Page 783 - War Conflict

Prepare for new forms of terrorism, insurgency: Kiren Rijiju

The Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju congratulated the cadets and urged them to prepare for emerging challenges

'Too soon to write off Al Qaeda, Hamza bin Laden could be leader soon'

It's been over half a decade since its founder Osama bin Laden was traced and eliminated but it is too soon to write off his Al Qaeda which has regrouped in a number of places spanning the middle of the Arab heartlands to its periphery as well as north Africa and trying to wrest a hold in the South Asian subcontinent, says an eminent American counter-terrorism expert..

Territorial integrity of Assam won't be compromised: Rajnath

Territorial integrity of Assam and other northeastern states will not be compromised when the final Naga peace accord is inked, Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today. Sonowal apprised Singh about the situation in the state's Dima Hasao district where protests against the demand for a "Greater Nagalim" claimed two lives. "The home minister assured that not a single inch of Assam's land will be parted with any state. He (Singh) said that the territorial integrity of Assam and other states will be fully protected, and there should be no apprehension in anyone's mind," Sonowal told PTI. The situation in Dima Hasao district continued to be tense for a week following protests over an RSS leader's reported statement that the district would be included in "Greater Nagalim" or Greater Nagaland as part of the Centre's proposed solution for the ongoing peace talks with the NSCN- IM. Two people were killed and about a dozen others injured

Afghan government asked to resign following deadly bombings

A day after the deadliest Taliban-suicide bombing in months that hit the heart of Kabul and left 103 dead, the opposition demanded the resignation of the National Unity Government-led by President Ashraf Ghani.

3 IEDs recovered in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh

Three improvised explosive device (IED) bombs were recovered from a drain on Aranpur road in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh.Two IED was defused on spot.The recovery of the IED bombs was a result of a joint search operation conducted by Kuakonda Police and CRPF 11 Battalion.Earlier on January 17, seven Naxals were arrested from Sukma district by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).Similarly on January 14, the security forces arrested three Naxals in Dantewada.

Criminal with Rs 15k reward on him held after encounter in UP

A criminal carrying a reward of Rs 15,000 on his head, and a constable were injured in an encounter here, police said today. The incident occurred near a rivulet on the Barsana- Goverdhan road, falling under the Barsana police station, late last night, they added. "Criminal Anwar, S/o Saddiq, R/o Hathai village, and constable Preeti Kumar have been hospitalised," Senior Superintendent of Police Swapnil Mamgai said. One country-made pistol, live and empty cartridges and a motorcycle without a registration number were recovered from Anwar, who was carrying a reward of Rs 15,000 and was wanted in cases of loot, murder, encounter, dacoity, Arms Act etc, he added. Both the constable and the criminal were injured during the exchange of fire, Mamgai said. A hunt was on for the associates of Anwar who managed to flee using the cover of darkness, he added.

Israel summons Polish envoy over Holocaust bill

Israel summoned a top Polish diplomat today to express concerns over legislation Warsaw was advancing regarding the Holocaust and the definition of Nazi death camps. Poland's rightwing-dominated parliament adopted legislation on Friday setting a maximum three-year jail term for anyone who accuses the Polish nation or state of complicity with Nazi crimes, or who refers to Nazi German death camps as being Polish. The measure, intended to apply to both Poles and foreigners, must still pass the Senate before being signed by the president. The charge d'affaires for Poland's embassy in Israel, Piotr Kozlowski, was summoned to the foreign ministry for a "clarification" with senior officials, a statement read. "Israel's opposition to the wording of the bill was expressed to him," the ministry said. "The timing of the bill -- the eve of International Holocaust Remembrance Day -- was particularly surprising and unfortunate." It added that "the legislation will not help further the

Don't contest elections: Naga rebels

Naga separatists on Sunday warned persons planning to contest the Nagaland Assembly polls not to sabotage the historical processes by taking part in electoral processes.

Afghanistan says death toll from Kabul bombing rises to 103

Afghan authorities have raised the death toll from Saturday's suicide bombing in Kabul to 103, as hundreds of people gathered for funerals or awaited word of loved ones outside hospitals and morgues. The attacker, driving an ambulance filled with explosives, was able to race through a security checkpoint by saying he was transferring a patient to a hospital. The explosion damaged or destroyed dozens of shops and vehicles in the heart of the city, near government buildings. Interior Minister Wais Ahmad Barmak provided the updated death toll on Sunday, saying another 235 people were wounded in the attack. He said police were among those killed and wounded. He said the attackers drove two ambulances, both of which made it past the checkpoint before one of them turned around and left the area, indicating some of the attackers escaped. The Taliban claimed the attack, which dealt a major blow to the US-backed Afghan government. Afghan security forces have struggled to combat ...

