Page 96 - War Conflict
Policeman shot at home in Srinagar, critically injured
A policeman was critically injured when militants shot him in his house here on Wednesday, police sources said.
Pak 'mischievously' attempting to divert narrative: Official sources on Azhar listing
India's objective of getting JeM chief Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist has been achieved, official sources said Wednesday, asserting that Pakistan is "mischievously" attempting to divert the narrative and salvage something out of this diplomatic setback. The assertion came after Pakistan on Wednesday said it agreed to Azhar's listing after all "political references", including attempts to link him to the Pulwama attack, were removed from the proposal. Sources here said Pakistan is "mischievously" attempting to salvage something out of this huge diplomatic setback for them by diverting the narrative. In a huge diplomatic victory for India, the UN Sanctions Committee on Wednesday designated Azhar as a global terrorist after China lifted its hold on a proposal to ban him. Pulwama happened to be the latest act of terror, however the designation was not based on a specific incident but on the basis of evidence shared with members of the 1267 Sanctions Committee linking Azhar .
US 'destructive influence' in Venezuela violates international law: Russia
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday told his US counterpart Mike Pompeo the "destructive influence" of the United States in Venezuela was a violation of international law. In a US-led telephone conversation, Lavrov said "Washington's interference in Venezuelan affairs is a flagrant violation of international law" and that "this destructive influence has nothing to do with democracy", the Russian Foreign Ministry quoted him as saying in a statement. Pompeo said earlier Wednesday President Donald Trump was prepared to take military action to quell the crisis in Venezuela. "The pursual of these aggressive steps is fraught with consequences," Lavrov said, adding that "only the Venezuelan people have the right to decide their destiny". Venezuelan was bracing Wednesday for anti-government protests called by opposition leader Juan Guaido in a bid to pile pressure on President Nicolas Maduro. Pro-Maduro rallies were also expected, a day after violent clashes erupted in the ...
Police head constable visiting home on leave shot dead by militants in Srinagar
A police head constable visiting home on leave was shot dead by suspected militants in Srinagar Wednesday, officials said. Illiyas Ahmed was attached with the special branch of the district police in Handwara in north kashmir. Suspected militants barged into his house in Khanyar and shot him dead, the officials said. He had come home on leave, they added.
Will kill 100 Naxals to avenge Gadchiroli attack: Yogi
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Wednesday paid homage to those who died in the Naxal attack in Maharashtra and said that the sacrifice of the 15 police personnel will be avenged by killing atleast 100 Naxals. "This is a battle of the entire country and 130 crore countrymen are with our brave jawans," he said in an election rally in the state. "Our 15 jawans sacrificed their lives but in return we will kill atleast 100 Naxals," he added. At least 16 persons, including 15 security personnel, were killed in an IED blast triggered by Naxals in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district. The explosion followed Naxals torching 25 vehicles belonging to a road construction contractor earlier in the day. Those killed were members of the Quick Response Team (QRT) of Gadchiroli Police, which was on its way to inspect the torched vehicles.
IS threat to India, Bangladesh; new 'emir' named in Bengal
Amid developments after the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka which claimed 253 lives, an Islamic State (IS) affiliate group, "Al-Mursalat", has been reportedly planning to carry out similar attacks in India and Bangladesh with its announcement of appointing a new "emir" (chief) in Bengal, sources said.
Shiv Sena demand for ban on burqa will fan Islamophobia: Mehbooba
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti Wednesday said the Shiv Sena's demand for ban on burqa in public places was unwarranted and will "fan the flames of Islamophobia". "Shiv Sena's call to ban burqa is unwarranted & will fan the flames of Islamophobia. It also influences people to look at Muslim women who follow the Islamic dress code with suspicion. Sad that the diversity our country takes great pride in is under attack," the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said in a tweet. The Shiv Sena mouthpiece Wednesday welcomed Sri Lankan government's decision to ban burqa and masks on grounds of national security and asked the Narendra Modi-led regime to follow suit. "We welcome the decision by the Sri Lankan president. If this can happen in Ravana's Lanka, when will it happen in Ram's Ayodhya," it said. A senior Sena leader, however, said the editorial was not the official stand of the party. Sri Lanka banned any form of face covering after the coordinated blasts hit three churches ...
