Hundreds of students missing in northwestern Nigeria's Katsina state, after a raid by a gunman. According to sources, gunmen storm government secondary school in the region. The local police have said that the school was attacked by the bandits who use AK-47 Rifles

Students who escaped mass kidnapping in Nigeria tell of their ordeal

The gunmen attacked Friday in a ceremony in the Afghan capital, Kabul, where a top Afghan political leader, Abdullah Abdullah, was present but escaped unharmed. 30 people died in this attack. This attack in Kabul comes days after the Afghan peace deal.

WION Fineprint: Attack in Kabul took place days after the Afghan peace deal

The gunmen attacked Friday in a ceremony in the Afghan capital, Kabul, where a top Afghan political leader, Abdullah Abdullah, was present but escaped unharmed. 27 people died in this attack.

Afghan political leader Abdullah survives of attack in Kabul ceremony, 27 dies

At least eight people were killed on February 19 in two shooting incidents in a German city, special forces were chasing the gunmen who fled in a car, police said.

Gunmen rampage kills at least 8 people in Germany

At least two persons have been killed and three others suffered injuries after gunmen attack an Afghan security forces vehicle in Pul-e-Charkhi area of Kabul on Monday, the government confirmed. 
 
Gunmen opened fire at the security vehicle and fled from the area, reported Tolo News. 
 
The police are investigating the incident. 
 
No group has so far taken the responsibility of the attack.

At least two persons have been killed and three others suffered injuries after gunmen attack an Afghan security forces vehicle in Pul-e-Charkhi area of Kabul on Monday, the government confirmed.

At least two persons have been killed and three others suffered injuries after gunmen attack an Afghan security forces vehicle in Pul-e-Charkhi area of Kabul on Monday, the government confirmed. Gunmen opened fire at the security vehicle and fled from the area, reported Tolo News. The police are investigating the incident. No group has so far taken the responsibility of the attack.

Two killed, three injured after gunmen open fire at army vehicle in Kabul

A local prosecutor was killed in the central Afghan province of Ghor in an attack by unidentified gunmen, the provincial governor's spokesman Abdul Hai Khatibi told Sputnik on Monday.

The province's appellate court prosecutor Abdul Momin Nusrat was killed along with his brother on Sunday as they were on their way between the town of Firuzkoh and the village of Bahari.

Two employees of a local education department were also injured in the attack, according to the provincial spokesman.

This comes a day after Taliban militants gunned down the governor of the Jaghatu district of Afghanistan's Wardak, Raz Mohammad Waziri.

The situation in Afghanistan has been tense for decades as the government forces fight the radical Taliban movement, with all the peace initiatives having failed so far.

The ongoing instability has resulted in the rise of other extremist groups across the country, including the Islamic State terrorist group.

A local prosecutor was killed in the central Afghan province of Ghor in an attack by unidentified gunmen, the provincial governor's spokesman Abdul Hai Khatibi told Sputnik on Monday.

A local prosecutor was killed in the central Afghan province of Ghor in an attack by unidentified gunmen, the provincial governor's spokesman Abdul Hai Khatibi told Sputnik on Monday. The province's appellate court prosecutor Abdul Momin Nusrat was killed along with his brother on Sunday as they were on their way between the town of Firuzkoh and the village of Bahari. Two employees of a local education department were also injured in the attack, according to the provincial spokesman. This comes a day after Taliban militants gunned down the governor of the Jaghatu district of Afghanistan's Wardak, Raz Mohammad Waziri. The situation in Afghanistan has been tense for decades as the government forces fight the radical Taliban movement, with all the peace initiatives having failed so far. The ongoing instability has resulted in the rise of other extremist groups across the country, including the Islamic State terrorist group.

Afghanistan: Unidentified gunmen kill prosecutor in Ghor Province

Gunmen killed a priest and five churchgoers during mass Sunday in an attack on a Catholic church in Dablo, northern Burkina Faso, security sources and local official said.

"Towards 9.00 am, during mass, armed individuals burst into the Catholic church," the mayor of Dablo, Ousmane Zongo, told AFP. "They started firing as the congregation tried to flee."

