Page 756 - War Conflict

$88.2B price tag for rebuilding Iraq after Islamic State war

Kuwait today opened a week of conferences seeking aid for rebuilding Iraq after the onslaught of the Islamic State group, seeking tens of billions of dollars for a nation only a generation ago that invaded it. Authorities estimate Iraq needs USD 88.2 billion to restore a country smashed after the Sunni extremists seized the country's second-largest city of Mosul and a mass of territory in June 2014. "We finished one battle but we are engaged now with a war for reconstruction," said Mustafa al-Hiti, the head of Iraq's reconstruction fund for areas affected by terrorist operations. Among the hardest-hit areas is Mosul, which Iraqi forces, aided by Iranian-backed Shiite militias and a US-led coalition, recaptured in July 2017. Their victory came at a steep cost for Mosul, as coalition airstrikes and extremist suicide car bombs destroyed homes and government buildings. Of the money needed, Iraqi officials estimate USD 17 billion alone needs to go toward rebuilding homes, the

Inputs suggest foreign handlers controlled JeM terrorists:

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said today that intelligence inputs suggested that terrorists who attacked the Sunjuwan Military Camp here were controlled by handlers from across the border. Three terrorists were killed even as the initial information was about four of them, she said adding that the fourth may have acted as a guide. There was a possibility that the intruders benefited from local support, she added. The attack by Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists, sponsored by Pakistan based Azhar Masood, resulted in the death of six people including five soldiers, she told reporters. The counter terrorist operation at the military camp was called off this morning but sanitisation operations were still on, she added. The defence minister said the JeM module which conducted the attack may have infiltrated sometime back and possibly enjoyed local support. "The counter terrorist operation in Sunjuwan Military camp was called off at 1030 hours today. However, sanitisation

Xi visits launch site of GPS rival BeiDou navigation system

President Xi Jinping has visited a satellite launch site in China's southwest Sichuan province, days ahead of the launch of three satellites for Chinese navigation system BeiDou, seen as a rival to America's GPS. Xi, also the general secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC)'s Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspected the preparation work for the launch at the site's command centre on Saturday. He discussed with scientists and technicians their research, work and lives. They were told to keep pursuing precision and perfection to ensure the success of the launch of three satellites for BeiDou which is being developed as a competitor to America's Global Positioning System (GPS). Xi also extended festival greetings to all officers and soldiers of the People's Liberation Army and the armed police forces on the occasion of the Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on February 16. Through a video call, Xi talked .

India, Oman call for isolating sponsors of terrorism

India and Oman will coordinate efforts to counter the "misuse" of religion by groups and states for perpetrating acts of terrorism as they called for isolating its sponsors, in an apparent reference to Pakistan. According to a joint statement issued today at the end of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Oman during which he met Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the two leaders exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest, including the security situation in West and South Asia. "The two sides acknowledged the common threat posed by terrorism to peace and security and agreed to continue working together bilaterally, regionally and globally to counter this menace," said the statement. It said the two leaders called for isolating the sponsors and supporters of terrorism and agreed that the international community should take urgent action against all such entities, which support terrorism and use it as an instrument of policy. "The two sides ...

CRPF trooper killed, LeT claims responsibility (Third Lead)

Fierce fighting continued between militants and security forces in the heart of Srinagar on Monday after a foiled attack on a CRPF camp left a trooper dead and a policeman critically injured. The LeT claimed responsibility for the attack.

Pakistan Taliban confirms senior commander's death by drone

Pakistani Taliban confirmed on Monday that its senior commander was killed in a US drone strike in the country's North Waziristan tribal region last week and said they had appointed a new deputy to take his place.

IS calls on fighters to disrupt Egypt's vote with attacks

A video purportedly by the Islamic State's affiliate in Egypt is calling on its fighters to stage attacks during next month's presidential elections and warning Egyptians to stay away from polling centers. The authenticity of the 23-minute video posted late yesterday on websites known to be sympathetic to the group could not be independently verified, but appeared similar to past releases by the group. It makes a brief mention of an ongoing offencive by security forces against IS, suggesting it was made after the campaign began Friday. The video showed what appeared to be footage of past IS attacks in Sinai and the killings of unarmed off-duty soldiers or men suspected of collaborating with security forces. President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's re-election is virtually assured in the March 26-28 vote.

