Page 816 - War Conflict
Suspect in 2000 Red Fort attack sent to police remand
Bilal Ahmad Kawa, a suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist, wanted for his alleged role in 2000 Red Fort terror attack, on Thursday was sent to a 10-day police remand by a Delhi Court.The Special Cell of Delhi Police and Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), in a joint operation, apprehended Bilal at the Delhi airport on Wednesday night.The 37-year-old Bilal was apprehended after the Gujarat ATS got a tip-off regarding his movement from Srinagar to Delhi.On 22 December 2000, LeT men sneaked into the Red Fort and opened indiscriminate fire on the guards of the 7th battalion of Rajputana Rifles, killing three persons, including a civilian.The terrorists had managed to flee through the Fort's rear wall.Earlier, terrorist Mohammad Arif alias Ashfaq, who was convicted in the case, had been awarded death sentence.
Nagaland assembly polls on schedule: Rajnath
The assembly election in Nagaland will be held on schedule, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today amidst a demand by the state's civil society groups for deferring the polls to facilitate a solution to the vexed Naga insurgency issue. This was conveyed by the home minister to NagalandChief Minister T R Zeliang when the latter met him here yesterday. "HM also told the Nagaland Chief Minister that announcing the dates for assembly elections is the prerogative of the Election Commission and the elections have to be held on schedule," the office of the home minister tweeted. During the meeting, the chief minister also gave some suggestions to the home ministerfor a solution to the vexed Naga issue. "HM told him that the negotiations of various Naga groups with the interlocutor will continue," another tweet said. Nagaland Health and Family Welfare Minister Imkong Imchen on Tuesday said he supported the demand of various Naga groups to defer the upcoming assembly elections in .
Afghanistan frees 75 Hizb-e-Islami prisoners
The Afghan government released at least 75 Hizb-E-Islami prisoners from Pul-e-Charkhi prison in Kabul on Thursday.The prisoners were released in accordance with the peace agreement signed between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Hizb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar last year.The process of releasing the prisoners had been delayed for months after the human rights organisations criticised the Afghan government for releasing the prisoners, who had been involved in insurgency incidents that killed thousands of people in the last few years.Hizb-e-Islami claims that there are 3,000 of its members being held in Afghan prisons.According to Article 11 of the peace agreement, it stated: "After assessment of their documents, all prisoners of Hizb-e-Islami who are accused of political and security crimes and are exempted from 'the right of people'" (a legal term which is used for those who don't carry any complaint from members of the public in a court).It was the third batch of ...
Myanmar military admits killing 10 Rohingyas
In a rare acknowledgement, the Myanmar military has admitted that the members of its security forces were involved in the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslims, whose bodies were found in a mass grave in December in the restive Rakhine region.The Rohingyas found in the mass grave had threatened Buddhist villagers and were killed in retaliation, the Independent reported, citing a statement on the military commander-in-chief's Facebook page, as saying.The army described the 10 Rohingya Muslims found in the mass grave as "Bengali terrorists.""It is true that both the villagers and security forces admitted they killed the 10 Bengali terrorists," the military statement added, "The army will take charge of those who are responsible for the killings and who broke the rules of engagement. This incident happened because ethnic Buddhist villagers were threatened and provoked by the terrorists."More than 655,000 Rohingyas have crossed into Bangladesh since August 25, escaping a military crackdown in ...
Sri Lanka lifts ban on alcohol sales to women
Sri Lanka has lifted a ban on selling alcohol to women and prohibiting women from working in places where alcohol is manufactured or sold, the Sri Lankan Ministry of Mass Media and Finance said on Thursday.
PDP MLA courts controversy with 'militants are martyrs' remark
Ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Aijaz Ahmed courted controversy today by calling "Kashmiri militants" "martyrs" and "brothers", batting for talks with separatists, and cautioning against glorifying killing of terrorists. "Terrorists, who are from Kashmir are martyrs. Yes, they are our brothers. They are our children," Aijaz, an MLA from from South Kashmir's Wachi, said here, adding, "some of them are minors of the age of 14 who don't even know what they are doing. We should not glorify the killing of terrorists. It is our collective failure." He said they are children, who have gone down the wrong track, and should be counselled and brought back. "We should desist from glorifying the killings of 200 militants. Nearly one lakh people have been killed due to militancy in all these years. Let us bat for talks," Aijaz said outside the assembly here. He urged the Centre's special representative for Kashmir Dineshwar Sharma to talk to everybody in the state. "He ...
