According to a CNN report, Taliban fighters have executed&nbsp;22 Afghan commandos.&nbsp;Several videos have come up, apparently&nbsp;of the incident.&nbsp;

In a&nbsp;clear but unsteady video,&nbsp;several commandos&nbsp;of&nbsp;Afghan Special Forces unit&nbsp;can be seen asked to surrender before they are&nbsp;shot to death amid cries of 'Allahu&nbsp;Akbar'.&nbsp;

The killings&nbsp;were carried out on&nbsp;June 16 in Dawlat Abad&nbsp;town,&nbsp;Faryab province,&nbsp;which is&nbsp;close to Afghanistan's border with Turkmenistan.&nbsp;The CNN report said&nbsp;it&nbsp;has obtained and verified several videos of the incident and has&nbsp;also&nbsp;spoken with witnesses.&nbsp;

The Red Cross has also confirmed that the bodies of 22 commandos were retrieved.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;commandos were forced to surrender when&nbsp;they ran out of ammunition after being surrounded by the Taliban fighters in&nbsp;a fierce battle to hold the town, witnesses said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Taliban attacks on security outposts in&nbsp;Gazni&nbsp;city were repelled by Afghan security forces on Sunday, TOLOnews reported, citing a police official.&nbsp;

The Taliban attacked security outposts in PD3, PD6, PD1 and PD5 in the early hours of Sunday morning, the provincial police statement said, adding "the Taliban faced a response from the joint security forces, and their attacks were pushed back."&nbsp;

Provincial police chief Fazel Ahmad assured people that security sources will defend the city.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"The Taliban escaped from the areas after the arrival of the reinforcements. Several Taliban were killed and wounded in the clashes," he said.&nbsp;

There was no mention in the statement about possible casualties among the security forces, said TOLOnews.&nbsp;

General Shir Mohammad&nbsp;Andewal, a military commander in&nbsp;Ghazni, pledged that the security forces will "bravely" defend the city. The Taliban has not yet commented on the attacks.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

According to a CNN report, Taliban fighters have executed 22 Afghan commandos. Several videos have come up, apparently of the incident. In a clear but unsteady video, several commandos of Afghan Special Forces unit can be seen asked to surrender before they are shot to death amid cries of 'Allahu Akbar'.

According to a CNN report, Taliban fighters have executed 22 Afghan commandos. Several videos have come up, apparently of the incident. In a clear but unsteady video, several commandos of Afghan Special Forces unit can be seen asked to surrender before they are shot to death amid cries of 'Allahu Akbar'. The killings were carried out on June 16 in Dawlat Abad town, Faryab province, which is close to Afghanistan's border with Turkmenistan. The CNN report said it has obtained and verified several videos of the incident and has also spoken with witnesses. The Red Cross has also confirmed that the bodies of 22 commandos were retrieved. The commandos were forced to surrender when they ran out of ammunition after being surrounded by the Taliban fighters in a fierce battle to hold the town, witnesses said. Meanwhile, Taliban attacks on security outposts in Gazni city were repelled by Afghan security forces on Sunday, TOLOnews reported, citing a police official. The Taliban attacked security outposts in PD3, PD6, PD1 and PD5 in the early hours of Sunday morning, the provincial police statement said, adding "the Taliban faced a response from the joint security forces, and their attacks were pushed back." Provincial police chief Fazel Ahmad assured people that security sources will defend the city. "The Taliban escaped from the areas after the arrival of the reinforcements. Several Taliban were killed and wounded in the clashes," he said. There was no mention in the statement about possible casualties among the security forces, said TOLOnews. General Shir Mohammad Andewal, a military commander in Ghazni, pledged that the security forces will "bravely" defend the city. The Taliban has not yet commented on the attacks. (With inputs from agencies)

Taliban kills 22 Afghan commandos after they try to surrender: Report 

South&nbsp;Korean and US&nbsp;special forces troops recently conducted drills simulating the infiltration of an enemy facility,&nbsp;as tensions with North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;ratchet up ahead of a year-end deadline.

South&nbsp;Korean and US&nbsp;commandos raided the facility and led out a man with his hands tied behind the back during the exercise described as a joint regular close-quarters battle training last month at a US&nbsp;military base in the&nbsp;southwestern&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korean city of Gunsan.