The gunmen managed to trap some of the worshippers, he added. "They killed five of them. The priest, who was celebrating mass, was also killed, bringing the number of dead to six."

The attackers set fire to the church, several shops and a small cafe before heading to the local health centre, which they looted and burnt the chief nurse's vehicle, said Zongo.&nbsp;

A security source said between 20 and 30 gunmen carried out the attack.

Sunday's attack was the latest of a series carried out against Christian churches in Burkina Faso.

Last Sunday, gunmen killed five people in an attack on a Protestant church in the small northern town of Silgadji.

Gunmen killed a priest and five churchgoers during mass Sunday in an attack on a Catholic church in Dablo, northern Burkina Faso, security sources and local official said.

Gunmen killed a priest and five churchgoers during mass Sunday in an attack on a Catholic church in Dablo, northern Burkina Faso, security sources and local official said. "Towards 9.00 am, during mass, armed individuals burst into the Catholic church," the mayor of Dablo, Ousmane Zongo, told AFP. "They started firing as the congregation tried to flee." The gunmen managed to trap some of the worshippers, he added. "They killed five of them. The priest, who was celebrating mass, was also killed, bringing the number of dead to six." The attackers set fire to the church, several shops and a small cafe before heading to the local health centre, which they looted and burnt the chief nurse's vehicle, said Zongo. A security source said between 20 and 30 gunmen carried out the attack. Sunday's attack was the latest of a series carried out against Christian churches in Burkina Faso. Last Sunday, gunmen killed five people in an attack on a Protestant church in the small northern town of Silgadji.

Gunmen kill six in Burkina Faso Catholic Church: Sources

Three heavily-armed militants on Saturday stormed a luxury hotel in Pakistan's port city of Gwadar in the restive Balochistan province, leading to a fierce gunbattle in which four persons including the attackers were killed, police said.

The armed men entered the upscale Pearl Continental (PC) Hotel and opened random firing, a senior police official said.

They shot dead a guard at the entrance, the army's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

A shootout between the militants and the security forces broke out at the hotel as the anti-terrorism force, the Army and the Frontier Corps were called in, Gwadar Station House Officer (SHO) Aslam Bangulzai said.

Balochistan Home Minister Ziaullah Langov said that all the three attackers were killed by the security forces.

He said that some of the guests in the hotel were also injured but their number was not immediately known.

The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility of the attack which it said was carried out by the militants linked with its Majeed Brigade group.

Locals said several gunshots were heard after the terrorists entered the luxury hotel.

Gwadar port is one of the focal points of the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with many Chinese workers from other provinces of Pakistan working at the port.

The hotel, frequented by business as well as leisure travellers, is located on the Koh-e-Batil hill, south of West Bay on Fish Harbour road in Gwadar.

All foreign and local guests staying at the hotel had been safely evacuated, Express Tribune quoted Balochistan Information Minister Zahoor Buledi as saying.

"At around 4:50 pm (local time) we got reports that there are two to there armed men in PC Hotel," SHO Bangulzai said.

"Two to three gunmen had first fired at and then entered the hotel," Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohsin Hassan Butt said.

"A clearance operation was going on," a spokesman of the army said. 
The provincial police chief further said that "the attackers may have come in a boat to launch the attack".

Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani condemned "the terrorists attack" on PC Hotel, and instructed the authorities to "ensure the safety of all inside the hotel", Dawn news reported.

He called for a "well planned and strong action against the terrorists", adding that he is "in touch with police and local administration" regarding the situation.

Balochistan, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, is Pakistan's largest and poorest province, rife with ethnic, sectarian and separatist insurgencies.

On April 18, unidentified gunmen donning uniforms of paramilitary soldiers massacred at least 14 passengers, including Pakistan Navy personnel, after forcing them to disembark from buses on a highway in Balochistan. 
China is investing heavily in Balochistan under the CPEC.

The CPEC, launched in 2015, is a planned network of roads, railways and energy projects linking China's resource-rich Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with Pakistan's strategic Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea.

