Page 825 - War Conflict
48.5K armed forces personnel granted premature retirement in
Over 48,500 armed forces personnel have been granted premature retirement during the last four years, according to data provided to the Lok Sabha by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Replying to a question, Sitharaman also said that the Army has adopted a robust counter infiltration strategy in Jammu and Kashmir which has an appropriate mix of technology and human resources. She said innovative troop deployment, proactive use of surveillance and monitoring devices and the anti-infiltration obstacle system have enhanced the ability to detect and intercept terrorists attempting to infiltrate. The minister said 84 army personnel have suffered fatal battle causalities in 2017 while the number of army men killed in accidents and other reasons was 1,131. According to statistics given by her, a total of 47,499 army personnel were granted premature retirement since 2014 while the number in the Navy was 465 and in IAF, it was 553. The total comes to 48,517 personnel.
'Testing infra, R&D will spur domestic mfg of body armours'
A government committee formed to prepare a roadmap to boost domestic manufacturing of lightweight body armours for the armed forces has pitched for measures like creating more testing facilities and pursuing R&D in nano technology, Parliament was informed today. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has accepted the recommendations, Minister of State for Planning Rao Inderjit Singh said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha. The committee, which was was set up under the chairmanship of Niti Aayog member V K Saraswat, held multiple meetings and discussed the status of capabilities, strengths and weakness of the body armours manufacturing industry, the minister said. "The Committee submitted its report titled 'Roadmap for Make in India in Body Armour' to the Prime Minister's Office on August, 2017 wherein a number of recommendations were made. "Major recommendations were made...such as promotion of indigenous manufacturing of body armours including raw ...
Caste riots: Students protest outside Maharashtra Sadan
Leftist student groups staged a demonstration outside Maharashtra Sadan here on Wednesday, demanding action against two local leaders for instigating the Bhima-Koregaon riots in Pune city in which a man was killed and many shops and vehicles were vandalised.
Norway suspends weapons sales to UAE over Yemen war
The Norwegian government on Wednesday announced that it would no longer be selling arms to the UAE as they were possibly being used in the war in Yemen.
Bhima-Koregaon violence: Maha govt to review CCTV footage
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said the state government would conduct an enquiry into the Bhima-Koregaon violence by viewing the CCTV footage.Speaking to the media here, the chief minister said, "An enquiry will be conducted in the incidents of violence that took place across Maharashtra. We are monitoring the CCTV footage of the violence."Fadnavis had, earlier, ordered a Crime Investigation Department (CID)-led probe into the death of a youth in the violence. He also announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the victim's kin.Tension gripped many parts of Maharashtra after the youth's death on Monday during an event to mark 200 years of Bhima Koregaon battle near Pune.In the aftermath, a day-long 'Maharashtra bandh' was called by various Dalit and other organisations.The bandh was, however, called off later in the day, Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar announced.The Battle of Koregaon was fought on January 1, 1818 between the British East ..
Dalit leader calls off Maharashtra bandh
Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar on Wednesday withdrew the bandh called in Maharashtra to protest the state government's failure in stopping the violence that broke out in Bhima Koregaon in Pune.Speaking to ANI, the grandson of B R Ambedkar, Prakash said, "Today's bandh which was called upon by us has been withdrawn. On behalf of all the 250 organisations that we have in support, we are announcing that we are withdrawing this 'bandh' as people are extremely hurt by the communal tensions in the state".The protests were held in Nagpur, Pune and Baramati and incidents of road blockades, arson and stone-pelting were reported in Mumbai and neighbouring areas.He added that the way people had supported 'Maharashtra Bandh' in large numbers was appreciable."No case of vandalism was registered today in Mumbai. I want to congratulate the protestors as they kept their calm even at a time when the emotions were very high. The police are taking combing operations in Aurangabad ...
Afghan intelligence agency dismantles large IS cell
Afghanistan has successfully dismantled a large Islamic State terror organization cell operating here, the country's intelligence agency said on Wednesday.