Lanka Prez receives interim report on Easter Sunday attack
A three-member investigation committee appointed to look into the Easter Sunday terror attacks on Wednesday submitted an interim report to President Maithripala Sirisena, who said that Sri Lanka will have to "think differently" now to fight the IS terror group. The president said he would have consultations with the Attorney General and will take necessary action accordingly. I got the interim report of the committee. I'm not going to disclose what was included in the reports. I'm hoping to take the necessary legal action after discussing the content of the interim report with the Attorney General tomorrow," the president was quoted as saying by the News 1st. The special panel will release its full report on May 6 and has recorded statements from several top state authorities, including former defence secretary and the suspended police chief. The panel appointed by President Sirisena on April 21 to conduct investigations into the series of suicide attacks on eight places in the ...
Timeline of Maharashtra Maoist attacks in last 10 years
Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district and surroundings have been the hotbed of Maoist activities for several decades. In the past 10 years, the rebels have attacked security forces and civilians several times. A Timeline:
Close family connection among Lanka suicide bombers: Police
The suicide bombers involved in the Easter Sunday carnage had close family connection, Sri Lankan police said Wednesday as it released the details of the attackers and their relatives linked to the country's worst terror attacks. Police released the details of Mohamed Cassim Mohamed Zahran also known as Zahran Hashmi, who led the team of suicide bombers on Easter Sunday, and his family members involved in the series of coordinated bombings at three churches and three hotels across the country in which over 250 people were killed and 500 injured. Hashmi, the leader of ISIS linked local outfit National Thowheeth Jamath (NTJ), blew himself up in the posh Shangri-La hotel. He came from the Muslim majority area in Kathankudi in the eastern province, Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said. His brother Mohamed Nazar Mohamed Azath was the suicide bomber at the Zion church in the eastern town of Batticaloa while his another brother Achchi Mohamed Mohamed Hasthun was the bomber at the St ...
EC bars Pragya Thakur from campaigning for 72 hours for Karkare, Babri remarks
The Election Commission Wednesday barred BJP candidate from Bhopal Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur from campaigning for 72 hours for her remarks on former ATS chief Hemant Karkare and Babri mosque demolition. The panel "strongly condemned" her remarks" and "warned her "not to repeat the misconduct in future". The EC said though Pragya had apologised for her statement against the slain IPS officer, it found the statement to be "unwarranted". The ban would come into force from 6.00 AM, May 2 (Thursday). Pragya had said Karkare was killed in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack because of her "curse" as he "tortured" her when he probed the Malegaon blast case as chief of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). She also had said that she was "proud" of her participation in the demolition of the Babri mosque at Ayodhya in 1992.
France welcomes listing of JeM chief as global terrorist
France, which has been vigorously pushing for listing of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, welcomed on Wednesday the decision of the UN Security Councils 1267 Sanctions Committee to sanction him, saying it signals the "successful realization" of its efforts.
Sri Lankan without valid papers held near Chennai
The police in Tamil Nadu claimed to have arrested a Sri Lankan national staying in the outskirts here without valid papers.
Police clash with hardliners as thousands hit Paris for May 1
Paris riot police fired teargas as they squared off against hardline demonstrators among tens of thousands of May Day protesters, who flooded the city Wednesday in a test for France's zero-tolerance policy on street violence. Tensions were palpable as a heady mix of labour unionists, "yellow vest" demonstrators and anti-capitalists gathered in the French capital, putting security forces on high alert. Ahead of the main march, the city was on lockdown with more than 7,400 police and gendarmes deployed with orders from President Emmanuel Macron to take an "extremely firm stance" if faced with violence. Clashes briefly erupted on Montparnasse Boulevard, where hundreds of anti-capitalist "black bloc" activists pushed to the front of the gathering crowd, hurling bottles and other projectiles at police, who fired tear gas and stingball grenades, an AFP correspondent said. Used at ground level, the grenades release scores of rubber pellets that cause an intense stinging to the ...