A&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korean official said the drill was designed as a hostage rescue operation training as part of a counter-terrorism drill conducted quarterly by the allies. The US&nbsp;Forces&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;did not respond to a request for comment.

Watch:&nbsp;North Korea rules out Denuclearisation Talks

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The rare release of the photos by the US&nbsp;Defense Visual Information Distribution Service comes ahead of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-test-fires-rockets-in-thanksgiving-reminder-of-year-end-deadline-for-us-265157">year-end deadline</a> set by Pyongyang for Washington to soften its stance in stalled talks.

The service is operated by an arm of the US&nbsp;Department of Defence.

South&nbsp;Korea's Chosun Ilbo newspaper, which first reported the training, said the drills were intended to simulate a scenario to capture North&nbsp;Korean executives. Sources identified a man in military uniforms akin to that of North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;collapse upon a gunshot from one of the commandos, Chosun Ilbo said.

Pyongyang has in the past accused the United States and&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;of seeking to topple its regime with "hostile policy", while slamming their <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-us-military-drills-violate-agreement-north-korea-state-media-176737">regular joint military exercises</a> as plots to "decapitate" its leadership and a rehearsal for war.

South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;under a previous administration had planned to launch a special unit in 2017 tasked with "removing or paralysing" North&nbsp;Korea's top command in the event of a war.

Tension has been growing in recent weeks as North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;conducts a series of weapons tests and waged a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-warns-united-states-not-to-exploit-close-trump-kim-ties-258322">war of words</a> with US&nbsp;President Donald Trump in an apparent bid to underscore its year-end deadline.

Earlier this month, Trump said the United States reserved the right to use military force against North&nbsp;Korea.

General Charles Brown, commander of US&nbsp;Pacific Air Forces, said last week the US&nbsp;military could "dust off pretty quickly and be ready to use" options it had developed during the height of tensions in 2017.

South Korean and US special forces troops recently conducted drills simulating the infiltration of an enemy facility, as tensions with North Korea ratchet up ahead of a year-end deadline.

South Korean and US special forces troops recently conducted drills simulating the infiltration of an enemy facility, as tensions with North Korea ratchet up ahead of a year-end deadline. South Korean and US commandos raided the facility and led out a man with his hands tied behind the back during the exercise described as a joint regular close-quarters battle training last month at a US military base in the southwestern South Korean city of Gunsan. A South Korean official said the drill was designed as a hostage rescue operation training as part of a counter-terrorism drill conducted quarterly by the allies. The US Forces Korea did not respond to a request for comment. Watch: North Korea rules out Denuclearisation Talks The rare release of the photos by the US Defense Visual Information Distribution Service comes ahead of a year-end deadline set by Pyongyang for Washington to soften its stance in stalled talks. The service is operated by an arm of the US Department of Defence. South Korea's Chosun Ilbo newspaper, which first reported the training, said the drills were intended to simulate a scenario to capture North Korean executives. Sources identified a man in military uniforms akin to that of North Korea collapse upon a gunshot from one of the commandos, Chosun Ilbo said. Pyongyang has in the past accused the United States and South Korea of seeking to topple its regime with "hostile policy", while slamming their regular joint military exercises as plots to "decapitate" its leadership and a rehearsal for war. South Korea under a previous administration had planned to launch a special unit in 2017 tasked with "removing or paralysing" North Korea's top command in the event of a war. Tension has been growing in recent weeks as North Korea conducts a series of weapons tests and waged a war of words with US President Donald Trump in an apparent bid to underscore its year-end deadline. Earlier this month, Trump said the United States reserved the right to use military force against North Korea. General Charles Brown, commander of US Pacific Air Forces, said last week the US military could "dust off pretty quickly and be ready to use" options it had developed during the height of tensions in 2017.

South Korea, US commandos practice raiding enemy facility as North Korea tensions rise

At least 15 C-60 commandos, including a woman, and a police driver were killed on Wednesday in Kurkheda area of Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district after a powerful explosion triggered by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/naxals-torch-25-vehicles-of-road-construction-company-in-maharashtras-gadchiroli-district-police-215004">Naxalites</a> blew up their vehicle.&nbsp;

Those killed were members of the Quick Response Team (QRT) of Gadchiroli police, which was on way to inspect a fleet of torched vehicles belonging to a road construction contractor, police said.&nbsp;

The blast took place between Jamborkheda and Lendhari, according to local police.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to strongly condemn the attack.

