Page 86 - War Conflict
Taliban storm US-backed aid group's Kabul compound
Taliban militants stormed a US-funded aid group's central Kabul compound in an ongoing attack, having targeted the organisation for promoting Western culture and the "inter-mixing" of men and women. At least nine people were wounded in the latest attack to rock the Afghan capital, which came even as US and Taliban officials were meeting in Qatar for talks aimed at bringing an end to Afghanistan's war. The assault began around midday (local time) when a massive blast tore across Kabul. Interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said attackers then entered the compound of Counterpart International, a non-profit group funded at least in part by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). "The police have surrounded the area and a clearing operation is ongoing," Rahimi said, later adding that in the hours following the initial blast, 169 people were rescued from the site. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid quickly claimed responsibility for the attack, saying Counterpart ...
Peacekeeping today is in domain of "vaguely defined no-man's land": India at UN
The peacekeeping today is in the domain of a "vaguely defined no-man's land", India has said at the UN, underscoring that responding to new security challenges requires a willingness to adapt abilities to meet the emerging realities. Speaking at the UN Security Council open debate on UN Peacekeeping Operations: Training and Capacity Building, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin said Tuesday that training was not only a pre-requisite to fulfil mandates, but a must to ensure safety and security in difficult environments. He said while operational concepts for such objectives are being put in place, it was also necessary to have properly equipped and well-trained personnel to meet expectations of deployment in challenging environments to fulfil a range of mandates. "Peacekeeping today is in the domain of a vaguely defined no-man's land. It lies somewhere between trying to keep the peace in fragile environments and trying to enforce the maintenance of ...
Injured female US official in Sri Lanka Easter bombing dies
An American official, seriously injured during the Easter Sunday suicide bombings in Sri Lanka succumbed to her injuries, the US embassy said Wednesday as Washington reaffirmed its commitment to fight terrorism around the world. Chelsea Decaminada, an International Programme Specialist with the Department of Commerce, was staying at the Shangri-La in Colombo on April 21 when two Islamist bombers attacked the luxury hotel. Confirming her death, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina Teplitz said Decaminada succumbed after a valiant fight to injuries from the attacks. "We mourn the loss of Chelsea Decaminada, who succumbed after a valiant fight to injuries from the attacks. Our prayers are with her family. We pay tribute to Chelsea & all those lost & injured by partnering w Sri Lanka & nations worldwide to bring unity in the face of terrorism," Teplitz said in a tweet. It was reported that she was airlifted to a hospital in Singapore for treatment. In Washington, US Commerce ..
Lankan man arrested for bribing police to release blast suspect
A Sri Lankan man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly attempting to bribe a police officer to obtain bail for an Islamic extremist held in connection with the Easter Sunday terror attacks. The 26-year-old suspect, Mohammed Shifan, had offered Rs 500,000 as a bribe to the Officer in Charge (OIC) at the Horowpothana Police station to free a member of the National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ), the Islamist group blamed for the April 21 bombings on three churches and three hotels here, the Colombo Page reported. Shifan is said to be a close accomplice of the NTJ member, Abdul Majeed Mohamed Niyaz, who was arrested on April 28 and was remanded until May 14. Niyaz is said to have been directly involved in the bomb attack on Shangri-La hotel on Easter Sunday. Shifan was ready to pay Rs 250,000 as an advance to secure the release of the NTJ member. The police officer had informed the Bribery Commission and Shifan was arrested while he was handing over the cash to the officer in his office. Nine ...
2 Russian aircraft breach S Korea's air defence zone
South Korea scrambled multiple jets in response to its air defence identification zone (KADIZ) being allegedly violated by two Russian Tupolev Tu-142s last week.Quoting military sources, Yonhap News Agency reported that the two Russian jets entered KADIZ four times from Jeju on Friday and remained in the air space for around an hour and thirty-nine minutes.The South Korean aircraft, which included F-15Ks, sent warning messages in line with the military's operation manual.No additional measures were taken as the Russian jets "clearly defined their purpose of flight"."In communication with our side, they clearly defined their purpose of flight," the source told Yonhap.It is believed that the Russian maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft had taken part in the Sino-Russian naval drills, held near China's Qingdao from April 29 to May 1.Two Russian warplanes had previously violated the KADIZ in July last year. Following this, Seoul lodged a strong protest with Russia ..
Suicide blast near Lahore's Sufi shrine kills 10 (3rd Lead)
At least 10 people were killed and 30 wounded when a 15-year-old suicide bomber detonated himself near a police patrol close to Pakistan's oldest and most popular Sufi shrine in Lahore city on Wednesday.