The BLA is one of the most-organised terrorist group of Baloch nationalists fighting against security forces. The group was also involved in the terrorist attack at the Chinese consulate in Karachi last year.&nbsp;

Three heavily-armed militants on Saturday stormed a luxury hotel in Pakistan's port city of Gwadar in the restive Balochistan province, leading to a fierce gunbattle in which four persons including the attackers were killed, police said.

Three heavily-armed militants on Saturday stormed a luxury hotel in Pakistan's port city of Gwadar in the restive Balochistan province, leading to a fierce gunbattle in which four persons including the attackers were killed, police said. The armed men entered the upscale Pearl Continental (PC) Hotel and opened random firing, a senior police official said. They shot dead a guard at the entrance, the army's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. A shootout between the militants and the security forces broke out at the hotel as the anti-terrorism force, the Army and the Frontier Corps were called in, Gwadar Station House Officer (SHO) Aslam Bangulzai said. Balochistan Home Minister Ziaullah Langov said that all the three attackers were killed by the security forces. He said that some of the guests in the hotel were also injured but their number was not immediately known. The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility of the attack which it said was carried out by the militants linked with its Majeed Brigade group. Locals said several gunshots were heard after the terrorists entered the luxury hotel. Gwadar port is one of the focal points of the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with many Chinese workers from other provinces of Pakistan working at the port. The hotel, frequented by business as well as leisure travellers, is located on the Koh-e-Batil hill, south of West Bay on Fish Harbour road in Gwadar. All foreign and local guests staying at the hotel had been safely evacuated, Express Tribune quoted Balochistan Information Minister Zahoor Buledi as saying. "At around 4:50 pm (local time) we got reports that there are two to there armed men in PC Hotel," SHO Bangulzai said. "Two to three gunmen had first fired at and then entered the hotel," Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohsin Hassan Butt said. "A clearance operation was going on," a spokesman of the army said. The provincial police chief further said that "the attackers may have come in a boat to launch the attack". Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani condemned "the terrorists attack" on PC Hotel, and instructed the authorities to "ensure the safety of all inside the hotel", Dawn news reported. He called for a "well planned and strong action against the terrorists", adding that he is "in touch with police and local administration" regarding the situation. Balochistan, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, is Pakistan's largest and poorest province, rife with ethnic, sectarian and separatist insurgencies. On April 18, unidentified gunmen donning uniforms of paramilitary soldiers massacred at least 14 passengers, including Pakistan Navy personnel, after forcing them to disembark from buses on a highway in Balochistan. China is investing heavily in Balochistan under the CPEC. The CPEC, launched in 2015, is a planned network of roads, railways and energy projects linking China's resource-rich Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with Pakistan's strategic Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea. The BLA is one of the most-organised terrorist group of Baloch nationalists fighting against security forces. The group was also involved in the terrorist attack at the Chinese consulate in Karachi last year.

4 killed as armed militants storm 5-star hotel in Pakistan's Gwadar port city: Police 

An Afghani journalist and a cultural adviser&nbsp;to the Parliament was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the eastern part of Kabul on Sunday.

Mina Mangal, who had worked as a news presenter for three local TV networks, was attacked by gunmen on Sunday morning, reported Tolo News.

One or possibly more assailants escaped from the scene, report saod.

Kabul police have launched an investigation.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Kabul police said it was not clear whether the murder was a terror act or the result of a personal dispute. Both Islamic State and Taliban militants regularly carry out attacks in the capital.

According to a report, a total of 15 journalists were killed in a series of bombings that began early this year, with nine of them in a single day.&nbsp;

An Afghani journalist and a cultural adviser to the Parliament was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the eastern part of Kabul on Sunday. Mina Mangal, who had worked as a news presenter for three local TV networks, was attacked by gunmen on Sunday morning, reported Tolo News.

An Afghani journalist and a cultural adviser to the Parliament was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the eastern part of Kabul on Sunday. Mina Mangal, who had worked as a news presenter for three local TV networks, was attacked by gunmen on Sunday morning, reported Tolo News. One or possibly more assailants escaped from the scene, report saod. Kabul police have launched an investigation. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Kabul police said it was not clear whether the murder was a terror act or the result of a personal dispute. Both Islamic State and Taliban militants regularly carry out attacks in the capital. According to a report, a total of 15 journalists were killed in a series of bombings that began early this year, with nine of them in a single day.

