welcomed India's statement on their atrocities committed by Pakistan at the United Nations Human Rights session.Highlighting the atrocities committed in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Nusrat said that the inclusion of Sindh in India's statement on human rights violations is an important and encouraging development for nearly 70 million Mohajirs."The people of Karachi and Urban Sindh are grateful to the Indian Government for raising the voice on the plight of Mohajirs in Pakistan," he said.Nusrat further said that Sindh, especially in Karachi and urban centres of Sindh province, had been neglected previously by the world community while highlighting the persecution of ethnic groups in Pakistan.More than 25,000 Mohajirs have been brutally killed by the Pakistan Army and paramilitary operations in Karachi since 1992. Enforced disappearances, .
No direct talks with Taliban unless it engages with Afghan: US
The US today ruled out a recent request from the Taliban for a direct talk with the White House, unless it engages with the elected government of Afghanistan. This comes a day after the Trump administration surprised the world by agreeing to a North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's invitation for a meeting with President Donald Trump. "Obviously there is no comparison between North and South Korea and the Afghanistan situation. I would note that North and South Korea have spoken to each other in advance of the president's offer to also engage in the conversation," senior US diplomat for South and Central Asia, Alice Wells, told a Washington audience at the US Institute of Peace, a US-Congress supported top American think-tank. "So, what we're looking for in Afghanistan is a fundamental recognition that in an insurgency, the insurgents and the government that is ruling need to engage in a conversation with one another as well as with other interested parties to that settlement. We have been
Four Mali troops killed by landmine: military sources
Four Mali soldiers were killed when their vehicle ran over a road mine in the central town of Dialloube as they returned from an operation against jihadists, military sources told AFP. "Returning from a successful military operation against the jihadists' main base in Dialloube, where 10 terrorists were neutralised, an army vehicle drove over a mine, killing four soldiers," said a military source at the defence ministry. A foreign military source yesterday confirmed the deaths, adding that two other soldiers were seriously injured. Jihadists have ramped up their activities in central Mali in recent months, targeting domestic and foreign forces in violence once confined to the restive north. Four UN peacekeepers were killed and four were wounded last week when a mine exploded under their vehicle in central Mali. During a visit to the region earlier this week Mali's Prime Minister Boubeye Maiga assured that ramped up military operations were beginning to bear fruit. Islamic extremists ..
Protesters held after scaling Iran embassy in London: police
Four protesters were arrested after gaining access to the balcony of the Iranian embassy in London today, police said, prompting a complaint from Tehran about security at the building. "We were called at 4.20 pm (9:50 pm IST) to reports of four protesters on the balcony of the Iranian embassy in Princes Gate, Knightsbridge," a spokeswoman for London's Metropolitan Police said. At around 6.40 pm (12:10 am IST) all four men were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and being unlawfully on diplomatic premises. "All four people have been taken to a central London police station. They remain there in custody," the spokeswoman said. It is understood the protesters did not manage to get inside the building. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said Tehran made a strong protest to the British government over the incident, according to the IRNA state news agency. The report said supporters of an "extreme cult" living in Britain were responsible. Iran's deputy foreign minister .
Jihadists to be evacuated from Syria's Ghouta: rebel group
A first group of jihadists is to be evacuated from the Syrian rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta, the target of a devastating regime assault, a powerful Islamist rebel group announced today. he fighters from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group made up mostly of Al-Qaeda's ex-affiliate Al-Nusra Front, is to be evacuated to the northern province of Idlib, Jaish al-Islam said in a statement. It said the initiative was "based on consultations between Jaish al-Islam and the United Nations, and a number of international actors... "It has been agreed that the first group of HTS members be released from the prisons of Jaish al-Islam ... It has been agreed that they be moved to Idlib at their request," Jaish al-Islam said. Despite two weeks of air strikes and artillery bombardment that have killed almost 950 civilians, the main rebel groups have so far rejected Russian-brokered offers to evacuate civilians or any of their own fighters. The main groups had said on February 27 they would be willing
Kabul blast: Death toll rises to 9
The death toll in a suicide bombing in Mosalla-e-Mazar area of Afghanistan's capital city, Kabul has increased to nine.According to Tolo News, the Ministry of Interior's deputy spokesman Nusrat Rahimi confirmed the death toll and said the explosion occurred in Kabul's PD6 in the west of the city close to a ceremony on the death anniversary of Abdul Ali Mazari, the slain leader of the Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan.At least seven others were wounded in the blast, he added.Last week, one person was killed and 14 others, including two Australian nationals, were injured when a car bomb was detonated near a convoy of Australian Embassy vehicles in Kabul.Afghanistan has been hit by a series of deadly suicide attacks in the last few months, killing over 150 people, particularly in Kabul.
There should be more women in Armed Forces: Sitharaman
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday pitched for women empowerment and said there should be more women in the Armed Forces."Debate about empowerment should not always be a gender-based argument, whether an individual can perform being a woman or a man. Therefore, the whole narration on Women's Day is to look at it in this context," Sitharaman said while addressing a function on 'Women in Uniform of Armed Forces Medical Services' (AFMS) here.She said, "I think there are areas in which men should be posted, not so much to fight them, but for making them understand that well you may not be good in this you may be good at something else. So blanket rejection of male or female can completely be avoided. That's why I think whenever we talk, it should be citizens' empowerment."Lt Gen Bipin Puri delivered the welcome speech at the event and lauded the role of women officers as health care providers and caregivers.The event was attended by delegates comprising of senior serving and ...
South Sudan suspends UN radio station
South Sudan has suspended a United Nations radio station for allegedly refusing to comply with the country's media laws, although the station has not yet been taken off the air. Today, the Media Authority, an independent body charged with regulating journalistic practices in the country, said it was shutting down Radio Miraya for "persistent non-compliance." They said the radio station was "not immune" to oversight. "Radio Miraya opted not be regulated or questioned. They are operating in an environment of their own but they operate in the Republic of South Sudan where there are laws that need to be observed," said Elijah Alier, the Media Authority's managing director at a press conference. Alier said they are not trying to censor the station but rather they are monitoring it for "hate speech and incitement." The government may not be able to take the station off the air because the transmitter is on the UN base in Juba. Amid South Sudan's 5-year civil war, which has killed tens of ..