Page 770 - War Conflict
Pope offers peace token in meeting with Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Pope Francis today while police enforced a protest ban in central Rome as feelings run high over Turkey's offensive against Kurdish militia inside Syria. During the 50-minute audience, Pope Francis gave Erdogan a medallion embossed with an angel strangling a "demon of war" -- a symbol of peace and justice. For the first visit by a Turkish leader for 59 years, the Italian authorities have imposed a 24-hour ban on demonstrations which covers Erdogan's arrival from late Sunday to his departure on Monday evening. Erdogan's convoy arrived at a deserted Saint Peter's Square, which was under heavy security as a total of 3,500 police have been deployed for the visit. Nevertheless a small sit-in protest by some 30 people, organised by a Kurdish association in Italy, took place on Monday not far from the Vatican. Turkey on January 20 launched its "Olive Branch" operation against Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia which
Syria strikes kill 23 civilians near Damascus: monitor
At least 23 civilians were killed today as Syrian government air strikes pounded a rebel-held enclave near the capital Damascus, a monitor said. The region of Eastern Ghouta is home to an estimated 400,000 people living under government siege and facing escalating bombardment in recent weeks. "Dozens of air strikes hit several areas in Eastern Ghouta, killing 23 civilians including four children," said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor. The deadliest raids hit a market in the town of Beit Sawa, killing nine civilians including two children. Another six civilians, including a young girl, were killed in bombardment on the town of Hazzeh. The remaining eight were killed in strikes across the rest of the besieged region, and more than 80 people were wounded, the Observatory said. An AFP correspondent in Eastern Ghouta could hear warplanes above, circling around the town every few minutes. Eastern Ghouta is supposed to be ..
Chinese national attacked by gunmen in Pak
A Chinese national, working at a shipping firm in Pakistan, was shot in the head by unidentified gunmen who opened fire at his car here in what police are calling a targeted attack. There were two Chinese nationals in the car when the armed assailants opened fire in Karachi's Clifton area, the DawnNews reported. The other Chinese national managed to escape, but a 30- year-old passerby was shot in the leg. According to police, the victim was shot in the head when the suspects opened fire at him. Nine bullet casings were recovered from the site of the attack. "It appears to be a targeted incident," police added. The Chinese national received a head injury and is in critical condition at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. Sindh Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal took notice of the incident and ordered deputy inspector general south to start an inquiry into the matter. "All measures should be taken to ensure that the suspects are arrested," the minister said. Last year, a ...
Terror suspect arrested in Lucknow
The Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) of the Uttar Pradesh police arrested a terror suspect here on Monday, officials said.
9 Afghan militants killed in clashes between two groups
At least nine militants were killed in clashes between the Lashkar-e-Islami (LeI) and the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.The Khaama Press quoted the 201st Silab Corps as saying that the clashes took place in the vicinity of Mamand Dara area of Achin district.Three LeI and six IS militants were among those killed, Silab Corps added.Seven militants from both groups were also injured in the group.Last year in October, a deadly fight between the two factions of Taliban in western Heart region left 50 insurgents dead.
Five 'overground militants' arrested in J&K (Lead, correcting day)
Five overground workers (OGWs) of militant outfits responsible for carrying out grenade attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district were arrested on Monday rpt Monday, police said.
Man held with pistol and dozen rounds in Delhi Metro
A 29-year-old man, allegedly carrying a country-made pistol and a dozen bullets, was today apprehended from a Delhi Metro station here, the CISF said. N K Patel, who hails from a village near Bihar's capital Patna, was found carrying the firearm and 12 rounds by CISF personnel at the Dwarka Mor station when his bag was being scanned, a CISF spokesperson said. He said the pistol was country-made. The man has been handed over to the Delhi Police by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) team for further investigation, he said. Carrying arms and ammunition in the Delhi Metro is banned under the law.