Ancient Ugratara idol recovered, 4 held
A centuries-old 'ashtadhatu' idol of Goddess Tara has been recovered from Nalbari district in Assam, police said Wednesday, more than five months after it was stolen from the famous Ugratara Temple in Guwahati. Four persons have been arrested in connection with the recovery, police said, adding other valuables were also recovered. Two more suspects are on the run. The idol, stolen on November 15, dates back to 1044 AD and the temple is revered as one of the 51 'Shaktipeeths' in the country. The temple was built in 1725 AD during the rule of Ahom King Siva Singh. About a week ago, police had received information about presence of some valuable articles in Nalbari district, the Superintendent of Police of Golaghat district, Pushparaj Singh, said at a press conference in Golaghat. "An operation was launched on Tuesday and the idol was recovered. The authorities of the temple were informed. They came here this morning and confirmed that it is the same statue that was stolen," Singh ...
CRPF touched by beautiful cards sent by Mumbai students
CRPF personnel posted in Jammu and Kashmir have received a special gift. And they are touched. The students of a Mumbai school have sent the Central Reserve Police Force personnel beautiful cards made by them, expressing solidarity and sincere gratitude to the jawans. A letter from the principal of Friends Academy in Mulund (West) highlighted the confidence of the nation in the world's largest paramilitary force in the aftermath of the Pulwama terrorist attack, CRPF Public Relations Officer in Jammu Ashish Kumar Jha said. Forty CRPF personnel died in the February 14 attack by a Pakistan-based group. The principal said tragic incidents such as Mumbai in 2008 and Pulwama this year disturbed them and they are worried about the troops' safety. "They (the students) admire and aspire for virtues like commitment, resilience and courage," she wrote in the letter, adding that the troops' families, too, have been their inspiration, who stand tall and unperturbed during all times. "A soldier who
Haqqani network operator killed in Afghanistan
Afghan government forces have killed a prominent Haqqani network operator in the country's Paktia province, police officials said on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka cable operators block Zakir Naik's Peace TV
The two largest cable operators of Sri Lanka have blocked controversial Indian Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's Peace TV following the Easter Sunday carnage in the island nation in which 253 people died.
'No police or central force personnel can enter EVM room unless asked by PO'
Police or paramilitary force personnel cannot enter a room where an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is kept at the time of polling unless directed by the presiding officer, Election Commission sources said on Wednesday."Neither the West Bengal Police nor central forces are allowed inside the polling booth in the room where machines and EVMs are kept at the time of voting. They can enter if and when the presiding officer calls them in," they said.Trinamool Congress had on Monday written to the EC, alleging that central paramilitary forces deployed on election duty were acting at the behest of BJP leaders and creating terror in the mind of voters to force them to cast their vote in favour of the ruling party at the Centre.The party alleged that the central forces were acting in a manner which was not conducive for free and fair elections in West Bengal.It also said that complaints against central force had been filed but no action was taken.
Lt Gen Ranbir Singh reviews security situation in North Kashmir
Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh Wednesday reviewed security situation and counter-terrorism operations in North Kashmir, army officials said. "Lt Gen Singh visited the hinterland units, where he reviewed the prevailing security situation and strategy for counter-terrorist operations in North Kashmir," they said. The officials said the army commander also interacted with senior dignitaries at Badami Bagh Cantonment here. "Later in the day, he also visited 144 Battalion of Central Reserve Police deployed in Dal Lake. He appreciated the round the clock efforts of paramilitary troops and their teamwork with the army and police to maintain peace and tranquillity in the valley," they added. Lt Gen Singh also presided over the Silver Jubilee raising day of 20 Rashtriya Rifles (DOGRA) unit at Badamibagh here, defence spokesperson Colonel Rajesh Kalia said. Raised on May 1, 1994 in Varanasi, with Col V P Singh as its first Commanding Officer, the unit has participated in various ...