Afghanistan: Journalist shot dead by unidentified gunmen

At least 25 people were killed when armed men raided two villages in a northern Nigerian state wracked by cattle rustling and kidnapping for ransom, witnesses and the police said on Friday.

Gunmen on motorcycles on Wednesday invaded the villages of Gidan Halilu and Gidan Kaka in Birnin Magaji district of Zamfara state, they said.

"We lost 25 people in the attacks, which were carried out by cattle thieves who have been terrorising us for years," Usman Wadatau, a community leader in Gidan Halilu, told AFP.

"We lost 16 people in Gidan Halilu and nine in Gidan Kaka," he said.

Four of those killed in Gidan Halilu were volunteers from nearby Nassarawa Godel who had mobilised to help fight off the attackers, Gidan Kaka resident Bube Mada said.&nbsp;

In the first attack, which occurred around 1:00 pm (1200 GMT), the bandits opened fire on farmers harvesting sweet potatoes outside Gidan Halilu, killing nine, Mada told AFP.

"The gunmen left after the attack on the farm but returned around 5:00 pm when we were preparing the bodies of the victims for burial and opened fire on the mourners, killing three people," Wadatau said.

"Some people from our neighbours in Nassawa Godel mobilised to help but the attackers opened fire on them and killed four," he said.

"The gunmen moved to Gidan Kaka and shot dead nine residents," said Mada who supported Watadau's account.

Zamfara state police spokesman Mohammed Shehu confirmed the attacks but said only five people were killed.

"On getting to the scene, five corpses were recovered with one other person injured," Shehu said.

It is common in Nigeria for security personnel to give lower casualty figures.

Farming and herding communities in Zamfara have been terrorised for years by cattle thieves and kidnappers who raid villages, steal cows, abduct residents for ransom and burn homes.

The frequent attacks have prompted villages to form local militia for protection.

However, the villagers too are accused of carrying out extra-judicial killings of suspected bandits, leading to tit-for-tat violence.

In April, troops were deployed to Zamfara to fight the gangs and police banned the civilian militia in an attempt to curb the cycle of reprisals but the violence has continued.

Last month the police claimed to have killed 104 bandits in Birnin Magaji district during a clash in which 16 policemen were killed.

Early this month, an influential traditional ruler in the state called for civilian militia members to be given assault rifles to defend themselves.

At least 25 people were killed when armed men raided two villages in a northern Nigerian state wracked by cattle rustling and kidnapping for ransom, witnesses and the police said on Friday.

At least 25 people were killed when armed men raided two villages in a northern Nigerian state wracked by cattle rustling and kidnapping for ransom, witnesses and the police said on Friday. Gunmen on motorcycles on Wednesday invaded the villages of Gidan Halilu and Gidan Kaka in Birnin Magaji district of Zamfara state, they said. "We lost 25 people in the attacks, which were carried out by cattle thieves who have been terrorising us for years," Usman Wadatau, a community leader in Gidan Halilu, told AFP. "We lost 16 people in Gidan Halilu and nine in Gidan Kaka," he said. Four of those killed in Gidan Halilu were volunteers from nearby Nassarawa Godel who had mobilised to help fight off the attackers, Gidan Kaka resident Bube Mada said. In the first attack, which occurred around 1:00 pm (1200 GMT), the bandits opened fire on farmers harvesting sweet potatoes outside Gidan Halilu, killing nine, Mada told AFP. "The gunmen left after the attack on the farm but returned around 5:00 pm when we were preparing the bodies of the victims for burial and opened fire on the mourners, killing three people," Wadatau said. "Some people from our neighbours in Nassawa Godel mobilised to help but the attackers opened fire on them and killed four," he said. "The gunmen moved to Gidan Kaka and shot dead nine residents," said Mada who supported Watadau's account. Zamfara state police spokesman Mohammed Shehu confirmed the attacks but said only five people were killed. "On getting to the scene, five corpses were recovered with one other person injured," Shehu said. It is common in Nigeria for security personnel to give lower casualty figures. Farming and herding communities in Zamfara have been terrorised for years by cattle thieves and kidnappers who raid villages, steal cows, abduct residents for ransom and burn homes. The frequent attacks have prompted villages to form local militia for protection. However, the villagers too are accused of carrying out extra-judicial killings of suspected bandits, leading to tit-for-tat violence. In April, troops were deployed to Zamfara to fight the gangs and police banned the civilian militia in an attempt to curb the cycle of reprisals but the violence has continued. Last month the police claimed to have killed 104 bandits in Birnin Magaji district during a clash in which 16 policemen were killed. Early this month, an influential traditional ruler in the state called for civilian militia members to be given assault rifles to defend themselves.