Suspected jihadists kill two soldiers in Mali
Suspected jihadists killed two Malian soldiers overnight in the country's unstable north, military sources said today, adding that they also attacked a police station. Mali's deteriorating security situation is of growing concern as Al-Qaeda-linked groups mount increasingly deadly attacks on domestic and foreign forces. "Terrorists on motorbikes opened fire" on two soldiers from the National Guard at Gossi, south of Gao, a major city in the region, a military source told AFP. Another source said the two men were shot in the head. On Sunday evening, suspected jihadists also attacked a police station at Hombori, about 90 kilometres (55 miles) south of Gossi. "The army responded. To the best of our knowledge, there are no victims," a security source told AFP. At least four civilians were killed in the north on Friday and Saturday and authorities have banned motorbikes and pick-up trucks in some areas to prevent further jihadist attacks. Such vehicles are often used by ...
25 Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan
At least 25 militants, belonging to the insurgent group Taliban, have been killed and 13 others injured in an operation by security forces in central Ghazni province of Afghanistan.Tolo News quoted the Provincial Police Office's statement on Monday as saying that the militants were killed on Sunday during an ongoing military operation.The 'Nabard-e-Ahanin' operation was launched a week ago in Deh Yak district of the province to clear the area of insurgents.The operation is ongoing, it said, adding, "The air force is also supporting the forces."Yesterday, Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence said that at least one hundred militants were killed by the security forces in the past 24 hours across the country.The operation was conducted after three major militant attacks had taken place in Kabul during the past two weeks.Since January 20, militants have stormed a luxury hotel, bombed a crowded street and raided a military compound in Kabul, killing more than 130 people.
Five 'overground militants' arrested in J&K
Five overground workers (OGWs) of militant outfits responsible for carrying out grenade attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district were arrested on Friday, police said.
JeM module busted: Police
Security forces have busted a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) module, involved in several grenade throwing incidents, by arresting five over-ground workers (OGWs) in Pulwama district of south Kashmir, police said today. In a joint operation, the police, Army and CRPF have busted a JeM module and arrested five OGWs from Awantipora area of the district, a police official said. He said the module was involved in grenade throwing incidents in Pampore and Khrew areas of the district.
BSF seizes fake notes of face value of Rs 1.94 lakh in Malda
Border Security Force troops have seized fake Indian currency notes (FICN) of the face value of Rs 1.94 lakh in Malda district, the BSF said today. BSF troops yesterday night observed a suspected person coming on a motorcycle from Kamata village in the district. On being challenged, he fled away but one packet fell down, a BSF release said. On opening the packet the troops found fake currency notes of 2000 denomination with a face value of Rs 1.94 lakh. The seized currency notes have been handed over to Baishnabnagar police station for further legal action, it said. This year the BSF has seized FICN of face value Rs 4.68 lakh in South Bengal and apprehended one Indian smuggler, the release added.
Women should play greater role in UN peacekeeping: Army vice
Indian Army's vice chief Lt Gen Sarath Chand today pitched for greater representation of women in UN peacekeeping missions and said their participation "should not be limited to supportive roles". He also hoped to increase India's contribution of women to the missions by the end of the year. Addressing a gathering at an event here, the Vice Chief of Army Staff described conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) as the "worst form of suffering" and asserted that women participation in peacekeeping missions "should not be limited to supportive roles". "Greater participation of women in areas of conflict prevention was particularly necessary for lasting peace and security... And, gender mainstreaming is a way to end CRSV," Chand said. He was speaking at the launch of a four-day training programme -- Mainstreaming Gender in UN Peacekeeping to end Conflict-related Sexual Violence -- jointly hosted by Delhi- based think-tank USI (United Service Institution of India) and UN ...