"Strongly condemn the despicable attack on our security personnel in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. I salute all the brave personnel. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. My thoughts and solidarity are with the bereaved families. The perpetrators of such violence will not be spared," PM Modi said.

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Strongly condemn the despicable attack on our security personnel in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. I salute all the brave personnel. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. My thoughts &amp; solidarity are with the bereaved families. The perpetrators of such violence will not be spared.
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1123512982741241856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis gave details of the incident in his post on Twitter.

"Anguished to know that our 16 police personnel from Gadchiroli C-60 force got martyred in a cowardly attack by Naxals today. My thoughts and prayers are with the martyrs` families. I`m in touch with DGP and Gadchiroli SP," Fadnavis tweeted.

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Anguished to know that our 16 police personnel from Gadchiroli C-60 force got martyred in a cowardly attack by naxals today. 
My thoughts and prayers are with the martyrs’ families. 
I’m in touch with DGP and Gadchiroli SP.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gadchiroli?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gadchiroli</a>
— Chowkidar Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dev_Fadnavis/status/1123513779956772865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh called the attack on the Maharashtra Police personnel as "an act of cowardice and desperation"."We are extremely proud of the valour of our police personnel. Their supreme sacrifice while serving the nation will not go in vain. My deepest condolences to their families," Singh tweeted.

He also said that he had spoken to chief minister Fadnavis and was providing all assistance needed by the state government."Ministry of Home Affairs is in constant touch with the state administration," Singh said in another tweet.

Security forces have been fighting Maoists rebels for decades in several areas, in an insurgency that has killed tens of thousands.

Earlier today, Naxals allegedly set ablaze 27 machines and vehicles at a road construction site in Kurkheda of Gadchiroli district. On April 11, an encounter broke out between CRPF personnel and Naxals in the Naxal affected district of Gadchiroli.

At least 15 C-60 commandos, including a woman, and a police driver were killed on Wednesday in Kurkheda area of Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district after a powerful explosion triggered by the Naxalites blew up their vehicle.

At least 15 C-60 commandos, including a woman, and a police driver were killed on Wednesday in Kurkheda area of Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district after a powerful explosion triggered by the Naxalites blew up their vehicle. Those killed were members of the Quick Response Team (QRT) of Gadchiroli police, which was on way to inspect a fleet of torched vehicles belonging to a road construction contractor, police said. The blast took place between Jamborkheda and Lendhari, according to local police. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to strongly condemn the attack. "Strongly condemn the despicable attack on our security personnel in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. I salute all the brave personnel. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. My thoughts and solidarity are with the bereaved families. The perpetrators of such violence will not be spared," PM Modi said. Strongly condemn the despicable attack on our security personnel in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. I salute all the brave personnel. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. My thoughts & solidarity are with the bereaved families. The perpetrators of such violence will not be spared. — Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 1, 2019 × Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis gave details of the incident in his post on Twitter. "Anguished to know that our 16 police personnel from Gadchiroli C-60 force got martyred in a cowardly attack by Naxals today. My thoughts and prayers are with the martyrs` families. I`m in touch with DGP and Gadchiroli SP," Fadnavis tweeted. Anguished to know that our 16 police personnel from Gadchiroli C-60 force got martyred in a cowardly attack by naxals today. My thoughts and prayers are with the martyrs’ families. I’m in touch with DGP and Gadchiroli SP.#Gadchiroli — Chowkidar Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) May 1, 2019 × Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh called the attack on the Maharashtra Police personnel as "an act of cowardice and desperation"."We are extremely proud of the valour of our police personnel. Their supreme sacrifice while serving the nation will not go in vain. My deepest condolences to their families," Singh tweeted. He also said that he had spoken to chief minister Fadnavis and was providing all assistance needed by the state government."Ministry of Home Affairs is in constant touch with the state administration," Singh said in another tweet. Security forces have been fighting Maoists rebels for decades in several areas, in an insurgency that has killed tens of thousands. Earlier today, Naxals allegedly set ablaze 27 machines and vehicles at a road construction site in Kurkheda of Gadchiroli district. On April 11, an encounter broke out between CRPF personnel and Naxals in the Naxal affected district of Gadchiroli.