Gunmen kill 25 in northern Nigeria village raids

Gunmen shot dead six traffic police in the central Mexican city of Salamanca&nbsp;on Friday, authorities said, one of the deadliest attacks on security forces in recent months.

The six were carrying out routine checks when they were killed, Guillermo Maldonado, a senior Salamanca city official, said in a video broadcast on Mexican television.

The motive for the daylight attack was not clear.

Broadcaster Televisa said at least three gunmen in a white vehicle opened fire on the unarmed victims, then fled the scene.

Homicides reached record levels last year in Mexico, and have climbed further this year, official data show.

Salamanca is home to one of state oil firm Pemex's six refineries, which have been plagued by rising fuel theft and violence between rival criminal gangs.

Separately, the newspaper Reforma and broadcaster Milenio said that five people had been shot dead in the municipality of Leonardo Bravo in the violent southwestern state of Guerrero, according to state security spokesman Roberto Alvarez.

Reforma said the five were all members of one family.

Authorities in the state could not immediately be reached for comment.

The motive for the daylight attack was not clear

Gunmen shot dead six traffic police in the central Mexican city of Salamanca on Friday, authorities said, one of the deadliest attacks on security forces in recent months. The six were carrying out routine checks when they were killed, Guillermo Maldonado, a senior Salamanca city official, said in a video broadcast on Mexican television. The motive for the daylight attack was not clear. Broadcaster Televisa said at least three gunmen in a white vehicle opened fire on the unarmed victims, then fled the scene. Homicides reached record levels last year in Mexico, and have climbed further this year, official data show. Salamanca is home to one of state oil firm Pemex's six refineries, which have been plagued by rising fuel theft and violence between rival criminal gangs. Separately, the newspaper Reforma and broadcaster Milenio said that five people had been shot dead in the municipality of Leonardo Bravo in the violent southwestern state of Guerrero, according to state security spokesman Roberto Alvarez. Reforma said the five were all members of one family. Authorities in the state could not immediately be reached for comment.

Gunmen shot dead six traffic police in the central Mexican city

Gunmen fatally shot three local tourists and their driver in a tribal region along the Afghanistan border, an official said on Sunday.

Ikhlaq Bangash, deputy administrator in South Waziristan, said a group of tourists from Dera Ismail Khan were camping in the Momi Karam area when the gunmen struck Friday night.

Bangash said the attackers torched the camp after shooting the tourists and fleeing.

No group immediately claimed responsibility, but Islamic militants have long operated along the porous border.

On Saturday, in the southwestern city of Quetta, gunmen attacked an electronics shop and fatally shot two shopkeepers, both of them minority Hazara Shiites, said Mohammad Alam, an area police officer.

Alam said the assailants escaped on motorcycles. He said police were looking for the attackers.

It was the sixth attack in recent months targeting Shiites in Quetta. Last week, authorities said gunmen shot dead two local officials in Shiite community organizations and wounded a third. A Shiite shopkeeper was killed in a drive-by shooting last week.

No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack, but Sunni extremists, who view Shiites as apostates, have claimed previous assaults.

No group immediately claimed responsibility, but Islamic militants have long operated along the porous border.