Boko Haram kills two as military says group 'defeated'
Boko Haram fighters stormed a village in northeast Nigeria and killed two people, a local resident and a security source said today, as the military again maintained the jihadists had been defeated. The attack happened on Sunday evening at Alau-Kofa village, some 12 kilometres from the Borno state capital, Maiduguri. "Boko Haram came to our village last night at about 8:00 pm firing guns and RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades)," Bulama Bukar, who lives in Alau-Kofa, told AFP. "Two people were burnt alive and the whole village was burnt, along with our food." Bukar, whose father was shot in the leg during the attack, said the jihadists "specifically came to steal our cattle" but were forced to abandon the herds when soldiers arrived. "Last Wednesday they attacked the village, killed three people and took away 50 cattle. And now they came back," he added. A security source in Maiduguri, who asked not to be identified as he was not authorised to speak to the media, confirmed .
Indonesia to hold 'landmark' jihadist-terror survivor meeting
A landmark reconciliation meeting between survivors of terror attacks and the perpetrators will be held in Indonesia this month, Jakarta said today. The meeting, announced by chief security minister Wiranto, is being touted as a first for Muslim-majority Indonesia, which has long struggled with Islamist militancy and attacks. "This meeting is quite unique -- it has not ever happened before," Wiranto, who like many Indonesians goes only by one name, told reporters in the capital Jakarta. People currently incarcerated for terror-related offences and ex-convicts will get the chance to apologise to survivors at the meeting, he said. The government did not release the names of the militants or the survivors, and it was not clear for how long or where the two groups would meet. It also did not say if any family members of those killed in such attacks would participate. Indonesia, which has the world's biggest Muslim population, has suffered a string of extremist attacks in the
Soldier and militant killed in Lebanon raid
Militants resisting arrest by the Lebanese army in the restive Tripoli neighbourhood of Bab al- Tabbaneh sparked clashes that killed one on each side, a statement said today. The violence broke out late on Sunday when the army entered the Sunni stronghold with the aim of arresting wanted militants. "One soldier was killed and several others wounded" when the unit was targeted by militants, the army said, adding that hand grenades were used against its men. The army said "one terrorist" was killed and his brother arrested. Weapons and ammunition were also seized. Lebanon's second city has been directly affected by the violence raging in neighbouring Syria, where the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, who is from the Alawite minority, has been battling mostly Sunni groups since 2011. Recurring clashes pitting residents from Bab al-Tabbaneh against those of Jabal Mohsen, an adjacent and mostly Alawite neighbourhood, led the army to deploy in the area in 2014.
Seven injured as jeep runs into truck near Nashik
Seven persons including two women were injured when a passenger jeep going from Ghoti to Nashik collided with a truck near Jindal company on Mumbai-Agra highway today morning, Nashik Rural police said. The injured were admitted to the Nashik Civil Hospital and a private hospital, police said.
Sharad Yadav meets Lalu in jail for RS seat: JD-U
Rebel JD-U leader Sharad Yadav on Monday met RJD chief Lalu Prasad in a Ranchi jail, drawing taunts from JD-U spokesperson Neeraj Kumar who said Yadav is "desperate for a Rajya Sabha seat" hence the prison call.
Afghan conflict can't be resolved by military solution: Pak PM
Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday said that the decades-old insurgency in Afghanistan would never be addressed with a military solution and that both sides should opt for peace talks."At the end of the day the Afghans have to sit down and talk," Abbasi said in a TV interview.According to the Tolo news, Abbasi expressed concerns over the increasing number of United States troops in Afghanistan and said that Islamabad was ready to enter into talks with the Taliban.Bloomberg reported that Abbasi had slammed charges and allegations on Pakistan's lackadaisical approach in tackling terrorism and said Islamabad recently handed over 27 Taliban prisoners to Kabul."These are Afghan nationals who were arrested inside Pakistan, they were not involved in a terror attack on us otherwise we would have prosecuted them here, so we handed them back to the Afghans," Abbasi said.However, the Afghan government has reportedly rejected such claims and instead said that no prisoner ...
12 Taliban militants killed in Afghan airstrikes
Tweleve militants were killed as Afghan military warplanes pounded Taliban hideouts in the northern Badakhshan, Faryab and Sari Pul provinces on Monday, an official said.