Page 819 - War Conflict
NSG enhances sniping capabilities of its commandos
Elite counter-terror force NSG has bolstered its sniping capabilities so that it can effectively tackle terrorists and other emerging threats to national security, the force's chief said today. The 'black cat' commando force has procured new sniper weapons and trained more sharp-shooters in the skill in the recent past and is increasingly using them for special operations, NSG Director General S P Singh said. "The skill of sniping is a big asset for a commando force like us. We have put a greater stress on this domain," Singh told PTI. The National Security Guard (NSG), he said, has also procured advanced sniping weapons and has trained more personnel for special tasks. The NSG DG, however, did not quantify the number of NSG commandos trained in the skill. Official sources said while snipers were essentially part of NSG assault teams in operations, their numbers were now being increased and used more frequently. "So, the next time a counter-terror team is making an ...
14 Naxals arrested in two districts of Chhattisgarh
Fourteen Naxals were arrested from two districts of the insurgency-hit Bastar division of Chhattisgarh today, police said. While nine rebels were arrested in Sukma district, five were picked up in Narayanpur district. A joint team of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the District Force of police was out on a search operation under the limits of Bhejji police station in Sukma when it rounded up eight Naxals, Sukma Additional Superintendent of Police Jitendra Shukla told PTI. Of them, Madvi Manish (27) was active as Jan-Militia deputy commander, Madvi Hunga (24) as head of the Dandakaranya Adivasi Kisan Majdoor Sangthan (DAKMS)-- a front organisation of Maoists -- and Podiyam Ganga (34) as deputy head of DAKMS, he said. Rest of the arrested cadres -- Madvi Hidma (19), Muchaki Kosa (19), Madvi Bheema (20), Madkam Aayta (26) and Madvi Baman (28) were active as members of Jan-Militia of Maoists and DAKMS groups, he added. All of them were allegedly involved in ...
1 killed, 1 injured in protesters, security forces clashes
A 20-year-old man was killed and another injured allegedly in security forces firing in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir during clashes which erupted after an encounter between militants and security forces in a nearby area. Khalid Dar and Yasir Qayoom were injured when security forces allegedly opened fire to disperse protesters at Khudwani in Kulgam district, officials said here. The clashes erupted after the encounter between security forces and militants in nearby Kokernag area in Anantnag. Two militants were killed in the encounter. The officials said the injured youth were rushed to a hospital in Anantnag where Khalid was declared 'brought dead'.
Militant module busted in J&K, 11 nabbed
Security forces have busted a module of militants and their over ground workers, arresting 11 people including two ultras who were trying to recruit youngsters into the ranks of various outfits in Sopore area of Kashmir, police said. Police have arrested two terrorists and busted an OGW module by arresting its nine members who were trying to recruit innocent youths in the ranks of different banned terrorist outfits, a police spokesperson said. Acting on specific information regarding presence of militants in Watlab area near Sopore, a cordon and search operation was launched by police along with Navy's Marine Commandos (MARCOS) and CRPF on January 7, the spokesman said. "During search operation, two terrorists who were hiding near a school, tried to open fire on the security forces party but they were overpowered and arrested," he said. These militants were identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Chopan alias Haroon and Shuja-ud-din Sheikh, both residents of Tral area in south ...
BJP targeting youth leaders: Mevani
Gujarat Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani on Tuesday accused the BJP of targeting youth leaders like him and charged the party and the RSS with instigating violence against Dalits in Bhima Koregaon in Maharasthra.
MHA wants paramilitary personnel posted in JK, NE to retain
The Home Ministry will soon approach the Urban Development Ministry to allow paramilitary personnel serving in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast to retain their accommodations in the national capital beyond three years, an official said here today. The request for providing accommodation for longer durations to the families of personnel serving in the terror- hit Jammu and Kashmir and insurgency-prone Northeast will be made following a representation made by the paramilitary forces, the official said. The ministry wanted to ensure that the families of the jawans, fighting the terrorists in these two areas, are completely looked after. There were many instances when an officer of the paramilitary force like CRPF after being posted in the Northeast, often sent to Jammu and Kashmir and the ministry wants relaxation in such cases, the official said requesting anonymity. The relaxation will be sought where the officers are given accommodations in the general pool category .
