Page 847 - War Conflict
India, US discuss designation of terrorists
India and the US on Tuesday discussed procedures for pursuing designations against terrorist groups and individuals through domestic and international mechanisms.
Rubber bullets are not safe: study
About three in every 100 people injured by rubber bullets died as a result, according to a review of recorded casualties published today, calling for alternative crowd control measures. A team of US-based researchers looked at 26 scientific reports published on injury, disability and death caused by rubber bullets between 1990 and 2017 in Israel and the Palestinian territories, the United States, India, Northern Ireland, Switzerland, Turkey, and Nepal. A total of 1984 people were injured, they found, of whom 53 (three per cent) died. "Some 300 (15.5 per cent) of all survivors were left with permanent disability as a direct result of the rubber bullet impact they sustained -- usually to the head and neck," the team said in statement. "Blindness, and removal of the spleen, or a section of the bowel as a result of abdominal injuries, accounted for most of this disability." Also known as kinetic impact projectiles (KIPs) or rubber baton rounds, rubber or plastic bullets were
Omar condemns killing of civilian woman in encounter
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah today condemned the killing of a woman during an encounter with security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir. Extending his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, Omar prayed for peace to the departed soul. The former chief ministersaid he stood in solidarity with the family in their moment of inconsolable loss and bereavement. During an overnight encounter, two militants were killed by the security forces while Ruby Jan alias Beauty was injured during the exchange of fire. Beauty was rushed to a hospital where she succumbed to injuries.
India-US hold first meet on designations of terrorists, groups
India and the US today concluded their first dialogue on designations of terrorist groups and individuals through domestic and international mechanisms. The establishment of the 'India-US designations dialogue' mechanism reflected shared Indian and American commitments to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats, the ministry of external affairs said here at the end of the two-day meet. Joint Secretary in-charge of Americas division in the MEA Munu Mahawar and senior officials from other ministries, including the home ministry, participated in the meet. From the US side, officials from the homeland security were present. The dialogue was held to discuss increasing bilateral cooperation on terrorism-related designations, the ministry said in a statement. "The Indian and US delegations exchanged information on procedures for pursuing designations against terrorist groups and individuals, through domestic and international mechanisms. They also discussed best ...
Bangladesh, Myanmar form working group for Rohingyas' repatriation
Bangladesh and Myanmar on Tuesday formed a joint working group and signed an agreement detailing the terms of its mandate to begin repatriation of the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who escaped a military offensive in Rakhine state.
UN slams 'shocking' killing of disabled Palestinian protester
The UN's human rights chief said today he was "truly shocked" by Israeli troops' killing of a wheelchair-bound Palestinian protester in Gaza, and demanded an "independent and impartial investigation". Ibrahim Abu Thurayeh, a 29-year-old who lost his legs after an Israeli attack a decade ago, was among five Palestinians killed on Friday during protests against US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. In a statement, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein slammed Trump's decision as "dangerously provocative" and blamed it for the violence. The UN human rights office said Abu Thurayeh was among hundreds of Palestinians who marched across farmland towards the fence separating Gaza from Israel, and appeared to have been shot in the head when he was 20 metres (yards) from the barrier. "The facts gathered so far by my staff in Gaza strongly suggest that the force used against Ibrahim Abu Thurayeh was excessive,"
UN to pursue rebels who killed 15 peacekeepers in Congo
The United Nations peacekeeping chief says the UN mission in Congo will pursue the Allied Democratic Forces rebels who killed 15 peacekeepers there earlier this month. Jean-Pierre Lacroix made the announcement today while visiting eastern Congo. He told peacekeepers that the UN will protect them and seek justice. He said peacekeepers will reinforce their presence and weaponry in Semuliki to neutralise rebel groups in the region. The December 7 attack was the deadliest single assault on a UN peacekeeping mission in nearly 25 years, killing 15 Tanzanian peacekeepers and at least five Congolese soldiers. Uganda and Congo launched a joint military operation last week against the ADF rebels. Human Rights Watch says the rebel group has killed more than 1,000 people in eastern Congo since October 2014.
