Page 3 - War Conflict
Belgium arrests man suspected of plotting attack against US embassy
Belgian counter-terror police have arrested a man suspected of plotting an attack against the US embassy in Brussels, federal prosecutors said Monday. Security forces on Saturday arrested a man following "converging signs raising fears of an attack against the US embassy," the prosecutor's office said. "The suspect has been detained for an alleged attempted attack within a terrorist context and preparation of a terrorist offence," it said in a statement. The suspect identified only as M.G. appeared Monday morning before an investigating judge who ordered him held in the case, it added. The suspect denies any involvement in the alleged plot. A source close to the investigation told AFP the suspect is a Belgian man of around 40 years old who had "raised suspicion because of his behaviour". He had been seen "scouting" the embassy area before he was arrested, the source added. Jihadists have staged a number of attacks in Brussels, which hosts the headquarters of the European Union and ...
334 soldiers killed from 2016-18 in areas where AFSPA is in force: Govt
As many as 334 soldiers were killed from 2016 to 2018 in areas where the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is in force, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told Parliament on Monday. In a written response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Singh said 113 soldiers were killed in 2016, 125 in 2017 and 96 in 2018 in areas where the AFSPA is in force. The AFSPA, which gives special powers to the armed forces, is in place in Jammu and Kashmir and certain parts of the north-east. Singh said 69 soldiers were killed in border skirmishes from 2016 to 2018. Responding to another question, he said the Army suffered 31 casualties during tactical actions in the said period. Replying to another question, the defence minister said 87 soldiers were killed in terrorist attacks in 2017 and 2018. "The Army carries out a periodical review of the security arrangements of all its camps, garrisons and installations, based on threat assessment and analysis of past incidents," Singh said. On the basis of ...
Lanka's sacked top defence official faces charges for criminal negligence over Easter bombings
Sri Lanka's sacked top defence ministry official will face criminal investigation for his alleged failure to prevent the Easter Sunday bombings that killed 258 people and injured over 500, an official said on Monday. Hemasiri Fernando, who was asked by President Maithripala Sirisena to resign, told a parliamentary panel that it was difficult for him to meet Sirisena during the time he served as the top bureaucrat of the ministry. The Attorney General (AG) has instructed the acting police chief to institute a criminal action against Fernando following recommendations by a special panel to probe the April 21 attacks. India had shared intelligence inputs with Sri Lanka about possible attacks weeks before the bombings. Last week, it was announced that a group of senior police officials were to face criminal negligence charges over their alleged failure to prevent the attacks on the recommendations of the same panel. The Deputy Inspector General of Police (Colombo), Deputy Inspector ...
Fadnavis, Uddhav address joint BJP-Sena legislators' meet
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray Monday addressed a joint meeting of BJP-Shiv Sena lawmakers at the state legislature here to felicitate Sena's Neelam Gorhe, state Finance Minister and BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar said. Three-time MLA Gorhe was elected deputy chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council unopposed earlier in the day. Mungantiwar said Fadnavis and Thackeray asked lawmakers of both the parties to use the remaining period of the current monsoon session to get maximum public interest works done. Asked if the two leaders guided legislators in view of the Assembly polls, due in September-October, Mungantiwar replied in the negative. He said, "We are preparing for the Assembly polls together. Alliance talks will also begin in some days. We will fight the polls together with a sentiment 'ab ki baar 220 paar' (over 220 seats this time)." He informed that only Fadnavis and Thackeray, or anyone the two leaders appoint
Man killed in Russia's Chechnya after wounding 2 policemen
Police in Russia's Chechnya province say that an attacker has wounded two officers before being shot dead. The authorities said the attack happened in Chechnya's provincial capital, Grozny, on Sunday when police stopped a vehicle for a check. The driver stabbed a policeman with a knife, and shot and wounded another officer before being killed. Investigators on Monday identified the attacker as a 21-year-old resident of Grozny. They said they are looking at his possible connections with extremist groups. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The IS-affiliated Aamaq news agency said the attacker killed and wounded a number of guards at the gates of Chechen regional leader Ramzan Kadyrov's residence before being killed. The claim couldn't be independently confirmed.
Suspected World War II bomb blasts crater in German field
A bomb likely dating to World War II exploded in a field in western Germany leaving a huge crater but no injuries, police said Monday. The explosion left a 10-metre (33 feet) wide and four-metre deep hole after residents in Limburg, heard a loud noise and felt the earth shake at 0352 (0152 GMT) on Sunday morning. "The crater was examined on Monday by an explosive ordnance clearance service to find possible fragments," a police spokesman told AFP. "The area was used for target practice during the Second World War," he added. A bomb disposal service spokesman said it was "highly possible" WW II ordnance was involved. A local government spokesman in the nearby city of Darmstadt told German daily Bild it was believed the bomb had a chemical-based delayed timer which could have finally eroded. Nearly 75 years after the end of war, Germany remains littered with unexploded ordnance, a legacy of the Allied bombing campaign against Nazi Germany. Earlier this month, a 100-kilo (220-pound) US ..