Nangarhar deadliest Province for US troops in Afghanistan
Afghanistan's Nangarhar has been the deadliest province for the United States forces over the last year.The Tolo News quoted reports, as claiming that, "One-third of the 21 U.S. service members killed in combat last year died there, more than in any other single spot where troops were fighting in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Somalia and Niger."It is one of the few provinces in Afghanistan, where U.S. troops have been routinely accompanying Afghan forces into battle.According to the report, US warplanes have carried out hundreds of airstrikes, while its special forces conducted ground operations in the province.As per the new Afghan strategy of the U.S. administration, which President Donald Trump announced in August, the forces have intensified the attacks against Taliban and the number of soldiers has gone up as well.Around 14,000 U.S. soldiers are currently in Afghanistan.Earlier this week, one U.S. soldier was killed and four others got injured during a "combat engagement" in ..
Navy capable of defending India against any threat: Defence Minister
The Indian Navy is "fully capable" of defending the country against any threat, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday after she reviewed the navy's maritime prowess.
IS militants killed in Afghanistan
At least three militants, affiliated with the so-called Islamic State (IS), were blown up by own explosives in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province.The militants were looking to plant an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) when the incident took place in the vicinity of the restive Achin district, reported Khaama Press, quoting the officials.The anti-government armed militant groups frequently use explosives for the roadside and car bombings to target the government staff and security personnel, the report said.So far, no comment has been made by the militant groups and the IS on the reports.
Egypt says its forces kill 8 suspected militants in Sinai
Egypt says security forces have killed eight suspected militants in a shootout in the northern Sinai Peninsula. The Interior Ministry said today the firefight broke out when the forces raided a suspected hideout in el-Arish city. It said the militants were planning attacks targeting security forces, and were in possession of explosives, rifles and ammunition. Egypt has been battling militants in the northern part of Sinai Peninsula for years, but the insurgency became far more deadly after the 2013 military ouster of Mohammed Morsi, an elected but divisive Islamist president. An Islamic State affiliate based in the Sinai has carried out a number of high-profile attacks in recent years, mainly targeting security forces and Egypt's Christian minority.
Defence Min presides over India's display of Naval might
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday presided over India's show of Naval might and viewed air/helicopter borne under-water detection capabilities with Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba and Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Western Command Vice Admiral Girish Luthra.More than ten warships from the Indian Navy including the aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, three submarines and various naval aircraft participated in operational manoeuvres conducted off at the western coast of India.Sitharaman initially embarked INS Kolkata, the first of the indigenously built Kolkata Class destroyers and then spent the night at sea on-board INS Vikramaditya.To assess the performance of the carrier in real conditions, the Defence Minister 'transited' through a simulated 'multi-threat' environment on-board along with her 'escorts' during the night of January 8.Reviewing the maritime prowess of the Indian Navy over the two days, Sitharaman presided over a multiple complex naval ...
Lankan Navy attacks TN fishermen, snaps fishing nets
More than 3,500 fishermen from Tamil Nadu were today chased away by the Sri Lankan Navy, which damaged some boats and snapped the fishing nets of around 50 vessels, for allegedly fishing in their territorial waters off the Katchatheevu islet. The fishermen from Mandapam and this island town had ventured into the sea in 680 boats yesterday and were fishing near Katchatheevu when the Lankan Navy personnel came to the spot and asked them to leave, Rameswaram Fishermen Association president P Sesuraja said. The naval personnel also hurled stones at the fishermen and cut the fishing nets of 50 boats, following which all the fishermen returned to the shore this morning, he said, while seeking the Centre's intervention to put an end to the recurring attacks on them. Sesuraja also demanded that a jetty be set up at Kundukal, near Pamban. The attack comes days after Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam met a team of fishermen from this town and assured them that the .
Two militants, nine sympathizers arrested in Kashmir
Two militants and nine overground workers (OGWs) of militant outfits have been arrested in Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore town.