Gadchiroli Naxal attack: 15 commandos, police driver killed; combing operation underway

Paramilitary commandos may soon be deployed to guard the Indian Embassy and diplomatic staff in war-ravaged Iraq, following threats from the banned Islamic State (ISIS) terror group, officials said.

An in-principle approval for the deployment of an armed squad at the complex located in the Al Mansour area of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad has been accorded by the Union ministries of home and external affairs, they said.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been tasked to provide its best combat personnel for the job.

They said that the commandos will have a specific task of securing the Embassy, its diplomatic staff and their families against terror threats.

&quot;Given the constant threat of the ISIS terror group in Iraq, it was being discussed for a long time that the Indian Embassy there should have a professional security cover,&quot; a senior official privy to the development said.

&quot;The effort to send the paramilitary commandos is a move in that direction. However, the final approval for stationing the squad in Baghdad is yet to be given by the government,&quot; the official said.

While there has be no targeted hit at the Indian mission in Baghdad, the city has witnessed suicide attacks and bombings by the ISIS terrorists.

The proposed contingent would not only guard the Embassy complex, but also provide a proximate security cover to senior diplomats and staffers every time they move out of the facility, he said.

Once cleared, the proposed contingent will be about 45-50 personnel strong and headed by a deputy commandant (DC) rank officer of the CRPF.

The commandos, who are highly motivated, having done a stint in the anti-Naxal operations, the forces&#39; elite commando squad for jungle warfare CoBRA and who have been the &quot;best performers&quot; will be part of the proposed contingent, the official said.

The personnel will have to be adept in handling improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and in conducting special operations and hostage rescue tasks, it said.

This will be the first such overseas task for the about 3-lakh personnel strong paramilitary force. While the Indian Embassy in Afghanistan is guarded by the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), those in Nepal and Colombo have the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Border Security Force (BF) contingents respectively.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is the country&#39;s largest paramilitary and is primarily designated as the lead internal security and anti-Maoist operations conducting force.&nbsp;

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been tasked to provide its best combat personnel for the job

Paramilitary commandos may soon be deployed to guard the Indian Embassy and diplomatic staff in war-ravaged Iraq, following threats from the banned Islamic State (ISIS) terror group, officials said. An in-principle approval for the deployment of an armed squad at the complex located in the Al Mansour area of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad has been accorded by the Union ministries of home and external affairs, they said. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been tasked to provide its best combat personnel for the job. They said that the commandos will have a specific task of securing the Embassy, its diplomatic staff and their families against terror threats. "Given the constant threat of the ISIS terror group in Iraq, it was being discussed for a long time that the Indian Embassy there should have a professional security cover," a senior official privy to the development said. "The effort to send the paramilitary commandos is a move in that direction. However, the final approval for stationing the squad in Baghdad is yet to be given by the government," the official said. While there has be no targeted hit at the Indian mission in Baghdad, the city has witnessed suicide attacks and bombings by the ISIS terrorists. The proposed contingent would not only guard the Embassy complex, but also provide a proximate security cover to senior diplomats and staffers every time they move out of the facility, he said. Once cleared, the proposed contingent will be about 45-50 personnel strong and headed by a deputy commandant (DC) rank officer of the CRPF. The commandos, who are highly motivated, having done a stint in the anti-Naxal operations, the forces' elite commando squad for jungle warfare CoBRA and who have been the "best performers" will be part of the proposed contingent, the official said. The personnel will have to be adept in handling improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and in conducting special operations and hostage rescue tasks, it said. This will be the first such overseas task for the about 3-lakh personnel strong paramilitary force. While the Indian Embassy in Afghanistan is guarded by the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), those in Nepal and Colombo have the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Border Security Force (BF) contingents respectively. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is the country's largest paramilitary and is primarily designated as the lead internal security and anti-Maoist operations conducting force.

India may send commandos to guard its embassy in Iraq

Bangladeshi troops stormed a cafe popular with foreigners in the diplomatic zone of the capital Dhaka after suspected Islamist militants took dozens hostage. 
 
The siege ended on Saturday morning with six gunmen killed, 13 hostages freed, one suspected terrorist taken alive and several casualties. 
 
 
What happened? 
 