West Bengal: 18 bombs seized in Durgapur
After seizing 60 bombs from the from Bhatpara area in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, police recovered 18 bombs in the Durgapur city of the state."As soon as the police got the information that 18 bombs have been kept inside two drums of an under developing house in Shanti Nagar, we reached the spot immediately and seized all the bombs," the police said.After cops informed the Crime Investigation Department (CID), the bomb disposal squad destroyed the explosives at an isolated place."We have not arrested anybody till now but the investigation is underway and will soon catch the people behind this," police added.Two persons were killed and several others were injured on Thursday after violent clashes broke out between two groups suspected to be affiliated to the ruling TMC and BJP in Bhatpara.
15 killed in two 'terrorist' attacks on Burkina villages: Minister
Two attacks by "armed terrorists" on villages in northern Burkina Faso left 15 people dead, the country's Defence Minister Cheriff Sy said Monday. The gunmen attacked the villages of Sagho and Toekodogo, in the Barsalogho district, on Saturday, Sy said in a statement, describing them as members of "armed terrorist groups". "These attacks unfortunately caused the death of 15 people, 13 of them in Sagho and two in Toekodogo," he said. The attackers also set fire to three shops and around 10 motorcycles. Once alerted, soldiers and members of the security forces were deployed who put the assailants to flight, Sy added. Burkina Faso has suffered from increasingly frequent and deadly attacks attributed to a number of jihadist groups, including the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM) and Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. More than 1,000 people have fled their homes because of the unrest in the region, finding refuge in the capital Ouagadougou, in the centre of the country. The north
Top Sri Lanka defence official faces charges over Easter attacks
Sri Lanka's most senior defence official on Monday became the latest government figure to face possible criminal charges over "major lapses" linked to the Easter Sunday bombings that killed 258 people. Hemasiri Fernando, who was defence secretary before the April 21 bombing of three churches and three hotels, should be investigated for his failure to prevent or minimise the attacks, Attorney General Dappula de Livera said. The attorney general said in a letter to Sri Lanka's acting police chief that a presidential commission of inquiry had found "major lapses" by Fernando, who has since resigned from his top job. While Fernando is the most senior defence official to face action, President Maithripala Sirisena also suspended police chief Pujith Jayasundara after he refused to step down over the handling of the attacks. Jayasundara and Fernando have testified before a parliamentary inquiry and accused Sirisena of failing to follow established protocols in assessing threats to national ..
3 al-Qaeda terrorists killed in Pak
Three al-Qaeda terrorists, including a top leader of the terror group, were killed on Monday during a raid by the counter-terrorism officials at their hideout in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi. According to a senior police official, counter-terrorism and intelligence officials carried out a raid at Khuda Baksh Goth near the Northern Bypass in Karachi early morning. "In the exchange of fire, three terrorists were killed but two others managed to escape," the official said. He said two slain terrorists have been identified as Talat Mahmood and Usman Alam. "Both were active members of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and we recovered arms, ammunition, suicide jackets and grenades from the spot," the official said. He said Talat was also emir (chief) of the al-Qaeda unit in Karachi.
Robbers summon businessman home, gun him down
Assailants summoned an Assam businessman to his residence in Karbi Anglong district and shot him dead after assaulting his son and looting valuables from the house, police said on Monday. An employee of the liquor businessman, identified as Mulsingh Rathode, was also injured in the attack that took place on Sunday night. Around seven men barged into Rathode's residence at Khotkhoti, beat up his son and looted gold and money from the house, district Superintendent of Police Gaurav Upadhyay told PTI. They then forced the businessman's son to call his father home and as soon has he reached there, they shot him in the head with an AK-47 rifle and injured his employee before fleeing, Upadhyay said. Rathode was taken to a hospital in neighbouring Dimapur of Nagaland where doctors declared him brought dead, he said. An investigation into the incident has started, police said.
Congolese 'Terminator' faces war crimes judgement
Congolese ex-warlord Bosco Ntaganda will face judgement before the International Criminal Court next month for allegedly overseeing massacres and using children in his rebel army, the tribunal said Monday. Ntaganda, nicknamed "Terminator", is accused of masterminding the slaughter of civilians by his soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo's volatile northeastern Ituri region in 2002 and 2003. The Hague-based ICC said in a statement that it "will deliver its judgement in the case of Bosco Ntaganda on July 8 at 10.00 am (0800 GMT)". "At the hearing the Trial Chamber will announce whether it finds the accused innocent or guilty beyond reasonable doubt," it added. Ntaganda, 45, is facing 13 counts of war crimes and five counts of crimes against humanity for his role in the brutal conflict that wrecked the mineral-rich Ituri region. More than 60,000 people have been killed since the violence erupted in the region in 1999 according to rights groups, as militias battled each other for .
Iraqi special forces kill 14 IS militants in country's north
Iraqi special forces say they have conducted an operation near the northern city of Kirkuk in which they killed 14 members of the Islamic State group. A statement from Iraqi Counterterrorism Forces on Monday says that during the operation, Iraqi forces received support from warplanes of the US-led coalition. The statement says the operation, just south of Kirkuk, lasted for two days and included Iraqi special forces rappelling from helicopters. Although Iraq declared victory against IS in July 2017, the extremists have since been trying to mount a guerrilla-style insurgency, going into hiding and staging surprise attacks in different parts of the country.