Pak's strategic duplicity, US naivety won't allow conflict in Afghanistan to end soon: Expert
For the United States to come up with a win-win strategy in Afghanistan, it will have to close the wide gap between theory and practice, and marshal all of its resources to compel Pakistan to stop supporting the Taliban and other terror outfits.In an article written for and published by the website theglobalist.com, U.S. Army Colonel (Retired) Robert M. Cassidy says, "The current U.S. Afghanistan strategy acknowledges that Pakistan's support and sanctuary for the Taliban is a major obstacle to success. Until the U.S.-led Coalition has a strategy that shuts down the sanctuary and factories for the Taliban in Pakistan, operational forces will continue to capture and kill Taliban and the Taliban will continue to regenerate and multiply, with a flow of Islamist militants into Afghanistan from the incubator-madrassas in Pakistan."Col. (Retired) Cassidy, who now teaches at Wesleyan University, further says that it is essential for Pakistan to also change what he calls "its malicious ...
Taliban kill five policemen in Afghanistan
Five Afghan police personnel were killed and two others wounded in an attack by the Taliban in the country's northern province, an official said on Thursday.
3 Army personnel injured in 'slithering' ops
Three army personnel were injured while carrying out "slithering" operations from an advanced light helicopter (ALH) at the Army's parade ground here, official sources said today. The incident, involving ALH Dhruv, took place Tuesday. Slithering is an exercise where troops are dropped from a helicopter in an area of operation using a rope attached to the chopper. Following the incident, the Army has suspended slithering operations involving ALH Dhruv till a probe is completed, the sources said. "Material failure" appears to be the reason behind the incident, in which three personnel were injured, they said. ALH Dhruv is an indigenously developed helicopter manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Bangladeshi immigrant indicted for New York subway bomb attack
A Bangladeshi immigrant has been indicted on terrorism charges in the US for last month's botched bombing in a New York City subway station. Akayed Ullah, 27, would face life in prison if convicted of the attack in a passageway near the Port Authority bus terminal on December 11 that left three persons injured. Ullah, 27, who was also injured in the explosion, has been in federal custody since his arrest. He will be arraigned before Judge Sullivan. The federal grand jury indicted Ullah yesterday with one count of providing and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), and one count of using and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction. He has also been charged with one count each of bombing and attempting to bomb a place of public use and a public transportation system; destruction and attempted destruction of property by means of fire or explosives; conducting and attempting to conduct a terrorist attack against a mass .
Zeliang calls on HM regarding Naga insurgency
Nagaland Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang called on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh here and presented him with the suggestions for a solution to the seven-decade-old Naga issue.On the other hand, Home Minister Singh told Zeliang that the negotiations of various Naga groups with the interlocutor will continue.The home minister also told the Nagaland Chief Minister that announcing the dates for assembly elections is the prerogative of the Election Commission and the elections have to be held on schedule. Any reports to the contrary are incorrect.Zeliang statement came a day after the Naga Hoho, an apex Naga tribal body, sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's help in postponing the Assembly polls, saying that the Naga insurgency problem should be resolved first.The insurgency had begun in Nagaland soon after the country's independence.The Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) (NSCN-IM) had signed a framework agreement in 2015 following peace talks that started .
Red Fort attack plot suspect arrested after 17 years
The suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative, who was arrested after 17 long years for his alleged involvement in the 2000 Red Fort terror attack, is kept at the Police Special Cell in Delhi for further probe.The Special Cell of Delhi Police and Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), in a joint operation, apprehended the accused, identified as Bilal Ahmad Kawa, at the Delhi airport Wednesday night.37-year-old Bilal was apprehended after the Gujarat ATS got a tip-off regarding his movement from Srinagar to Delhi.On 22 December 2000, a terrorist attack took place on Red Fort in Delhi, India, which claimed three lives.Earlier, terrorist Mohammad Arif alias Ashfaq, who was convicted in the case, had been awarded death sentence.
Pakistan: Protestors clash with police over girl's rape, murder
Dawn News quoted police officials as saying that riots erupted after the postmortem report of the seven-year-old girl confirmed that she was raped before being murdered.Two people died of gunshot injury when the protesters "armed with sticks and stones attempted to storm the deputy commissioner's office and clashed with police", it said, adding that two others sustained bullet injuries.The Punjab administration said that six personnel, including four policemen and two civil defence personnel, were arrested for allegedly opening fire at the mob.Zainab, 7, was abducted on January 4 when she had gone to a religious centre in Road Kot area.Later, her body was recovered from a heap of trash near the Shahbaz Khan Road.Her parents, who were in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah, arrived here yesterday and laid her body to rest in a graveyard.
