Page 849 - War Conflict
Maoists set 10 vehicles on fire at road construction site
Armed ultras stormed a road construction site and set ablaze around 10 vehicles and machines in Odisha's Malkangiri district, police said today. The incident happened yesterday night at Andrahal near Bondaghati under the jurisdiction of Mudulipada police station, they said. The Maoists ransacked the construction camp, and set afire earth movers, tractors, vans, a roller and a mixer machine, a police officer said. A police team has been sent to the site to investigate the matter, Malkangiri Superintendent of Police (SP) Jagmohan Meena said. The Border Security Force (BSF) and the police have started a combing operation in the area, he said.
Myanmar burned Rohingya villages despite refugee deal: HRW
Myanmar's army burned down dozens of Rohingya homes within days of signing a refugee repatriation deal with Bangladesh, showing the agreement was a mere "public relations stunt", Human Rights Watch said today. The rights group, citing analysis of satellite imagery, said buildings in 40 villages were destroyed in October and November, increasing the total to 354 villages that had been partially or completely razed since last August. Dozens of buildings were burned the same week Myanmar and Bangladesh signed a memorandum of understanding on November 23 to begin returning refugees from Bangladesh within two months, HRW said in a report. "The Burmese army's destruction of Rohingya villages within days of signing a refugee repatriation agreement with Bangladesh shows that commitments to safe returns were just a public relations stunt," said Brad Adams, HRW's Asia director, in the report, adding safety pledges for returnees could not be taken seriously. Deadly attacks by ...
Militant attack ongoing at Kabul intelligence training centre:
Armed militants stormed an intelligence agency training facility in Kabul today, officials said, triggering intense fighting with police in the latest attack to hit the Afghan capital. "Around 10:10 am, a group of armed attackers entered an under-construction building in (the) NDS training centre in (the) Afshar area of Kabul," interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish told AFP, referring to the National Directorate of Security, Afghanistan's spy agency. "The fighting is ongoing and we have also launched our operation." There were no immediate reports of any casualties. Nasrat Rahim, a deputy interior ministry spokesman, said the sound of large and small arms fire could be heard from the fighting. Roads to the area were closed and dozens of police and intelligence officers were blocking access to the public. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. Previously both the Taliban and, increasingly, the Islamic State group have carried out devastating attacks in .
Militant hideout busted in J&K's Bandipora
Security forces today busted a militant hideout in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir and seized a cache of arms and ammunition. Acting on a tip off, security forces launched a search operation on the property, including a cowshed, of one Abdul Rehman Parray at Chandangeer in Bandipora and seized ammunition, including four grenades and a grenade launcher, a police official said. He said five AK magazines, 42 AK rounds, one GPS and two wireless sets were also found in the cowshed. The owners of the property had abandoned it following a gunfight there between militants and security forces.
Afghan official: Taliban kill police officer in province
An Afghan official says a Taliban attack has killed a police officer in western Badghis province. Gulam Haydar Sarwari, the province's deputy police chief, says the attack took place on Sunday night when insurgents targeted a police security post in the remote district of Ab Kamari. Sarwari says the clash lasted almost four hours before scores of the Taliban attackers were repelled. He says the slain officer was the district police commander. Three other policemen were wounded in the assault. There was no immediate claim of responsibility from the Taliban, who have been active in Badghis. The insurgents have stepped up their attacks against both the Afghan and coalition forces across the country.
Gabon arrests dozens in knife attack that wounded two Danes
Police in Gabon arrested dozens of people today over a knife attack that wounded two Danish nationals working for National Geographic, apparently in retribution for "US attacks against Muslims," officials said. The men detained were mostly traders and sellers in the popular market in Libreville where the attack occurred Saturday -- and all are from west Africa. An official said they were taken to police headquarters, where they are due to be questioned. "Operations are ongoing," government spokesman Alain- Claude Bilie By Nze told AFP. "We are not commenting at this stage." National Geographic confirmed that the targets of the attack were working for the organisation. "We are deeply saddened to confirm the reports that the two Danish nationals horrifically attacked in Gabon are members of the National Geographic family," it said in a statement. "We are in direct contact with the victims and the Danish production company with whom they were on assignment, and our main ...