West Bengal: Police seize 60 bombs in Bhatpara, arrest 8 people
As many as 60 bombs were seized on Monday from Bhatpara area in North 24 Parganas district and eight people arrested in that connection, police said.Barrackpore Commissioner of Police Manoj Kumar said, "We recovered 60 bombs from Gali number 6 in Kankinara under Bhatpara police station. We have arrested eight people and further investigation is underway."Two persons were killed while several others were injured on Thursday after clashes broke out between two groups suspected to be affiliated to ruling TMC and BJP in Bhatpara, which comes under the Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency.Prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC were imposed in the affected areas to restore order. Both TMC and BJP have blamed each other for the violence.
China says it 'won't allow' G20 discussion on Hong Kong
China said on Monday it would not allow the G-20 nations to discuss mass protests in Hong Kong during their summit this week, as US President Donald Trump plans to raise the issue during his meeting with President Xi Jinping in Japan. Hong Kong has been rocked by major protests over a bill that would allow people to be extradited to the mainland to face trial in courts controlled by the Communist party. It triggered the most violent protests in decades when police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowds. The extradition bill and police reaction to the protests drew international criticism from rights groups. Following historic protests, the Hong Kong government retracted plans to bring about the controversial law. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam also indefinitely suspended debate on the issue. But protesters are demanding that she formally withdraw the proposed changes to the extradition laws. Some also want Lam to resign. China said it would oppose any attempt by the US .
Taliban threaten Afghan media, say reporters to be targeted
The Taliban have issued a threat to Afghan media, saying journalists will be targeted unless news outlets stop broadcasting what they describe as government propaganda against the insurgents. Monday's statement gives Afghan radio stations, TV channels and others a week to cease transmitting anti-Taliban announcements paid for by the government. The Taliban say that Afghan media that refuse to do this will be considered enemy intelligence nests and their journalists and other staffers will not be safe. The government in Kabul pays media outlets to regularly air please to the public to inform authorities if they see any suspicious Taliban activities. The Taliban have targeted Afghan media, radio and TV stations in the past but this is the insurgents' first threat over a specific issue such as the government-paid announcements.
20 years of Kargil war: IAF turns Gwalior Air Base into 'war theatre', reenacts milestones
Commemorating 20 years of the Kargil War, the IAF Monday turned the Gwalior air base virtually into a theatre of conflict with a dramatic reenactment of some milestones of the 1999 operation. In a symbolic recreation of the Tiger Hill attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Drass-Kargil area, the air force used the Mirage 2000 aircraft and explosives were blown up on a 'model hill' to recreate the crucial events of the war. The chief guest for the event is Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa. The IAF has planned several activities at the air base to commemorate the 20 years of the war and the symbolic recreation of the Tiger Hill attack was one of them. Five Mirage 2000, two MiG 21s and one Sukoi 30 MKI were on static display at the base. One of the Mirage 2000 aircraft showcased the Spice bomb carrier. The bomb was used in the Balakot airstrike in February. The aircraft is undergoing upgrade which will extend its life by another 20 years, said Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief .
Two killed in group clash in Shahjahanpur
Two persons were killed when two groups clashed over a dispute during a panchayat meeting here Monday, police said. The incident took place when the groups led by Sonu (25) and Maya Prakash Gupta (55) clashed during a panchayat meeting at Jumai village in Roza area, Superintendent of Police, City, Dinesh Tripathi said. When Sonu was shot dead, people from his side started beating Gupta with sticks injuring him seriously. He was rushed to the hospital, where he died. Police lodged FIRs in this connection. No arrests have so far been made.
3 terrorists killed in Karachi, claims Pakistan police
Three terrorists were killed in an operation conducted by Pakistani armed forces in Karachi late on Sunday.After getting a tip-off, the police and intelligence agencies conducted an operation and during the exchange of fire, the terrorists were killed. However, two of their accomplices managed to escape.The police have claimed that the trio was planning to "carry out sabotage activities" in Karachi.The police have also recovered a suicide jacket, hand grenades and large quantity of arms from their possession.
Indian women peacekeepers begin UN mission in Congo
A team of women peacekeepers from India has assumed duties in the UN mission in Congo, one of the most challenging peacekeeping missions, with a focus on working with women and children worst affected by conflict. The Female Engagement Team (FET) from India, comprising nearly 20 women peacekeepers, began its deployment with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO) last week. Women Peace & Security in action. India's Female Engagement Team deployed in @UNPeacekeeping is on way to assume duties @MONUSCO (Democratic Republic of Congo), India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin tweeted on June 20 along with a photograph of the women peacekeepers leaving India for their deployment. Military Advisor to the Permanent Mission of India to UN Colonel Sandeep Kapoor told PTI that India's deployment of the Female Engagement Team is in line with Secretary General Antonio Guterres' priority and initiative to ensure increased ...