Armed robbers loot jewellery worth millions in Paris
Armed with axes, robbers on Wednesday stole more than $5 million worth of jewellery from a shop at the Ritz Hotel in Paris, police said.
Red Fort attack suspect arrested from Delhi airport
In a joint operation, the Delhi Police and Gujarat ATS today arrested a man, suspected to be involved in the 2000 Red Fort attack, here, police said. The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad informed the Delhi Police that one Bilal Ahmed Kawa, who had been declared a proclaimed offender in the case, was travelling from Srinagar to Delhi, they said. Kawa, who was suspected to be linked to Lashkar-e-Toiba, was arrested in the evening from the T-3 terminal of the Delhi Airport and his questioning is underway, the police said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) P S Kushwah said Kawa was arrested around 6 pm. Another officer said that money to the tune of Rs 29.50 lakh was transferred through hawala in various bank accounts, including those of Kawa, to fund the attack. Kawa was on the run since 2000 and was hiding in Kashmir, the police said. Three people, including two Army jawans, were killed in the December 22, 2000 Red Fort attack.
Earth movers of contractors torched
Suspected Maoists today torched earth movers and tractors of a private company engaged in construction of a PMGSY road in Odisha's Kalahandi district, police said. The incident took place early in the morning at Jamchuan village of Kalahandi when employees of the company were sleeping. The Maoists set fire to five earth movers and four tractors, the police said adding that the company has been constructing a road from Gundri to Bhatangpadar. The red rebels had demanded levy and ordered the company to carry out the work according to specifications set by them, the police said. Panicked workers of the contractor have left the camp.
Suspected LeT terrorist involved in 2000 Red Fort attack held
The Special Cell of Delhi Police and Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), in a joint operation on Wednesday, apprehended a suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist at the Delhi airport for his alleged involvement in 2000 Red Fort attack.The arrested accused, identified as Bilal Ahmad Kawa, is being questioned.Bilal was apprehended after the Gujarat ATS got a tip-off regarding his movement from Srinagar to Delhi.On 22 December 2000, a terrorist attack took place on Red Fort in Delhi, India, which claimed three lives.Earlier, terrorist Mohammad Arif alias Ashfaq, who was convicted in the case, had been awarded death sentence.
Red Fort attack suspect detained
In a joint operation, the Delhi Police and Gujarat ATS today detained a man, suspected to be involved in the 2000 Red Fort attack, here, police said. The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism squad informed the Delhi Police today that one Bilal Ahmed Kawa, who had been declared a proclaimed offender in the case, was travelling from Srinagar to Delhi, they said. Kawa was detained in the evening from the Delhi Airport and his questioning is underway, the police said. A senior officer from the Special Cell confirmed that a man has been detained but said that they are verifying whether he is Kawa. Three people, including two Army jawans, were killed in the December 22, 2000 Red Fort attack.
Calls for 'revenge' at funeral of Israeli settler killed in
Israeli forces set up roadblocks and deployed around a major Palestinian city today in a manhunt for attackers who shot dead an Israeli settler, sparking calls at his funeral for "revenge". Raziel Shevah, a 35-year-old rabbi, was killed late yesterday while driving near the wildcat settlement where he lived, Havat Gilad near the northern city of Nablus in the occupied West Bank. Some 22 gunshots were found in his car, Israel's army radio reported. The gunshots reportedly came from a passing vehicle. "Entrances and exits to and from the villages surrounding Nablus will be possible only after security checks," the military said in a statement. "The review of the incident is ongoing. Based on situation assessments, it was decided to reinforce the area with additional forces." Soldiers checked identification papers and searched cars at checkpoints around Nablus, causing long back-ups. No arrests had been reported. The area frequently sees tensions between hardline Israeli ..
Pakistanis among 21 militants killed in Afghanistan
At least 21 militants, including Pakistani nationals, have been killed in the latest airstrikes carried out in the western Farah province of Afghanistan.The Khaama Press quoted the Afghan Ministry of Defense as saying in a statement on Wednesday that the airstrikes were conducted in the vicinity of Khak-e-Safid district.Several weapons and three vehicles belonging to the militants were also destroyed in the airstrikes.No insurgent group has commented on the incident so far.On Monday, at least three terrorists belonging to the Islamic State (IS) group were killed in the airstrikes carried out in eastern Kunar province of Afghanistan.Earlier this week, at least 20 militants affiliated with the IS were killed in an airstrike in the Laghman province.