Gunmen burst into a restaurant in the diplomatic quarter of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka around 9:20pm on Friday night. 
 
They set off explosives, shouting &quot;Allahu Akbar&quot; (God is Greater). 
 
During the ensuing exhange of fire with the police, the gunmen took up to 40 hostages, including foreigners and two police officers died. 
 
Following a 10-hour stand-off, commandos stormed the restaurant early Saturday morning, freeing several hostages. 
 
 
Where did it happen? 
 
The Holey Artisan Bakery restaurant is a western-style cafe situated on Road 79 in Dhaka&#39;s affluent Gulshan quarter. 
 
The diplomatic zone is home to expatriate workers and foreign missions, as well as restaurants, upmarket malls and members&#39; clubs. 
 
The incident took place near the city&#39;s Nordic Club and the Qatar embassy. 
 
 
Who is behind the attack? 
 
About four hours after the attack, the Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility, via an IS-affiliated news agency, Amaq. 
 
It later issued a number of photographs of what it said were scenes from inside the cafe showing what appeared to be several bodies lying in pools of blood. 
 
The news agency claimed that more than 20 people of different nationalities were killed. 
 
 
Who are the hostages? 
 
Little is known about the hostages, however, Italy&#39;s ambassador to Bangladesh Mario Palma told Italian state television that seven Italians are among the captives. 
 
Sri Lanka said two of its nationals were among the hostages, but had been freed. 
 
Tokyo said one Japanese was among those rescued, Jiji Press reported. 
 
 
Is this kind of attack common? 
 
The attack follows a series of murders of foreigners, religious minorities and secular activists in Bangladesh, blamed on or claimed by Islamist militants. For instance, Cesare Tavella, an Italian aid worker was shot dead in Gulshan last September, in an attack claimed by Islamic State. 
 
And in 2012 a Saudi Arabian diplomat was shot dead in the diplomatic zone. 
 
However, Friday&#39;s attack appears to have been on a much bigger scale and the first time that people were held hostage. 
 
The government and police deny that Islamic State is active in Bangladesh and blame homegrown militants for the killings. 
 
(AFP)

It ended 10 hours after it began with six gunmen killed, 13 hostages freed, one suspected terrorist taken alive and several casualties

Bangladeshi troops stormed a cafe popular with foreigners in the diplomatic zone of the capital Dhaka after suspected Islamist militants took dozens hostage. The siege ended on Saturday morning with six gunmen killed, 13 hostages freed, one suspected terrorist taken alive and several casualties. What happened? Gunmen burst into a restaurant in the diplomatic quarter of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka around 9:20pm on Friday night. They set off explosives, shouting "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greater). During the ensuing exhange of fire with the police, the gunmen took up to 40 hostages, including foreigners and two police officers died. Following a 10-hour stand-off, commandos stormed the restaurant early Saturday morning, freeing several hostages. Where did it happen? The Holey Artisan Bakery restaurant is a western-style cafe situated on Road 79 in Dhaka's affluent Gulshan quarter. The diplomatic zone is home to expatriate workers and foreign missions, as well as restaurants, upmarket malls and members' clubs. The incident took place near the city's Nordic Club and the Qatar embassy. Who is behind the attack? About four hours after the attack, the Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility, via an IS-affiliated news agency, Amaq. It later issued a number of photographs of what it said were scenes from inside the cafe showing what appeared to be several bodies lying in pools of blood. The news agency claimed that more than 20 people of different nationalities were killed. Who are the hostages? Little is known about the hostages, however, Italy's ambassador to Bangladesh Mario Palma told Italian state television that seven Italians are among the captives. Sri Lanka said two of its nationals were among the hostages, but had been freed. Tokyo said one Japanese was among those rescued, Jiji Press reported. Is this kind of attack common? The attack follows a series of murders of foreigners, religious minorities and secular activists in Bangladesh, blamed on or claimed by Islamist militants. For instance, Cesare Tavella, an Italian aid worker was shot dead in Gulshan last September, in an attack claimed by Islamic State. And in 2012 a Saudi Arabian diplomat was shot dead in the diplomatic zone. However, Friday's attack appears to have been on a much bigger scale and the first time that people were held hostage. The government and police deny that Islamic State is active in Bangladesh and blame homegrown militants for the killings. (AFP)

The Dhaka siege: What, where, and who

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