Taliban target international NGO in Kabul, 9 injured
A group of Taliban fighters on Wednesday attacked an international aid group in the centre of Afghanistan's capital, injuring at least nine people, officials said.
Hindutva leader Milind Ekbote attacked near Pune
At least 40 persons, reportedly members of a cow vigilante group, have been booked in connection with an assault on Hindutva leader and Koregaon-Bhima riots case accused Milind Ekbote, police said here on Thursday.
Gunfight continues after attackers storm Counterpart International's building in Kabul
Gunmen stormed Counterpart International's building in the Shahr-e-Naw area here on Wednesday, in an attack whose responsibility has been claimed by Taliban.Heavy explosion and gunfire could be heard in the region in the morning, as gunfighting continues, according to TOLOnews.Nusrat Rahimi, a spokesman for Ministry of Interior Affairs, highlighted that the police surrounded the area and rescued around 150 people of the organisation.Even though casualties are feared, the authorities are yet to give an official figure. At least 15 wounded were rushed to the hospital, according to Wahid Mayar, the spokesman for Ministry of Public Health.The police are still trying to clear the building, as per Rahimi. TOLOnews' reporter Anisa Shaheed stated that an explosive-laden vehicle was seized from the attackers by the police.An unspecified number of gunmen stormed the US NGO's building on Wednesday morning. Ambulances, firefighters and military vehicles rushed near the attack scene ...
10 killed in suicide attack outside Sufi shrine in Pakistan's Lahore
A teenage Taliban suicide bomber blew himself up outside one of Pakistan's oldest and most revered Sufi shrines in Lahore on Wednesday, killing at least 10 people, including five police commandos, and injuring 25 others as the country marks the Muslim holy month of Ramazan. The powerful blast took place around 8:45 am (local time) outside Gate number 2 of the 11th-century Data Darbar shrine, the largest Sufi shrine in South Asia, where the elite police personnel were deployed for security, police said. A CCTV footage showed that a teenage boy wearing black shalwar kameez and a suicide vest came closer to the vehicle of elite force and blew himself up. "The suicide bomber is about 15 years old and made no suspected movement before blowing himself up," Lahore police spokesperson Syed Mubashir told PTI. He said at least 10 people including five policemen were killed in the blast. Over 20 injured are being treated at the Mayo Hospital Lahore, of them the condition of six is said to be ...
India urges nations to work in tandem to combat terror threat, illicit trade
Recent terror incidents in India, New Zealand and Sri Lanka have thrown a challenge in the area of Customs administration in Asia-Pacific region, India said today and urged the nations to work in tandem to combat the menace. Addressing the 20th Conference of the Regional Heads of Customs Administration, Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Pranab Kumar Das stressed on timely cooperation to tackle the threats posed by terrorism. "The Customs Administration needs to work in tandem with other national and international security agencies to address terrorism," Das, who is also regional vice chair of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Asia/Pacific, said. Spelling out the focus areas while presenting regional perspective of the WCO, he said the terror incidents in Afghanistan, India, New Zealand and more recently in Sri Lanka "have thrown a challenge and highlighted a pressing need for a greater co-operation and timely cooperation and considered efforts" for .
Lankan held for ransom by group in Nagapattinam rescued
A Sri Lankan national was Wednesday rescued from a group of people who allegedly kept him in captivity at a village near Vedaranyam in the district coastal security group police said here. Four people have been arrested in this connection, the police said. Ramesh, hailing from Ilavalai village in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, had allegedly been involving in smuggling and had ties with the group of people, said police. In 2017, a dispute arose between him and the group following which Ramesh was held to ransom for Rs 10 lakh from his Lankan counterparts, they said. Since the amount was not settled, Ramesh remained in captivity in Naluvethapathy village for several months, said police. Acting on a tip-off, the coastal security group laid a trap and a four-member group brought Ramesh in a mini-lorry, when the police rounded them up and arrested them. Enquiries are on with Ramesh and the Nagapattinam group.