US airstrike in Somalia destroys vehicle carrying explosives
The US military says it has carried out a drone strike in Somalia that killed two al-Shabab extremists and destroyed a vehicle carrying explosives, "preventing it from being used against the people in Mogadishu." The US Africa Command statement says the airstrike occurred early yesterday about 50 kilometres west of the capital. It says no civilians were killed. Mogadishu is frequently targeted by the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab. The extremist group was blamed for the October truck bombing that killed 512 people in the capital. The US military carried out more than 30 drone strikes last year against al-Shabab and fighters linked to the Islamic State group after the Trump administration approved expanded operations in the Horn of Africa nation. This is the first drone strike this year in Somalia.
Trader escapes grenade attack in Imphal
A trader dealing in cement escaped unhurt on Wednesday when unidentified persons hurled a grenade at his shop at Khurai in Imphal East district.
Govt sanctions CISF cover for Shirdi airport; induction soon
The government today sanctioned an armed cover of over 180 CISF personnel to guard the international airport in Maharashtra's temple town of Shirdi, which is frequented by lakhs of Sai Baba devotees every year. The Union Home Ministry cleared the proposal to deploy the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the facility which was inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind on October 1 last year. This will be the 60th airport in the country that will come under the security cover of the CISF, the paramilitary force tasked with securing civilian airports in the country. "We have received the government sanction and the force will shortly takeover full security duties at the Shirdi airport," CISF Director General O P Singh told PTI. The force, along with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and the airport operator, has conducted a security survey of the facility in the last few months. Officials said a contingent of 185 CISF personnel, both men and women, will be
10 killed in Nigeria mosque attack
A teenage male suicide bomber exploded himself in a mosque in Nigeria's Gamboru town on Wednesday, killing 10 people including his biological father, officials said.
Seven Naxals held in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district
Seven Naxals were today arrested in Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Sukma district, police said. A joint team of police's Special Task Force (STF), District Reserve Guard (DRG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and CoBRA (CRPF's elite unit) nabbed the rebels under the jurisdiction of Bhejji police station, Deputy Inspector General of Police (south Bastar range) Sundarraj P told PTI. The arrested Naxals were identified as Kunjam Joga (30), Muchaki Hadma (20), Madvi Deva (25), Muchaki Payka (27), Kuhrami Sukka (21), Madkam Kosa (45) and Madkam Hunga (41), he said. They were active as members of the Dandakaranya Adivasi Kisan Majdoor Sangthan (DAKMS), a front organisation of the Naxals, he said. They were involved in an attack on a police team in Gacchanpalli forest in July last year, the DIG said. They were also wanted in connection with torching of a car and a motorcycle near Chikhalguda last month, he said.
Kharge blames RSS for Pune violence, demands PM to speak
Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday blamed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for Bhima-Khoregaon violence in Pune and demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on it.Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha in which a youth has been killed, the Leader of Opposition Kharge said, "In order to create rift in the society, radical Hindus belonging to the RSS are behind the violence in Bhima-Khoregaon".He also demanded Prime Minister Modi to make a statement on the incident and said he can't keep a mum."A Supreme Court judge should be appointed for inquiry in Bhima-Koregaon Violence. The Prime Minister should also give a statement, he can't stay mum. He is a Mauni baba (a saint who doesn't speak) on such issues," Kharge said.Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered the Crime Investigation Department (CID) led probe into the death of a youth in the violence.The chief minister also announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the victim's kin.On Tuesday, ...
Maharashtra bandh: Train services resume on Western line
All train lines which were blocked by the protesters, have been evacuated and operations have resumed, informed the Western Railways."Both up & down lines, which were blocked by the protestors from 12.05 hrs have been evacuated at 12.24 hrs and train operations have resumed. Trains are delayed due to it. @drmbct @rpfwrbct," Western Railways tweeted.Meanwhile, the remaining suburban services of AC local have been cancelled today, in view of safety."Remaining services of AC local suspended for the day in view of protests. Other suburban services are being run amid intermittent protests at Elphinstone Rd, Goregaon, Dadar, Malad. There is no cancellation of long distance trains," it added.Agitated dalit protestors hit the street in several districts of the state, creating much tension in the area. Large numbers of protesters occupied the railway tracks at Nallasopara Station, disrupting the normal rail traffic.Apart from this, commuters have been left stranded due to lack of mode of ..