Putin thanks Trump for help in foiling attack plot
Russian President Vladimir Putin has thanked his US counterpart Donald Trump for the CIA's help in foiling a plot to attack the city of Saint Petersburg, the Kremlin said today. Putin spoke by phone with Trump to thank him for intelligence supplied by the CIA which allowed Russia's FSB security service to break up an Islamic State group cell that was planning a suicide attack on December 16, it said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies. The FSB announced on Friday it had arrested seven members of a cell that had been planning a suicide attack and "the killing of citizens" in crowded areas of Russia's second city. Police confiscated a "large number of explosives used to make homemade bombs, automatic rifles, munitions and extremist literature," it said in a statement. On Tuesday, FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov said Russia was on alert for the possible return of jihadists from Syria ahead of the World Cup and the presidential election in 2018. Russia has suffered .
50 Chinese couples marry in Sri Lanka in mass ceremony
Clad in traditional Chinese, Western and Sri Lankan costumes, 50 Chinese couples were married at a mass ceremony in Sri Lanka's capital to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and to promote the island nation as a tourist destination. The ceremony in Colombo on Sunday was attended by Sri Lankan politicians and diplomats from both nations. A number of Chinese nationals attended as well. Soon after the couples arrived in decorated cars, the ceremony began with traditional Sri Lankan drummers and dancers blowing conch shells as a symbol of auspiciousness and performing a welcome dance. The couples exchanged rings and had their fingers tied together and water poured over them as a sign of unity and purity.
First ever ex-servicemen rally in Manipur
The first ever state level ex-servicemen rally in Manipur was organised by the army today to honour the veteran soldiers of the state and their respective families. The rally was held at the Leimakhong Military Station in Imphal West district. Veteran soldiers, widows of martyred soldiers and their dependents were given warm reception and felicitated with presentations and guided about the various facilities that can be availed from various departments. Chief Guest Lt Gen (Retd) K Himalaya Singh, told the gathering, that the main purpose of the rally is to ensure welfare for all ex-servicemen in the state and reminded them that the army cares for its veterans. He remarked the state has the highest per capita officer cadres in the country and highlighted the contribution the Indian Armed forces have made in nation building. A booklet on various welfare schemes under implementation by the government and the armed forces for the benefit of the ex-servicemen was also ...
Miscreants shoot man, loot Rs 2 lakh
Gunmen today shot at a man and looted Rs 2 lakh from him near Enai village in Bihar's Saran district, police said. The incident took place when Indal Singh, a businessman, was returning home when seven motorcycle-borne miscreants shot at him and decamped with the money, Bhagwan Bazaar police station SHO Surendra Kumar said. Singh has been admitted to Chapra sadar hospital, the SHO said, adding, search is on to nab the culprits.
9 killed, 44 injured in suicide attack on church in Pak
Two suicide bombers attacked a packed church during a Sunday service in the restive Pakistani city of Quetta, killing eight people and injuring 44 others in a targeted assault on the minority Christian community ahead of Christmas in the Muslim nation. The Islamic State (ISIS) terror group claimed responsibility for the attack. The groups Amaq News Agency posted a statement online, saying attackers had stormed the church in Quetta -- the capital of Balochistan province. But the terror group provided no evidence for the claim. Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti said that at least two suicide bombers were involved in the attack on the Bethel Memorial Church on Zarghoon road in Quetta. "One attacker was killed at the gate by police after an intense gunfight while the other wearing suicide vest entered the church and detonated his explosives," he said. Bugti said that the terrorists had weapons and it seems they wanted to take hostages inside the church. "The ...
IED found in Imphal West district
An improvised explosive device (IED) was recovered by police from a village in Imphal West district today. The local people found the IED at a spot near Konthoujam and Lainam village under Patsoi Police Station in district, a police officer said. The local people immediately informed the police. A combined team of police and army personnel rushed to the area and cordoned the place and safely removed the IED and took it for disposal, said the officer.
Eleven killed in attacks on police in Afghanistan
At least 11 Afghan police officers were killed today when Taliban fighters assaulted their checkpoints in volatile Helmand province in southern Afghanistan, authorities said. The assaults on two police post are the latest in a series of deadly attacks on Afghan security forces claimed by the Taliban. Taliban insurgents launched the attacks in the early morning in the Qalai Sang area of the provincial capital Lashkar Gah. "Our police fought them back, but unfortunately 11 of our police were martyred and two wounded," provincial governor Hayatullah Hayat told AFP, adding that the militants fled after the attack. Provincial police chief Ghafar Safi said 15 Taliban fighters were also killed during the skirmish. After 16 years of war the resurgent militants show no signs of fatigue, ramping up their campaign against beleaguered government forces, underscoring rising insecurity in the war-torn country. Afghan police and troops -- beset by a high death toll, desertions and ...