Indian tunes to set mood at 'Beating Retreat' ceremony

Indian tunes will be the flavour of Beating Retreat ceremony at Vijay Chowk tomorrow with 26 performances by the bands of armed forces, central police and state police contingents. The ceremony held on January 29 every year marks the culmination of the four-day-long Republic Day celebrations. As many as 26 performances will be held by the Army, Navy, Air Force, state police and Central Armed Police Force bands taking turns to enthrall the audience including the president and other dignitaries. There will be 25 tunes prepared by the Indian musicians, including 'Indian Soldiers', 'Herana Heran', 'Mushkoh Valley', 'Tejas', 'The Great Marshal','Namaste India', among others. The only western tune will be 'Abide with me'. The event will come to a close with the ever-popular tune of 'Sare Jahan se Acha', a statement from Defence Ministry said. This year, 18 military bands, 15 pipes and drums bands from regimental centres and battalions are participating in the ceremony, it ...

Shutdown against killings hit life in Kashmir Valley

Life across the Kashmir Valley was affected on Sunday as a shutdown called by separatists against the killing of two civilians by the Army crippled normal life even as an FIR named a Garhwal unit as the culprits.

NCC cadet suffers minor bruises during para-sailing exercise

A senior NCC cadet today suffered minor bruises as he lost balance while taking off during a para-sailing exercise and fell from a height. The cadet was a member of the group undertaking a para- sailing exercise at the Cariappa Parade Ground, as a part of the NCC Parade, an official said. The event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and chiefs of the three armed forces. The cadet was to take off from a speeding car. In his second attempt, he ascended to a height for a few seconds and then fell. Fortunately, an ambulance whisked him away within minutes. "He suffered minor bruises and is doing absolutely fine," an NCC official said.

FIR in Kashmir killings against Garhwal unit

An FIR lodged by Jammu and Kashmir Police for the killing of two civilians in Shopian district mentions soldiers from a Garhwal unit as the accused.

Kabul ambulance bombing toll climbs to 103

The death toll in Saturday's horrific terrorist bombing here has risen to 103, with 235 others injured, Afghan Interior Minister Wais Ahmad Barmak told the media on Sunday.

BJP MLA escapes assassination bid in Manipur

BJP legislator Heikham Dingo escaped unhurt when a bomb ripped through the boundary wall of his house here, police said. No one in his family was injured either.

Three injured in Kashmir blast

Three people were injured on Sunday in a mysterious explosion in an apple orchard in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district.

3 injured after unidentified object explodes in orchard

Three people were today injured after an unidentified object exploded at an orchard in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district, police said. "While digging the fields at Chermarg in Zainapora area of Shopian, some suspicious object exploded, injuring the three people," a police spokesman said. The injured were identified as Ghulam Nabi (55), Zubair Ahmad (18) and Umar Farooq (19), he said. The injured were taken to the district hospital in Anantnag for treatment. Their condition was stated to be stable, the spokesman said. The police have taken cognisance of the matterand the nature of the explosion is being investigated, he said.

Kabul attack a Taliban attempt to oppose peace talks

The deadly suicide attack by the Taliban in Kabul on Saturday that claimed more than 100 lives and injured nearly 200 others has shocked Afghans from all walks of life.

Kabul attack: Death toll rises to 103

The death toll in the suicide car bombing in Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Saturday has risen to 103.According to the local media reports, the Afghan Ministry of Interior (MoI) has confirmed the death toll.Earlier today, MoI had said that five people were killed and 163 others injured.Afghanistan government has declared a nationwide national day of mourning after a suicide car bombing in Kabul that claimed 95 lives and injured 163 others on Saturday.According to the Khaama Press, Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has instructed that the national flag should put at half-mast across all governmental institutions as well as the diplomatic missions outside the country.Afghan President office in a statement said the decision was taken to mourn with the families of the deceased individuals who lost their lives in the attacks in Kabul, Nangarhar, and Kandahar.A public holiday has also been declared only in Kabul for Monday to help the families of the victims as well as those ...

Israel condemns Poland over Holocaust Bill

Israel has condemned Poland over the latter's pending legislation in the country, which bars any mention of crimes by the "Polish nation" during the Holocaust.Several media reports stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the proposed law "baseless" and ordered his country's ambassador in Warsaw to meet with Polish leaders to express his strong opposition."The law is baseless. I strongly oppose it. History cannot be changed and it is forbidden to deny the Holocaust. I ordered the Israeli embassy in Poland to meet with the Polish Prime Minister and express my firm stand against the law," Netanyahu said.On Friday, the lower house of the Polish Parliament passed the bill, which slates imprisonment over the usage of the phrases such as "Polish death camps" to refer to the killing sites Nazi Germany operated in occupied Poland during World War II.The bill still needs approval from Poland's Senate and president."On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, more than ever,