Page 841 - War Conflict
Grieving Pakistani Christians mark Christmas days after IS
Pakistan deployed commandos inside and around a church in the southwestern city of Quetta today as its grieving but defiant congregation marked Christmas days after they were targeted in a deadly Islamic State-claimed attack. Snipers were positioned on top of the church, as survivors spoke of their lost loved ones and called for the congregation to be armed at a quiet, sombre service. One injured survivor burst into tears while approaching the altar to receive Communion, with other members of the congregation weeping as they watched. "It is normally a joyful day, but it is painful... for all of us that attended the service while remembering the day of attack, as well as our near and dear," said one young worshipper, Aftab. The suicide bomb attack last Sunday killed nine people and wounded 30 during a service at the Methodist church in Quetta, capital of restive Balochistan province. Officials have said police intercepted and shot dead one attacker outside the church ...
Russian Orthodox patriarch announces prisoner swap deal in Ukraine
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church on Monday announced that a deal had been struck for a prisoner exchange between Ukrainian authorities and the self-proclaimed popular republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in the east of the country.
Amethi: Four arrested for looting trader
Four persons allegedly involved in looting a trader on December 1 last year in this district were arrested today, police said. According to Amethi Additional SP BC Dubey, the arrested accused had looted trader Ashutosh Agrawal, a Gauriganj resident. "The accused were arrested near Neta crossing in Gauriganj. They were identified as Shubham Tiwari, Dinesh Yadav, Umesh Singh, and Anand Kumar," ASP Dubey said. A .32 bore pistol, three country-made pistols, five live cartridges , three cell phones and Rs 10,900 in cash have been recovered from their possession.
Russia to lift ban on tea imports from Sri Lanka
Russia agreed to lift the restriction on the imports of agriculture products, including tea, from Sri Lanka from December 30, a Sri Lankan Minister here said on Monday.
Dozens killed in fresh Yemen air strikes, clashes
Fresh air strikes and clashes in Yemen have killed over 60 fighters as Saudi-backed pro-government forces push an offensive against Huthi rebels, security and medical sources said today. Saudi-led coalition air raids overnight killed at least 18 of the Iran-backed rebels in Hais, south of the key port of Hodeida, while bombardments from gunships left 35 others dead in nearby Tahita, a security official told AFP. The latest fighting killed 12 government troops and wounded 19 more, military and medical sources said. On the outskirts of the capital Sanaa, a witness told AFP that seven members of the same family including women and children were killed by a coalition air strike today. Government troops and coalition forces have been advancing along the Red Sea coast, seizing the town of Khokha earlier this month. The stated goal is to reach Hodeida, Yemen's second largest port and a key entry point for aid to the country, which the UN has warned faces "the largest famine the .
Tunisia says UAE attack fears behind female flyer row
Controversial security measures taken by the United Arab Emirates against Tunisian women trying to travel to the Gulf state were prompted by fears of a terrorist attack, Tunisia said today. Since Friday Tunisian women and girls have been delayed for hours as they look to board planes for the UAE, sparking outcry in the North African nation that led to the suspension of Emirates airline flights to Tunis. "The UAE authorities have serious security information about the possibility of terrorist attacks," Tunisian presidency spokeswoman Saida Garrach told Shems FM radio. The information indicates that with jihadists returning from Syria and Iraq, there is "a possibility of a terrorist attack involving either Tunisian women or women carrying a Tunisian passport," Garrach said, suggesting that they could be using false identities. UAE carrier Emirates has received "clear instructions" to deny Tunisian women access to its planes, she added. Passengers said the only explanation ..
Rohingyas to return to Myanmar soon: Bangladesh Minister
Bangladesh Health Minister Mohammed Nasim has said that Rohingya refugees will return to their homeland as soon as the international community and the UN pressurise Myanmar into repatriating them."Bangladesh government has an extremely tolerant approach towards Rohingyas and we are also working to implement the Rohingya Repatriation deal," Dhaka Times quoted Health Minister Mohammed Nasim as saying at a grants distribution program in Cox's Bazar on Monday.Lauding the efforts of the locals of Cox's Bazar for their unimaginable support towards Rohingyas, Nasim claimed that not a single Rohingya died without a treatment on Bangladesh soil.Myanmar and Bangladesh had earlier this month formed Joint Working Group (JWG) to handle the repatriation of Rohingya refugees.The crucial JWG with 15 each from Bangladesh and Myanmar will oversee the repatriation of over 600,000 Rohingya refugees who have taken shelter in Bangladesh to escape ethnic violence in the latter.Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul .
Punjab: BSF recovers 12.5-kg heroin
The Border Security Force (BSF) on Monday recovered 12.5 kg heroin from the Amritsar sector along the India-Pakistan border.Addressing the media, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, JS Oberoi, said that the BSF was maintaining high alert along the border.Earlier this month, the BSF seized 55 packets (approx 55 kg) of contraband, suspected to be heroin, at the Border Outpost area in Punjab's Gurdaspur.Troops involved in the operation reported there were three intruders with some head-load, two pistols and a plastic pipe.
Bahrain sentences six to death for 'assassination plot'
Bahrain's top military court sentenced six men to death today after convicting them of charges including plotting to assassinate the Gulf state's armed forces chief, state media reported. It was the first official mention of any plot against the life of Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, who is a member of the ruling family, but the Bahrain News Agency gave no further details of when or where it was alleged to have taken place. Tiny but strategic Bahrain has been gripped by unrest for years as its Sunni royal family has resisted demands from its Shiite majority for a constitutional monarchy with an elected prime minister. A judicial source told AFP that all six of those sentenced to death today were Shiites. BNA said that one of them was a serving soldier before his arrest and that all six were also stripped of their citizenship. The court sentenced seven other defendants to seven-year jail terms and deprived them too of their citizenship. Five men were .
J-K govt seeking explanation from IPS officer for militancy
The Jammu and Kashmir government is seeking an explanation from a young IPS officer for his recent speech in which he reportedly termed the killing of Kashmiri militants "our collective failure", DGP S P Vaid said today. At an event to mark the ninth anniversary of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, SSP Shailendra Kumar Mishra, who is posted as Commandant, Second Battalion, Indian Reserve Police (IRP), had reportedly questioned the success of the operation the Indian Army has been conducting against militants in Kashmir. "We have received a communication from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the state government will ask for his explanation," DGP Vaid told reporters here. SSP Mishra had expressed regret over the killing of militants in the Valley, during the event in Mumbai earlier this month. "Please do not rejoice at the killing of militants. These killings are a symbol of our defeat, our collective failure," he had said. "In J&K, some of our youth have complaints with the ..
Identify freedom fighters since 1857, assist their kin: BJP MP
A BJP Lok Sabha member has urged the Centre to identify those who fought for the country's Independence since 1857, and give their family members monetary and other government benefits. Sharad Tripathi, an MP from Uttar Pradesh, said many of those who fought against the British rule in 1857, recognised by many as the country's first war of Independence, are not known much among the masses. "I believe that India's fight for Independence began in 1857 leading to the freedom in 1947. The government should do a study and recognise such heroes as martyrs. Their family members should be given benefits," he told PTI. Earlier this year in Parliament, Tripathi had demanded that a martyrs gate be built in the national capital in the honour of freedom fighters who laid down their lives between 1857 and 1947. A list containing the names of such freedom fighters should be released by the government as currently, there is no such authentic record, he said. While the names of Indian ...
Ukraine, separatist rebels agree on major prisoner exchange
Ukrainian authorities and separatist rebels have agreed on a major prisoner exchange. Separatist leaders and a Ukrainian government representative said in televised comments today that they would exchange prisoners on Wednesday. They spoke after a meeting in Moscow mediated by the head of the Russian Orthodox Church. Kiev representative Viktor Medvedchuk says Ukraine is ready to release 306 people and is hoping for the separatists to release 74 people. It is not immediately clear if this covers all prisoners of war. A simmering conflict in eastern Ukraine between Russia- backed separatists and government troops has killed more than 10,000 since 2014. A truce signed in 2015 stipulated an exchange of all prisoners but both sides are believed to keep dozens, if not hundreds, captive and use them as bargaining tools.
Saudi police find body of kidnapped Shiite judge
Saudi police have recovered the body of a kidnapped pro-government Shiite judge after a shootout in which a policeman and a suspected militant were killed, the interior ministry said today. The remains of Judge Mohammed al-Jirani were found on a farm in the town of Awamiya in the kingdom's Eastern Province, which has been a hotbed of protests among the Shiite minority for years. The raid took place last Tuesday and subsequent DNA tests confirmed that a body recovered was that of Sheikh Jirani, a ministry spokesman told the official Saudi Press Agency. The ministry named the slain suspect as Salman al-Faraj, adding that he was wanted on suspicion of terrorism offences. Sheikh Jirani was kidnapped in December 2016 in front of his Awamiya home. The authorities said at the time that they had arrested three suspects. Considered close to the authorities, the judge had been the target of several attacks before his abduction. In 2011, his house and car were set on fire and members
Six killed in IS-claimed suicide attack near Afghan spy agency
A suicide bomber killed six civilians in an attack near an Afghan intelligence agency compound in Kabul today in the latest assault claimed by the Islamic State group in the capital. The attacker struck as workers were arriving at the offices of the National Directorate of Security (NDS), a week after militants stormed an NDS training centre in Kabul. Interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish told AFP six civilians in a car were killed when the attacker blew himself up. "Six people were martyred and three others were wounded," Danish said. "They were hit when they were passing the area in their Toyota sedan vehicle. We still do not know the target of the attack but it happened on the main road." The health ministry confirmed the death toll but put the number of wounded at one. An AFP reporter at the blast site said the attack happened outside the main entrance to an NDS compound. Security forces have swarmed into the area, closing off the main road leading to the ...