British police arrest 4 suspects in anti-terror raids
In a series of pre-dawn raids, four people were today arrested by the British counter-terror police on the suspicion of plotting terrorist attacksin the country, police said. Three of them, aged 22, 36 and 41, were arrested by counter-terrorism officers in Sheffield while the fourth man, aged 31, was arrested in Chesterfield in an operationled by the North East Counter Terrorism Unit. An army bomb disposal team was later called in at a house in Chesterfield in Derbyshire. A cordon has been set up and nearby homes are being evacuated at the site in central Chesterfield, police said. "The arrests were intelligence led and pre-planned as part of an ongoing investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North East," a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said. "We recognise that local people may have concerns as a result of this activity. We would ask people to remain alert but not alarmed and we are grateful for the assistance and understanding of people locally," he added. All ..
B'desh, Myanmar form joint group to repatriate Rohingyas
Bangladesh and Myanmar today formed a 30-member joint panel to oversee repatriation of Rohingya refugees within two months, despite rights groups warning that their safety is not assured in the Buddhist majority country. "Now, we will start the next step of our work," Bangladesh Foreign Minister A H Mahmood Ali told reporters. In a statement, Bangladesh foreign office said that the working group will develop physical arrangements for the refugees' return, including mechanisms for verification, time schedule, transport and logistical arrangements, reception procedures and communication. It said the working group would "ensure commencement of repatriation within two months". The joint working group "shall involve assistance of the UNHCR and other mandated UN agencies and interested international partners in various stages of repatriation". It would comprise equal number of representatives from each side to undertake "all necessary measures to start the safe and voluntary ...
136 killed in Saudi-led strikes on Yemen in just 10 days: UN
At least 136 civilians have been killed over 10 days of Saudi-led air strikes on Yemen this month, the United Nations said today, with the organisation's human rights chief decrying an "inferno" on the ground. The UN human rights office said it had tallied 136 civilians killed and another 87 injured in the strikes on Sanaa, Saada, Al Hudaydah, Marib and Taez governorates between December 6 and 16. "We are deeply concerned by the recent surge in civilian casualties in Yemen as a result of intensified air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition," spokesman Rupert Colville told reporters in Geneva. A Saudi-led coalition has been waging an air campaign against Huthi rebels since March 2015 in an attempt to shore up the internationally recognised government of Abedrabbo Mansur Hadi. More than 8,750 people have been killed in the conflict since the intervention in the impoverished Arabian Peninsula country, where more than 2,000 people have also died of cholera this year. The air
Militants killed in Kashmir gunfight involved in killing of 2 bank guards
Police said on Tuesday that the two militants killed in a gunfight with the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district were responsible for the murder of two bank guards on December 11.
Two Jaish operatives killed; Woman dies in crossfire
Two Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists were gunned down by security forces in an overnight encounter in the Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir while a woman also died after getting hit in the crossfire, police said today. According to a police spokesperson, the slain militants were involved in several terror incidents including an attack on the vehicle of Jammu and Kashmir Bank near Poju in Shopian on December 11 in which two guards were killed. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Wanipora area of Shopian last evening following information about the presence of militants in the area, a police official said. The search operation turned into an encounter as militants opened fire, he added. "Two militants were killed while a third apparently managed to escape from the spot," the official said. He said that a lady was injured during the exchange of fire. She was shifted to a hospital but succumbed to her injuries. Some miscreants pelted stones at ...
Gunmen loot Rs 4.61 lakh Bihar Grameen Bank branch
A gang of five men today looted Rs 4.61 lakh at gunpoint from a Bihar Grameen Bank branch in Jamui district, police said. The gunmen held the bank staff captive at gunpoint and decamped with Rs 4.61 lakh, including Rs 52,000 snatched from customers present at the branch, Chakai police station Officer-in-Charge Rohit Gupta said. The branch manager, Rakesh Kumar, has lodged an FIR in this regard. Police have begun an investigation, Gupta said.
