Page 760 - War Conflict
Egypt escalates military operations in Sinai
Egypt's armed forces on Friday launched airstrikes against alleged terror organisations in north and central Sinai, while three alleged members of a militant group were killed by security forces in the capital Cairo, the opening moves in a major new nationwide security operation, officials said.
Herders suspected after police say 3 killed in central Nigeria
Three people were shot dead in central Nigeria, police said, with suspicion falling on cattle herders after a wave of communal violence that has heaped pressure on the government to act. Unknown gunmen opened fire on the men on Thursday evening in Anyiin, in the Logo area of Benue state, where early last month more than 80 people were killed. Benue state police chief Fatai Owoseni said the identity of the gunmen had not yet been established. But given the location and similarity to previous attacks, suspicion locally immediately fell on herders. Owoseni said officers sent to the scene at the sound of gunshots found that four people on two motorcycles had been attacked, with three others collecting water. "Three survivors are still receiving treatment at the hospital. (They) happened to be those that were fetching water from the stream," he said. "The ones that were dead were those riding on the motorcycles while one of them survived." More than 168 people have been killed .
Army Vice Chief reviews security situation in Valley
The Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) Lieutenant General Sarath Chand on Friday arrived in the Valley to review the prevailing security situation.Chand also visited the Formations and Units in North Kashmir.During the visit, the VCOAS was briefed by the commanders on ground as regards the operational preparedness as well as the measures taken to meet the security and weather related challenges.The Vice Chief further interacted with the troops and emphasised on the need for undertaking relentless intelligence based operations to sustain pressure on the terrorist groups and maintain a high degree of vigil along the Line of Control (LoC) to eliminate any infiltration bid.Earlier in the day, the General Officer arrived at Badami Bagh Cantonment where he was received by the Chinar Corps Commander, Lieutenant General AK Bhatt.
The people who know no war: Afghanistan's most isolated corner
"Taliban -- what's that?" asks Sultan Begium shyly from her freezing home in Afghanistan's mountainous Wakhan Corridor, a region so remote that its residents are untouched by the decades of conflict that have devastated their country. The frail-looking grandmother whose harsh life has etched deep lines in her face, is a woman of the Wakhi, a tribe of roughly 12,000 nomadic people who populate the area. Known to those who live there by its Persian name Bam-e- Dunya, or "roof of the world", it is a narrow strip of inhospitable and barely accessible land in Afghanistan bordered by the mountains of what is now Tajikistan and Pakistan, and extending all the way to China. Few venture out, even fewer venture in -- but this isolation has kept the Wakhi sheltered from almost forty years of the near constant fighting that has ravaged their fellow Afghans. "War, what war? There has never been a war," Begium says, poking at a dying fire of yak dung, though she remembers people ...
Bombings at mosque in Libya's Benghazi kill 2, injure 75
Twin bombs exploded at a mosque in a busy area in the city of Benghazi today, killing at least two people and wounding 75 others, a Libyan official said, in the second attack targeting the city's houses of worship in less than a month. The explosion took place just before Friday prayers at the Saad Ibn Ibada mosque located between Benghazi's al- Majouri and Berka districts, said Motaz Agouri, an official from Benghazi security directorate's media office. He also said that the two bombs were planted in separate rooms at the site of the mosque. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Photos of the mosque after the explosion emerged on social media sites showing the damaged building with smashed doors and windows, and blood staining parts of the floor. Later, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya condemned the attack in a statement. "This heinous act should not provide a justification for revenge attacks. Prompt, impartial investigations should ...
1 Maoist killed, 1 injured in encounter with security forces
A Maoist was killed and another injured during an encounter with the security forces in Palamau district, police said today. The encounter took place in Jhunjhuna jungle under the jurisdiction of Naodiha Police station yesterday evening, the police said, adding, four firearms and a large quantity of ammunition were recovered from the spot. The Maoists attacked the security forces, who returned the fire and during the Maoist was killed during the encounter, a police officer said. Another Maoist, a 15-year-old girl, suffered splinter injuries, said Superintendent of Police Indrajeet Mahatha. Mahatha, who led the operation, said the injured girl has been rescued and shifted to a hospital. The injured girl was scared and she was hiding behind bushes while others sneaked into the jungle, he said. The girl told police that she had joined the Naxal outfit out of poverty, Mahatha said, adding, she would be rehabilitated. She also told police that three to four other Naxals fled ..