Rajnath reviews security in JK

Home Minister Rajnath Singh today reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, where two terror attacks in last three days have left nine persons dead, including five army men, officials said. During an hour-long meeting with top officials, the home minister was given a detailed presentation about the situation in the state, particularly attack on an army camp in Jammu and a gunfight between security forces and militants in Srinagar. Singh was told that the highest level of security has been put in place in the entire state and steps were being taken to foil attempts by terrorists to disturb peace, an official said. The home minister directed the officials that action must be taken to check infiltration attempts from across the border, another official said. Those who attended the meeting included Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and Director of the Intelligence Bureau Rajiv Jain. Yesterday, Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra had briefed the home minister ...

1 CRPF jawan killed in ongoing Karan Nagar encounter: JK Govt

Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rehman Veeri, informed the state Assembly that a CRPF personnel had been killed in the ongoing encounter between terrorists and security forces in the Karan Nagar area of Srinagar. Giving details, the minister said that at about 4:30 am on Monday, a sentry at CRPF 23 Battalion Headquarters, Karan Nagar, spotted two militants carrying 'Pithu' (backpack) bags and armed with AK-47 rifles. He opened fire due to which the militants escaped towards a nearby locality. The minister said that a search was conducted. The search party was fired upon near Gole Market which led to an encounter, he added. He said the militants have been cornered in an abandoned house near 23 Bn CRPF headquarters. The encounter is still on, he added.

Don't be 'blinded' by N Korea charm offensive: Japan

Japan today warned against being "blinded" by North Korea's diplomatic charm offensive at the Winter Olympics, saying the main goal remains ridding Pyongyang of nuclear weapons. Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Kono used a visit to Singapore, the current chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, to call for unity in dealing with Pyongyang, a spokesman said. "We need to maximise pressure on North Korea, to corner North Korea to change its policy by fully implementing the UN Security Council Resolution," said Toshihide Ando, deputy press secretary at Japan's foreign affairs ministry. "We will continue to work with the United States and South Korea on this issue. But it's important that we should not be blinded by the charm offensive by North Korea," he told reporters at a briefing on Kono's visit. He said Kono met Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan separately and discussed regional issues, including developments on the Korean ...

Militants, security forces trade fire in Srinagar, Mehbooba

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today pitched afresh for a dialogue between India and Pakistan to end the violence in the restive state, even as a gunfight raged between terrorists and security forces in Srinagar. The chief minister also hit out at some media houses, which, she claimed, have created an atmosphere in which the very talk of talks was considered anti-national. "If Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti say hold talks with Pakistan, they are dubbed anti-national. There is no alternative (to resolve the issue) except by holding talks," Mehbooba told the state Assembly in Jammu on the concluding day of the budget session. "If we (the Kashmiris) don't talk about it (dialogue), who will? Not a Bihari, not a punjabi," she said. A CRPF constable was killed in a gunfight with terrorists in downtown Srinagar after security forces foiled militants' attempts to strike a CRPF camp. The mllitants were still holed up in an abandoned house in Karan Nagar in ...

Afghan officials: Taliban killed 16 pro-government fighters

Afghan local officials have confirmed an attack over the weekend in southern Helmand province, saying the Taliban there killed 16 pro-government militiamen. Two officials in Helmand say the attack took place on Saturday night. They say the attackers targeted a checkpoint belonging to the pro-government militiamen in Gareshk district. The two officials spoke to The Associated Press today on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to the media. Omar Zwak, spokesman for the provincial governor, says an investigation is underway. Qari Yusouf Ahmadi, a Taliban spokesman, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement sent to the media. He says two Taliban fighters involved in the attack had managed to escape, confiscating all the ammunition from pro- government fighters.

Bhagwat should apologise to Army, nation for remarks: Congress

The Congress today demanded that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat apologise to the country for his remarks on the armed forces and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clarify whether he approves of a "private militia" to guard the nation's frontiers. Congress senior spokesperson Anand Sharma termed Bhagat's statement as "sad and disturbing" and said nations which have allowed private militias and military outfits independent of the country's armed forces to fight for it have come to grief and have paid a heavy price. He cited examples of Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Somalia and Congo, and said India cannot allow such a development. "The RSS chief's statement is a direct insult to the Indian armed forces by claiming that in the eventuality of a battle to be fought, the RSS can mobilise itself in three days while the Indian Army will take six to seven months," Sharma said. "The RSS chief should apologise to the country and the armed forces, as he has put a question mark on the ...

Turkey assails US over ties with Syrian Kurdish militia

Turkey's foreign minister is assailing the United States, claiming American forces in Syria are intentionally stalling the fight against Islamic State militants as an excuse not to cut ties with Syrian Kurdish fighters as Ankara has demanded. Mevlut Cavusoglu says US forces are leaving "pockets" with IS militants intact to justify continued cooperation with the Kurdish militia. Cavusoglu says ties with the US are "at a critical stage" and that Washington needs to take "concrete steps" to regain Turkey's trust. Ankara is riled over Washington's support for the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units, or YPG -- the top US ally in the anti-IS fight. Turkey considers the YPG a "terrorist" group linked to Kurdish insurgents within Turkey. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is due in Ankara later this week.