Terrorist, civilian casualties this yr highest in last 4 yrs
As many as 203 terrorists, the highest in the last four years, were killed by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir this year and the number of civilians killed in terror-related violence in the period was also the highest, the Centre informed Parliament today. Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha 203 terrorists were killed in the state this year till December 10, as compared to 150 in calendar year 2016, 108 in 2015 and 110 in 2014. Talking about the number of civilians killed in terror- related violence in the state, the minister said while 37 of them were killed till December 10 this year, 15 were killed in calendar year 2016, 17 in 2015 and 28 in 2014. Terror-related incidents in the state till December 10 this year were also the highest at 335 as compared to 322 in calendar year 2016, 208 in 2015 and 222 in 2014, he added. According to the data provided by the minister, while 75 security personnel were killed .
British police arrest four suspects in anti-terror raids
British counter-terror officers today arrested four persons on suspicion of plotting terror attacks in the UK, officials said. Three of them, aged 22, 36 and 41, were arrested from Sheffield and the fourth man, aged 31, from Chesterfield by counter-terrorism officers in an operation led by the North East counter-terrorism unit. "The arrests were intelligence-led and pre-planned as part of an ongoing investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North East," a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said. "We recognise that local people may have concerns as a result of this activity. We would ask people to remain alert but not alarmed and we are grateful for the assistance and understanding of people locally," he said. All four men have been detained on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism under the UK's Terrorism Act 2000. The men were being questioned at a police station in West Yorkshire while property searches where ..
Afghanistan welcomes Trump's new security strategy
The Government of Afghanistan has welcomed President Donald Trump's new national security strategy, describing it as being in line with Afghanistan's shared objective against terrorism.President Trump's new national security strategy affirms the enduring US-Afghanistan strategic partnership, President Ashraf Ghani's Office said in a statement on Tuesday."The national security strategy and the US South Asia strategy are the cornerstones upon which our shared efforts to defeat terrorism and bring stability to Afghanistan are built. Our partnership, which reflects a renewed US commitment, will set the conditions to end the war and finally bringing peace to Afghanistan," the statement said."We welcome that the strategy aims to strengthen peace and stability in the region especially through diplomatic means," it added.Tolo News quoted the statement, as saying that the National Unity Government is committed to the principle of mutual respect and cooperation among states in the region."We ...
Bangladesh, Myanmar form joint panel for Rohingya repatriation
Myanmar and Bangladesh on Tuesday 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 Huq will head the JWG from the Bangladesh side while the Myanmar side will be headed by Permanent Secretary at Myanmar Foreign Ministry Myint Thu.The Daily Star quoted sources as saying that the repatriation was likely to begin from February next year.As per an initial agreement, signed on November 23, the two countries were supposed to form the JWG within three weeks. But they failed to set it up by the December-14 deadline due to procedural complexities.More than 655,000 Rohingyas have crossed into Bangladesh since August 25, escaping a military crackdown in Rakhine state, which many countries and human rights bodies have described as ethnic ...
Maoists kill tribal youth in Malkangiri
Maoists killed a tribal youth in Odisha's Malkangiri district suspecting him to be a police informer, police said today. The armed rebels barged into 22-year-old Muya Kabasi's house at Jandraguda village under the jurisdiction of Mathili police station area yesterday night, dragged him out and beat him to death, the police said. The victim's body was recovered today, they said. The Border Security Force (BSF) and the police have started combing operation in the area, said Superintendent of Police of Malkangiri district Jagmohan Meena. The Maoists left a poster near the body threatening the villagers of similar consequences if they work for the police. The rebels had killed another person on December 9 in Chitrakonda area of the district suspecting him to be a police informer.
190 CAPF, Assam Rifles personnel killed in last 3 years: Govt
Total 190 paramilitary personnel, including 99 of the CRPF, have been killed in action during the last three years, the government informed Parliament today. Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, presented data about the total number of security personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the Assam Rifles being killed while performing their duties during the last three years. According to the data, a total of 190 personnel were killed that included 99 from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 45 from the Border Security Force (BSF), 41 from the Assam Rifles, four of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and one from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force. Rijiju said these forces "have reported a total of 20 cases where compassionate appointments (of government job) were given during the period (last three years)". "Forces have reported 13 cases pending or under process (for providing compensation) due to .
Four injured in Dera Ismail Khan blast
At least four people, including three security forces personnel, were injured in a remote controlled blast in Dera Ismail Khan on Tuesday morning, Geo News reported.According to police sources, the blast took place near Loni check post in Dera Ismail Khan. Further details are awaited.