Gunmen fatally shot three local tourists and their driver in a tribal region along the Afghanistan border, an official said on Sunday. Ikhlaq Bangash, deputy administrator in South Waziristan, said a group of tourists from Dera Ismail Khan were camping in the Momi Karam area when the gunmen struck Friday night. Bangash said the attackers torched the camp after shooting the tourists and fleeing. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but Islamic militants have long operated along the porous border. On Saturday, in the southwestern city of Quetta, gunmen attacked an electronics shop and fatally shot two shopkeepers, both of them minority Hazara Shiites, said Mohammad Alam, an area police officer. Alam said the assailants escaped on motorcycles. He said police were looking for the attackers. It was the sixth attack in recent months targeting Shiites in Quetta. Last week, authorities said gunmen shot dead two local officials in Shiite community organizations and wounded a third. A Shiite shopkeeper was killed in a drive-by shooting last week. No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack, but Sunni extremists, who view Shiites as apostates, have claimed previous assaults.

Gunmen kill 4 in northwestern Pakistan along Afghan border

Two members of Pakistan's beleaguered Christian community were killed on Sunday in the country's southwest when unknown gunmen opened fire on a small group that had just left a local church, police officials said.

The churchgoers were on their way home in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan's Baluchistan province, when two men on a motorcycle began shooting at them, local police official Ataullah Shah told Reuters.

Eight wounded were taken to hospital and two people were pronounced dead.

Television pictures showed members of Quetta's Christian community burning car and bicycle tyres while protesting the shooting.

At the hospital, people screamed and cried as the two bodies were brought in on a stretcher covered with white sheets.

Baluchistan, a region bordering Iran as well as Afghanistan, is plagued by violence by Sunni Islamist sectarian groups linked to the Taliban, al Qaeda and Islamic State. It also has an indigenous ethnic Baloch insurgency fighting the central government.

Islamic State has created a branch in Pakistan and Afghanistan in recent years mostly by recruiting among established militants. Its followers have claimed some of Pakistan's most deadly recent attacks.

This month four members of a Christian family were gunned down in Quetta a day after Easter, in what police officials called a "targeted attack".

In December two suicide bombers stormed a packed church in southwestern Pakistan, killing at least 10 people and wounding up to 56. Islamic State claimed both attacks.

Rome's ancient Colosseum was lit in red for an evening in February in solidarity with persecuted Christians, particularly Asia Bibi, a Catholic woman who has been living on death row in Pakistan since 2010, when she was condemned for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Islam.

The attack took place in Quetta. The Christians had just walked out of a local church

Two members of Pakistan's beleaguered Christian community were killed on Sunday in the country's southwest when unknown gunmen opened fire on a small group that had just left a local church, police officials said. The churchgoers were on their way home in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan's Baluchistan province, when two men on a motorcycle began shooting at them, local police official Ataullah Shah told Reuters. Eight wounded were taken to hospital and two people were pronounced dead. Television pictures showed members of Quetta's Christian community burning car and bicycle tyres while protesting the shooting. At the hospital, people screamed and cried as the two bodies were brought in on a stretcher covered with white sheets. Baluchistan, a region bordering Iran as well as Afghanistan, is plagued by violence by Sunni Islamist sectarian groups linked to the Taliban, al Qaeda and Islamic State. It also has an indigenous ethnic Baloch insurgency fighting the central government. Islamic State has created a branch in Pakistan and Afghanistan in recent years mostly by recruiting among established militants. Its followers have claimed some of Pakistan's most deadly recent attacks. This month four members of a Christian family were gunned down in Quetta a day after Easter, in what police officials called a "targeted attack". In December two suicide bombers stormed a packed church in southwestern Pakistan, killing at least 10 people and wounding up to 56. Islamic State claimed both attacks. Rome's ancient Colosseum was lit in red for an evening in February in solidarity with persecuted Christians, particularly Asia Bibi, a Catholic woman who has been living on death row in Pakistan since 2010, when she was condemned for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Islam.

Gunmen in Pakistan kill two Christians, wound 6 in drive-by shooting

Unidentified gunmen opened fire at the residence of Pakistan's Supreme Court judge Ijaz ul Ahsan here in two separate incidents only hours apart, media reports said today.