PTI chief Imran Khan to contest from Karachi?
If reports doing rounds on social media are to be beleived, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party chief Imran Khan will contest from Karachi in 2018 elections.As many as 47 nominations papers have been filed in Sindh province for the elections scheduled for March 3.With the sidelining of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain following his controversial remarks in which he made derogatory remarks against Pakistan and its armed forces, various parties have come up to fill the void created with his absence.Karachi's political powerhouses such as Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, MQM-Pakistan and Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) have been flexing their muscles to take home the prized city.
Armed forces contributed to healthcare in militancy-hit
Former Defence Minister Sharad Pawar said today that the services of the armed forces were used in healthcare and other sectors to win the trust of people when militancy was at its peak in Punjab in the early 1990s. Speaking at a programme where Jammu and Kashmir N N Vohra was honoured with 'Sant Namdeo National Award', Pawar said the rural areas of then militancy-hit Punjab faced a shortage of healthcare professionals and skilled mechanic to repair trucks and tractors. The Defence Ministry had to deploy a number of mechanic from the armed forces to repair tractors and help farmers and medicos from the Armed Forces Corps, the NCP leader said. Pawar, who the defence minister between 1991 and 1993, said Vohra was the defence secretary then and he played a critical role in ensuring the task was completed successfully. He added that soliders in plain clothes were also deployed in villages of Punjab during that time. "This helped win people's trust," Pawar said.
Officials start clearing damaged shops in temple premises
In line with the Madras High Court orders, officials of Sri Meenakshi temple, assisted by police, today started clearing the shops which were damaged in the recent fire in the shrine's premises. The shop keepers also cooperated with the temple administration and removed the articles. The court had ordered shopkeepers inside the temple here to vacate before noon today in view of the fire at Vasantharayar mandapam in the premises. The shops vacated from the temple would be accommodated at the Kunnathur Chatiram in a shopping complex, temple officials said.
Two women Naxals arrested in Chhattisgarh
Two women Naxals were arrested in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Friday.During the search operation, the security forces recovered detonator, wires, a pipe bomb and pamphlets from their possession.The Maoists have been a regular nuisance in Bijapur.Yesterday, the encounter between the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel and Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada ended.Following a belligerent attack from the CISF, the Naxals ran away towards the dense forest of Bijapur.
Defence Secretary, Army Vice Chief review security in J&K
Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra and Vice Chief of Army Lt Gen Sarath Chand on Friday visited Jammu and Kashmir and reviewed security along the borders and in the hinterland.
Naxals kill former colleague who had turned police informer
Naxals have killed a former colleague who, after surrendering, was working as a police informer, officials said today. Hinga Madkami, who had surrendered in June last year, was shot dead by rebels last night at his native Phulpar village under Kuakonda police station limits, a senior police official told PTI. After quitting the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist), Madkami was working as an informer for the Special Task Force (STF) in the area, he said. On Thursday, Madkami had gone to Phulpar, located around 450 kms away from the capital, to take part in rituals being performed at his house following the death of his mother, the official said. The rebels stormed his home, attacked him with sharp weapons before shooting him, the official informed. A police team had rushed to the spot and combing operations were underway, the official said, adding that the body had been taken for postmortem.
Defence Secretary reviews security situation in Kashmir
Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra today reviewed the security situation in Kashmir and visited forward posts along the Line of Control in the valley. A defence spokesperson said Mitra interacted with commanders and troops on the ground. "He was also briefed on the close coordination among all the government agencies in maintaining peace in the region," he said. Mitra visited Badami Bagh Cantonment, the headquarters of the Army's 15 Corps here, where he was briefed by Corps Commander Lt Gen A K Bhatt on counter-infiltration and counter-terrorism grids functional in the valley. "Mitra appreciated the measures instituted to strengthen the security posture and the job being done by the security forces," the spokesperson said. Meanwhile,Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Sarath Chand alsoarrived in the valley today to review the prevailing security situation and visited formations and units in North Kashmir, the spokesperson said. The Lt Gen was briefed by the commanders on the ...