IS claims responsibility for Kabul suicide attack
The dreaded terrorist group, Islamic State (IS), has confirmed that it had carried out the suicide attack that struck the Afghan capital on Monday morning.This was confirmed in a statement issued by the group's Amaq news agency, The Guardian reported.Local authorities have also confirmed that six people were killed in the blast that took place near the National Directorate of Security (NDS), an Afghan intelligence agency, located in Shash Darak area of Kabul.In recent times, IS has claimed responsibility for various attacks in Afghanistan, since their establishment in the country in 2015.
Jadhav's family reaches Islamabad to meet him: media
Indian death row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife and mother today arrived here for a meeting with him at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, officials said. TV footage showed a convoy of around seven vehicles escorting Jadhav's family in the city. A Foreign Office spokesperson said Jadhav's family first went to the Indian High Commission. After spending some time there, the family will leave for Ministry of Foreign Affairs to meet Jadhav. The Foreign Office said the meeting will last for about 30 minutes. The two women arrived in the capital via Dubai in a commercial flight and are expected to leave soon after the meeting where they will be accompanied by Indian Deputy High Commissioner J P Singh. In addition to the Indian envoy, a couple of Foreign Office officials will also be present during the meeting, according to sources at the Foreign Office. Strict security measures are in place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), officials said. Police and paramilitary ...
Jadhav's mother, wife reach Islamabad
The mother and the wife of former Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav have reached the Pakistani capital, in order to meet him later in the day.They arrived in an unnamed commercial flight and are scheduled to leave later in the evening.The meeting will last between 15 minutes to an hour, and the two women will be allowed to speak to media if they wish to, the Dawn said, citing diplomatic sources.Pakistan had agreed earlier to facilitate the visit of Jadhav's kin and also assured their safety, security, and freedom of movement in the nation.Subsequently, on December 20, Pakistan issued visas to Jadhav's mother and wife to meet him on humanitarian grounds.Pakistan has repeatedly rejected India's plea for consular access to Jadhav at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), alleging he was not an ordinary person and had entered the country with an intent of spying and carrying out sabotage activities.On December 13, Pakistan submitted its reply to the International Court of Justice .
Eight killed in Kabul suicide bombing
Eight people were killed and two injured on Monday in a suicide bomb attack near Afghanistan's intelligence agency here, officials said.
Pak tightens security ahead of Jadhav's meeting with family
Pakistani authorities said today they have deployed sharpshooters at the foreign ministry's office where Indian death row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav will meet his wife and mother. Jadhav, 47, would be meeting his family today at the foreign office in Islamabad. The exact time of the meeting is not immediately known but officials said it would be around midday or early afternoon. The duration has also not been confirmed but it may last for an hour, according to sources in the Foreign Office. Jadhav's family is flying to Islamabad via the UAE. Strict security measures have been taken on the occasion of Jadhav meeting his family at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), officials said. Police and paramilitary security forces including sharpshooters have been deployed at the MOFA to deal with any untoward security situation, they said. Roads leading to the Constitution Avenue, on which MOFA is located, have been closed for traffic. Special security passes have been issued ...
Six dead in suicide attack near Afghan spy agency: officials
A suicide attacker on foot blew himself up near a compound belonging to the Afghan intelligence agency in Kabul today, killing six civilians, officials said. The attacker struck at a time when workers were arriving at their offices. It comes a week after militants stormed a National Directorate of Security (NDS) training centre in the Afghan capital. Interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish told AFP six civilians in a car were killed when the attacker detonated himself. "Six people were martyred and three others were wounded," Danish said. "They were hit when they were passing the area in their Toyota sedan vehicle. We still do not know the target of the attack but it happened on the main road." The health ministry confirmed the death toll but put the number of wounded at one. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest attack in Kabul which in recent months has become one of the deadliest places in the war-torn country for civilians. An AFP reporter at