Mevani's Hunkar rally underway in Delhi's Parliament Street
The 'Yuva Hunkar' rally led by Dalit spearhead Jignesh Mevani, a newly-elected Gujarat MLA, began at Parliament Street here today, amidst heavy police presence in and around the venue. Although the authorities had maintained till the last minute that Mevani and his supporters did not have permission to hold the event, it seems the rally organisers and Delhi Police reached a compromise later. The rally, which began around 1 pm, saw a modest turnout. Former and current JNU student leaders, including Kanhaiya Kumar, Shehla Rashid and Umar Khalid were present on the stage, metres away from the Parliament Street Police Station. Assam farmers leader Akhil Gogoi and senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan were also present apart from students from JNU, Delhi University, Lucknow University and Allahabad University among others. The rally seeks to raise the demand for the release of Dalit outfit Bhim Army's founder Chandrashekhar Azad and emphasise on issues like educational
Mewani's Hunkar rally underway in Delhi's Parliament Street
The 'Yuva Hunkar' rally led by Dalit spearhead Jignesh Mewani, a newly-elected Gujarat MLA, began at Parliament Street here today, amidst heavy police presence in and around the venue. Although the authorities had maintained till the last minute that Mewani and his supporters did not have permission to hold the event, it seems the rally organisers and Delhi Police reached a compromise later. The rally, which began around 1 pm, saw a modest turnout. Former and current JNU student leaders, including Kanhaiya Kumar, Shehla Rashid and Umar Khalid were present on the stage, metres away from the Parliament Street Police Station. Assam farmers leader Akhil Gogoi and senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan were also present apart from students from JNU, Delhi University, Lucknow University and Allahabad University among others. The rally seeks to raise the demand for the release of Dalit outfit Bhim Army's founder Chandrashekhar Azad and emphasise on issues like educational
China mum on troop reduction in Doklam
China on Tuesday did not contradict Indian Army Chief Bipin Rawat's claim that it has significantly reduced the number of troops in Doklam.
Heavy security in Delhi for Mevani's rally
Around 2,000 security personnel, including the paramilitary forces, have been deployed in the national capital in view of the 'Yuva Hunkaar' rally spearheaded by Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani. The Vadgam MLA is expected to hold the rally at 12 noon today at Parliament Street even as the Delhi Police maintained that no permission had been granted for the same. A senior officer from New Delhi district told PTI that additional forces from other districts of the city have been called in. The Parliament Street has been fortified and water cannon vehicles have been deployed, he said. Unhindered, the organisers are making all arrangements for the rally. Yesterday, the city police had said that no permission was given to organise the protest in the city, citing orders of National Green Tribunal (NGT). Swaraj India leader Prashant Bhushan, however, said in a tweet, "Please don't mislead people @DCPNewDelhi. NGT orders are for Jantar Mantar, not Parliament St. SC has always held ...
Buddha statue stolen, Dalits stage protest
A statue of Gautama Buddha was stolen from a village in Muzaffarnagar district, triggering protest by Dalits, police said today. The statue was stolen from Guyana Majra village yesterday, Charthawal police station SHO G C Sharma. Soon after the news spread, angry Dalit villagers staged a protest in the western Uttar Pradesh district, police said. Police have launched a search for the accused.
Anantnag Encounter: Two terrorists killed by security forces
Two suspected militants were gunned down by security forces during an encounter that began in Anantnag district's Kokernag area on Tuesday.The two sides began exchanging fire in the forest area of Larnoo, according to police sources.More details are awaited.Recently, five jawans lost their lives after terrorists stormed a training centre in Pulwama's Awantipora in the wee hours.The terrorists first lobbed grenades and then began indiscriminate firing and entered the centre on December 26.
J-K: Encounter underway in Anantnag
An encounter is reportedly underway between the militants and the security forces in Anantnag district's Kokernag area.The two sides began exchanging fire in the forest area of Larnoo, according to police sources.More details are awaited.Recently, five jawans lost their lives after terrorists stormed a training centre in Pulwama's Awantipora in the wee hours.The terrorists first lobbed grenades and then began indiscriminate firing and entered the centre on December 26.