One dead, 62 wounded in mosque attack in Libya's Benghazi
Twin bomb blasts struck a mosque in Benghazi in eastern Libya today, killing one person and wounding more than 62, the city's main hospital said. The explosions hit the mosque at the start of weekly prayers in Libya's second city, which lies 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) east of Tripoli, a security source told AFP. One bomb was hidden in a coffin in the courtyard of the mosque and another in a shoe cabinet at the entrance, the source added. At least one person was killed and 62 wounded, according to a spokeswoman for the city's Al-Jala hospital, Fadia al- Barghathi. The blast follows twin car bombings on January 24 outside a mosque in Benghazi that left nearly 40 people dead. There was no claim of responsibility for that attack, which underscored the ongoing chaos in the Benghazi region which is controlled by the forces of military strongman Khalifa Haftar. Haftar, who opposes a UN-backed unity government based in Tripoli, announced Benghazi's "liberation" from jihadists ..
Western army commander reviews security situation of Samba-
Lt Gen Surinder Singh, Western Army Commander, today visited forward areas of Samba and Pathankot sectors and reviewed the security situation. He reviewed the preparedness of the Army in the region and stressed on ensuring fail-safe security measures, Defence spokesman said. The Western Army commander appreciated the coordinated efforts being made by all security agencies in the area. He was briefed by Lt Gen Y V K Mohan, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Rising Star Corps on the prevailing situation in the Jammu-Pathankot region and the security measures in place, the spokesman said.
1 killed in Libya mosque explosion
An explosion hit a mosque in the Libyan city Benghazi on Friday, killing a worshipper and injuring 55 others, authorities said.
Chhattisgarh: Two Naxals killed in encounter
Two commander level Naxals of People's Liberation Guerilla Army were killed in an encounter with security forces on Friday in the jungles of Lachantola, Chhattisgarh.The security forces also recovered two weapons from them.One of the naxals carried a bounty of Rs 8 lakh on his head, while the other carried Rs 2 lakh reward on his head.The encounter broke out at around 11 a.m during a joint search operation carried out by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP), District Reserve Guard (DRG), and Madhya Pradesh's Hawk Force.
Air strikes batter Syria rebel enclave for fifth day
Fresh air strikes hit the Syrian rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta on Friday, the fifth straight day of a bombing campaign that has killed more than 220 civilians. Syrian warplanes have battered the enclave's towns since Monday, trapping thousands of families in makeshift bomb shelters and overwhelming rescue workers. World powers failed to back an appeal by UN officials for a month-long ceasefire to allow for desperately needed aid deliveries and medical evacuations. Bombing raids resumed on several Eastern Ghouta towns on Friday morning after a few hours of calm, AFP correspondents reported. Residents had taken advantage of the lull to begin clearing rubble from their doorsteps and sweeping away broken glass. In Douma, some civilians were seen scouring for salvageable items, while others rushed to the market to find food and other supplies. But around mid-morning, an announcement blasted over mosque minarets warned of incoming strikes: "Surveillance plane in the sky. ...
Sri Lanka to release of 113 Indian fishermen
The Sri Lankan Government today recommended release of 113 Indian fishermen arrested in recent months by its Navy on charges of fishing in its territorial waters, a fishermen association leader here said. A communication in this regard had been sent to the court in Jaffna, Tamil Nadu Mechanised Boats Fishermen Association President P Sesuraja said quoting information received from the Fisheries officials in Sri Lanka. The fishermen from Tamil Nadu had been detained over a period of time and lodged in prisons in the neighbouring country. Their mechanised boats had been impounded. The state government had taken up the issue with the Centre last month and sought release of the fishermen and the boats. This is the second instance of release of Indian fishermen in large numbers since December last year. The Sri Lankan government had released 89 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the last week of December. Sesuraja said the court in Jaffna today set free four of the ..
Reuters says Myanmar held journalists for probing Rohingya
Two Reuters journalists detained for two months by Myanmar authorities were arrested over their investigation of a massacre of 10 Rohingya men, the news agency said in a report that detailed the grisly killings. It is the first time Reuters has publicly confirmed what Myanmar nationals Wa Lone, 31, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 27, were working on when they were arrested on December 12 on the outskirts of Yangon. The pair are now facing up to 14 years in prison on charges of possessing classified documents in violation of the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. Their plight has sparked global alarm over withering press freedoms in Myanmar and government efforts to curb reporting in northern Rakhine state -- a crisis-hit region where troops are accused of waging an ethnic cleansing campaign against Rohingya Muslims. Nearly 700,000 Rohingya have fled the area since last August, carrying stories of atrocities at the hands of troops and vigilante groups in the Buddhist-majority ...