SBI 'Grahak Seva Kendra' operator shot at,Rs 2.38 lakh looted

Three motorcycle-borne miscreants today shot at an operator of SBI's 'Grahak Sewa Kendra' and looted over Rupees two lakh from his posession in East Champaran district of Bihar, police said. The incident occurred when Santosh Kumar was on his way to deposit the money at a 'Grahak Sewa Kendra' at Baghiya village after withdrawing the money from SBI's Turkaulia branch, Station House Officer of Kotwa police station, Rajesh Kumar, said. After looting Rs 2.38 lakh from the man at a place between Dipiu and Okra villages, the miscreants fled from the scene. Raids are being conducted to nab the culprits as they have been identified, the SHO said. Kumar was referred to Motihari Sadar Hospital after being administerd first aid at a nearby private clinic.

IS-linked militant in Indonesia gets 7 years in prison

A court has sentenced the leader of an Islamic State group-affiliated militant network in Indonesia to seven years in prison for involvement in smuggling guns from the southern Philippines. Presiding Judge Siti Jamzanah said today it was proven that Zainal Anshori "committed a criminal act of terrorism." She said he had traveled to a town in Sulawesi closest to the Indonesian border with the southern Philippines to collect a cache of weapons. Court documents said Anshori also attempted to set up a jihadist training camp. Anshori was arrested in April, sparking a reprisal attack against police which ended with six militants killed in a gunbattle. The network he led, Jamaah Anshorut Daulah, is believed responsible for a 2016 attack in Jakarta that killed eight people including the four attackers.

Defence Minister to visit Jammu as Sunjuwan anti-terror operation continues

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is visiting Jammu on Monday even as the anti-terror operation inside the Sunjuwan army camp here is still going on, army said.

Sunjwan Army camp attack: Search operation underway

The Army said today that the search operation was underway in its Sunjwan camp, which was attacked by a group of suspected JeM terrorists, killing six persons, including five soldiers. Three suspected Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists involved in the attack were killed in the retaliatory action by the Army inside the camp and a large quantity of arms and ammunition was seized from them. "The search operation is still on (at the camp)," Jammu- based Army public relations officer Lt Col Devender Anand told PTI. A group of heavily armed men struck the sprawling camp of the 36 brigade of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry before dawn on February 10. Five Army men, including two Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), were killed in the attack. Several blasts were heard inside the camp late last evening, breaking a lull after the initial exchange of fire, but the Army said the blasts were the result of sanitisation operation and there was no fresh contact with ...

J&K: 1 CRPF personnel died in Karan Nagar encounter

One CRPF personnel succumbed to his injuries on Monday while fighting in the ongoing encounter at CRPF camp in Srinagar's Karan Nagar.At around 4.30 am on Monday morning, the sentries at the headquarters of the CRPF's 23 battalion saw two terrorists approaching the camp with AK-47 rifles and opened fire at them."They couldn't enter the headquarters but sneaked in a building close to the HQ. Five families have been evacuated. An operation is on," IG CRPF Ravideep Sahai told ANI.As of now, five families have been evacuated from the houses around the camp and the operation is underway, confirmed the official.Earlier on Saturday, terrorists barged in the Sunjwan army camp in Jammu, killing five security personnel and one civilian. Six army personnel and six civilians are injured.Four terrorists have been gunned down.Combing operations is underway at the Sunjwan Army Camp.

CRPF jawan killed in gunfight with militants after bid to

A gunfight broke out between security forces and militants after their attempt to strike a CRPF camp here was foiled, killing a paramilitary jawan, officials said today. The militants holed up inside an abandoned house in Karan Nagar, in the heart of Srinagar city, after their early morning bid to storm into the camp was foiled, triggering the gunfight. The jawan, belonging to 49 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), suffered injuries in the gunfight and died hours later, they said. Intermittent exchange of fire continued, there were also clashes between security forces and stone-pelting youths near the site, they said. The heavily-armed militants tried to strike the CRPF camp, located very close to SMHS Hospital from where Lashkar- e-Taiba militant Naveed Jutt alias Abu Hanzala was freed from police custody by terrorists on February 6. "The sentry at the camp noticed two suspicious persons at around 4.30 am, carrying backpacks and weapons. He challenged