Indonesia launches cyber agency to tackle extremism, fake news
Indonesia launched a new cyber security agency today as the world's biggest Muslim majority country moves to tackle online religious extremism and a flood of fake news on social media. Millions of Indonesians are going online for the first time just as concern about Internet hoaxes reaches a fevered pitch. One of the most high-profile cases in recent times was a false claim circulating on social media in December that Beijing was seeking to wage biological warfare against Indonesia. The viral hoax prompted the Chinese embassy to issue a statement saying that the reports were "misleading". Today, Indonesian president Joko Widodo named Major General Djoko Setiadi, former chairman of the country's encryption agency, to lead the new body. Setiadi's Herculean task will include cracking down on terrorist networks which communicate online and combating online hate speech that has been blamed for driving fundamentalism in a country once praised for its religious pluralism. "We .
Injured CRPF jawan dies
A CRPF jawan succumbed to injuries received in a gunbattle with Maoists in this naxal-infested district, police said today. Ashish Patra (28), of 205 Cobra Battalion succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Ranchi late last night, hours after he was critically injured in the encounter with Maoists at Chakarbandha forest under Madanpur police station area, Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Aurangabad, P N Sahoo said. He said a CRPF party was patrolling the area when Maoists, who were hiding in the forests, opened fire which was retaliated by the security personnel. A grievously wounded Patra, who had received bullet injury in his head, was flown to Ranchi for treatment, where he breathed his last, the SDPO said. Search operation was being carried out jointly by the district police and the Cobra Batallion to nab the Maoists.
Notorious criminal killed in encounter in Uttar Pradesh
A notorious criminal, carrying a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head, was killed in an encounter with the police near Jandhedi village in Shamli district, police said today. Sabir was killed last night and two police officials -- station house officer Bhagat Singh and constable Ankit Tomer, were also injured in the firing, circle officer Rajesh Kumar Tiwari said. One pistol and large quantity of cartridges was seized from his possession, he said. Tiwari said that the police had arrested Sabir with gangster Mukeem Kalya on October 20, 2015. Later, Sabir escaped from police custody. Uttar Pradesh Police had announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh on him. He was wanted in more than two dozen cases of murder, loot and extortion in the area, the official said.
Man held while moving suspiciously near Air Force station
The Thane police in Maharashtra have arrested a man hailing from Jammu & Kashmir after he was found moving in a suspicious manner near the Air Force Station in the city. Shoukath Ahmed Kasam Katanan Sayyed (35) was spotted moving near the boundary wall of the Air Force station in Kolshet here, a restricted area, yesterday morning. Sayyed, who hails from Srinagar, was booked under section 447 (criminal trespass) of the IPC, said police spokesperson Sukhada Narkar. However, his appearance was bedraggled, and he seemed to be mentally unsound, a source in the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) said. ATS officials were also questioning him, the source said.
Al-Shabab extremists execute 5 alleged spies in Somalia
The Somalia-based al-Shabab extremist group says it has executed five men accused of spying for the Kenyan, Ethiopian and Somali governments. Al-Shabab announced the killings on its Andalus radio station, saying they were carried out in a public square in Kuntuwarey town in Lower Shabelle region late last night. Witnesses say the men were tied to poles and shot dead by masked gunmen after a self-proclaimed judge read out their verdict in front of a crowd at the execution ground. Al-Shabab, al-Qaida's East African affiliate, has fought for years to impose a strict version of Islam in the Horn of Africa nation. Despite losing territory in recent years, the group continues to carry out lethal attacks in many parts of the country, especially Mogadishu. An October bombing there killed 512 people.
Over 445,000 Afghans displaced by conflict in 2017
More than 445,000 Afghans were displaced in 2017 by conflicts and the dragging insurgency, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Wednesday.