Cong snatched farmers' land, reaped 'crop of corruption' in Haryana: Modi
In his first rally in Haryana during this election season, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday alluded to alleged land scams under investigation and said the Congress has been reaping a crop of corruption in the state. Targeting the previous state governments, he said, They have done 'Brashtachar ki kheti' on farmers' land and the proof is in Haryana. Modi stopped short of naming former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who faces an investigation. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra reacted sharply on Twitter to Modi's comments, though he too was not mentioned by name. How the game to snatch farmers' land at throwaway prices was played whenever the Congress was in power in Haryana and Delhi, you know this, he said. With your blessings, this 'chowkidar' took those who looted the farmers to court, he said. They are running around for bail, going to ED (Enforcement Directorate) offices. They thought they were emperors and nobody could touch them, but and now ...
Militants shoot two in Shopian district
Militants shot and critically injured two persons on Wednesday in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district.
'India can offer many suggestions to UN to enhance performance of peacekeepers'
India, which has a long tradition of peacekeeping, can offer many suggestions to the UN to enhance the performance of peacekeepers and improve their capacities, the country's envoy to the world body has said. Speaking at an open debate on the 'United Nations Peacekeeping Operations: Training and Capacity Building' on Tuesday, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin said it is necessary to have properly equipped and well-trained personnel to meet expectations of deployment in challenging environments, to fulfil a range of mandates. "Peacekeeping today is in the domain of a vaguely defined no-man's land. It lies somewhere between trying to keep the peace in fragile environments and trying to enforce the maintenance of peace, where there is none to keep," he said. Responses to new security environments cannot be by merely ratcheting up traditional methodologies. They require a willingness to adapt abilities to meet emerging realities, as envisaged in the ...
Terrorists shot at two civilians in Shopian
Suspected terrorists Wednesday shot at and injured two civilians in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. The ultras shot at two civilians at Zainapora in Shopian, resulting in injuries to them, a police official said. He said both the injured persons have been shifted to a hospital. Further details are awaited.
Lanka restricts 5-day national Vesak festivities to 2 days after Easter bombings
The Sri Lankan government has restricted the five-day national Vesak festival celebrations to just two days citing the prevailing security situation in the country following the massive Easter Sunday bombings. Vesak, the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the most sacred day to millions of Buddhists around the world and this year it was expected to be observed from May 17 to 21. Sri Lanka's top leadership has said that authorities have arrested or killed all the militants responsible for the deadly Easter blasts, but warned that the country still faces the threat of ISIS terror attacks. Buddhist Affairs Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera said that the five-day festival will now be limited to two days on May 17 and 18. Sri Lanka Chief Prelates (Mahanayakes -- a high-ranking member of the clergy) of four Buddhist chapters have requested the public not to hold celebrations on a large scale. In a joint statement, they said that the fundamental aim of celebrating the Vesak Full .
Taliban overruns international NGO office in Kabul attack
Taliban militants Wednesday overran a central Kabul compound housing an international aid organisation, Afghan officials said, the latest assault to rock the war-torn city. The attack comes as the US and Taliban representatives continue negotiations in Qatar aimed at bringing an end to the nearly 18-year-old conflict, while fighting continues to rage across Afghanistan. Interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said the latest attack began with an explosion near the offices of Counterpart International, an NGO with operations in Afghanistan. Officials earlier wrongly identified the target as the nearby CARE International. "Some attackers have entered the NGO's compound. The police have surrounded the area and a clearing operation is ongoing," Rahimi said. In a tweet, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Counterpart was involved in "harmful" activities in Afghanistan, and was linked to USAID. Wahidullah Mayar, the spokesman for the ministry of public health, said at least nine ...
Will put 'shahenshah' who looted farmers behind bars within next 5 years: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said if the NDA government comes back to power, he will put the 'shahenshah' who looted farmers behind bars within the next five years."Whenever there was Congress' government in Centre and Haryana, they took away the land of farmers at low rates. With your blessings, this Chowkidar has taken those who looted farmers to the court. They are going around seeking bail. They are going to ED offices. They used to think that they are 'shahenshahs' (emperor) and nobody can touch them. Now they are nervous. I have already taken them to the door of the jail, give me your blessings and I'll put them in jail within next five years," Modi said in an apparent reference to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra, who is currently facing trial in a land deal case.Modi, while addressing the gathering here, also said those who have looted the country "will have to pay back."The Prime Minister went on to criticise the Congress over the 1984 ...
Jammu and Kashmir: Terrorist hideout busted in Ganderbal
Security forces on Wednesday busted a terrorist hideout at a village in Ganderbal district.The Army and local police launched a joint search operation in Gangangeer village following inputs about the presence of terrorists.Two wireless walkie-talkie sets and ammunition, including AK-47 rifles, eight detonators and two grenade pins, were recovered from the site.More details in this regard are awaited.