NIA lodges case against five 'ISIS sympathisers' from Kerala
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has lodged a case against five alleged ISIS sympathisers, hailing from Kerala's Kannur district, the agency said today. The central probe agency said it took over the case from the Kerala police, which had booked the five men in October. The NIA case against the five was registered under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)for "being members of the proscribed terrorist organisation, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)/Daesh, and for supporting the organisation by travelling out of India to join the terrorist organisation in Syria and fight on its behalf." The five accused are -- Midhilaj (26), Abdul Rasak (34), Rashid M V (24), Manaf Rahman (42) and Hamsa U K (57).
Civilian killed in Army-terrorists gunfight; police lodges FIR
A civilian was killed in an exchange of fire between Army personnel and terrorists in north Kashmirs Kupwara district, a defence spokesperson said today. Police said Asif Iqbal Bhat, a driver by profession and a resident of Thandipora, was injured in a firing incident in the Thandipora area of Kupwaralast night. He was taken to the Kralpora sub district hospital, from where he was referred to a hospital in Srinagar where he succumbed to injuries, they said. An FIR was registered at the Kralpora police station in connection with the incident and a probe was underway, a police spokesperson said. The body was handed over to the family for last rites after completion of medico-legal formalities. The police and civil administration will provide all help to the bereaved family, he said. Srinagar-based defence spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia said Bhat was killed in an exchange of fire between Army men and terrorists. "Based on information about the presence of terrorists in ...
Saudi-led coalition airstrike kills 10 women in Yemen
Witnesses and health officials say an airstrike by a Saudi-led coalition has struck a wedding procession east of Yemen's capital, killing 10 women. They say today's airstrike targeted the women as they marched to a village in Maarib province. They said the bride was among the women, but it was not immediately clear whether she was wounded. It's a tradition in rural Yemen for the bride's female friends and relatives to escort her to the wedding ceremony, where the groom awaits. The witnesses and officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they feared retaliation or were not authorized to brief the media. The US-backed coalition has been at war with Iranian- supported Shiite rebels since 2015. Its airstrikes have hit civilians on a number of occasions.
Taliban kill 11 Afghan police in attack on checkpoints
An Afghan official says Taliban insurgents have attacked checkpoints in the southern Helmand province, killing 11 police. Omar Zwak, the spokesman for the provincial governor, said Afghan forces eventually repelled the attack early Sunday in the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah. He said the insurgents also suffered casualties, without providing figures. The Taliban, who have a strong and growing presence in Helmand, claimed the attack. The insurgents launch near-daily attacks across the country, mainly targeting security forces.
8 killed, 44 injured in suicide attack on church in Pak
Heavily-armed terrorists attacked a church during a midday service today in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta, killing at least eight people and wounding 44 others including children and women. The attack on the Bethel Memorial Church on Zarghoon road in Balochistan capital came just over a week before Christmas. Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti said that at least two suicide bombers were involved in the attack on church. "One attacker was killed at the gate by police after an intense gunfight while the other wearing suicide vest entered the church and detonated his explosives," he said. Bugti said that the terrorists had weapons and it seems they wanted to take hostages inside the church. "The security forces foiled their plan," he added. Balochistan's Inspector General Moazzam Ansari said there were 400 worshippers inside the church when it was attacked. Ansari said that police assigned to the church's security reacted in a timely manner and averted a .
Lankan fisherman rescued, another missing
A 37-year-old Sri Lankan fisherman, found struggling in mid-sea after straying into Indian waters, was rescued by the Indian fishermen today and handed over to the Tamil Nadu Marine Coastal Group Police here. Police said Maria Dasan from Pesalai in Mannar district was caught in the rough sea and strayed into Indian waters in his boat off the coast here. He was struggling in the sea when the fishermen rescued him. Another Lankan fisherman Andan, who was in another boat was missing, police said. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Navy damaged the wind screen of more than 10 Indian fishing boats by pelting stones near Katchativu. Police said more than 850 fishing boats from Mandapam and Rameswaram were fishing near Katchativu when the Lankan Naval patrol personnel in 10 boats attacked them with stones.
2 killed in attack on church in Pak
Armed terrorists today attacked a Catholic church, killing two people in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan's restive Balochistan province, media reports said. The attack targeted the church where prayers of Christian community were being held, the Express Tribune newspaper reported quoting Balochistans Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti. A loud explosion and gunshots were heard, it said. The paper said that at least two people were killed. According to eyewitnesses, a number of people have sustained injuries. Following the attack, an emergency was imposed in all hospitals across Quetta. Police teams and rescue teams have reached the site of the explosion, and the area has been cordoned off. Citing the police, Geo News reported that an exchange of fire is ongoing between terrorists and security personnel. The media personnel have been directed to stay away from the site.