Justice Ahsan was part of a five-member apex court bench that heard the high-profile Panamagate case last year that led to the disqualification of the then prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

A statement by the apex court said that the unidentified gunmen opened fire at Justice Ahsan's Model Town residence first late last night and then again early this morning.

No casualties were reported in the attacks, Dawn reported.

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar visited the residence of the Justice Ahsan, and called the Punjab inspector general to probe the incidents. The chief justice is said to be overseeing the situation himself, the paper said.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif ordered immediate arrests of the attackers. He also asked the Punjab inspector general (IG) to submit a report on the incident.

Security personnel, including Rangers, have been deployed outside the residence of the judge.

"This is a highly condemnable incident. We are trying our best to arrest the attackers and a thorough investigation is underway," Punjab government spokesman Malik Ahmad Khan was quoted as saying.

He said that additional security has been provided to the Supreme Court judge.

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) condemned the firing incidents and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.

Pakistan People's Party co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari termed the attacks alarming and called for a judicial probe.

Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaaf chief Imran Khan "strongly condemned" the incidents and claimed that they were "tactics to pressurise senior judiciary".

Justice Ahsan was appointed as the monitoring judge to supervise and monitor the implementation of the Panamagate case verdict and oversee the ongoing proceedings by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and accountability courts against the Sharif family members and Ishaq Dar.

He was also part of the three-member bench hearing 17 petitions against the controversial Elections Act 2017. The bench had ruled that an individual disqualified under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution cannot serve as head of a political party, leading to Sharif losing his position as the party chief.&nbsp

Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan was part of a five-member apex court bench that heard the high-profile Panamagate case last year that led to the disqualification of the then prime minister Nawaz Sharif

Unidentified gunmen opened fire at the residence of Pakistan's Supreme Court judge Ijaz ul Ahsan here in two separate incidents only hours apart, media reports said today. Justice Ahsan was part of a five-member apex court bench that heard the high-profile Panamagate case last year that led to the disqualification of the then prime minister Nawaz Sharif. A statement by the apex court said that the unidentified gunmen opened fire at Justice Ahsan's Model Town residence first late last night and then again early this morning. No casualties were reported in the attacks, Dawn reported. Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar visited the residence of the Justice Ahsan, and called the Punjab inspector general to probe the incidents. The chief justice is said to be overseeing the situation himself, the paper said. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif ordered immediate arrests of the attackers. He also asked the Punjab inspector general (IG) to submit a report on the incident. Security personnel, including Rangers, have been deployed outside the residence of the judge. "This is a highly condemnable incident. We are trying our best to arrest the attackers and a thorough investigation is underway," Punjab government spokesman Malik Ahmad Khan was quoted as saying. He said that additional security has been provided to the Supreme Court judge. The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) condemned the firing incidents and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits. Pakistan People's Party co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari termed the attacks alarming and called for a judicial probe. Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaaf chief Imran Khan "strongly condemned" the incidents and claimed that they were "tactics to pressurise senior judiciary". Justice Ahsan was appointed as the monitoring judge to supervise and monitor the implementation of the Panamagate case verdict and oversee the ongoing proceedings by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and accountability courts against the Sharif family members and Ishaq Dar. He was also part of the three-member bench hearing 17 petitions against the controversial Elections Act 2017. The bench had ruled that an individual disqualified under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution cannot serve as head of a political party, leading to Sharif losing his position as the party chief.

Pakistan: Gunmen open fire at home of Supreme Court judge

Nine people, including four of a family from the minority Christian community in Pakistan, were killed after gunmen carried out two separate attacks in Quetta city in the south-western Balochistan province, police said.

Both the attacks took place yesterday, they said.

The ISIS claimed responsibility for the first attack in which unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on a rickshaw in which a Christian family was travelling on Quetta's Shah Zaman road.

All four died on the spot while a woman was injured and rushed to a hospital, Provincial Police Chief Moazzam Jah Ansari said, adding that her father and three cousins were killed in the firing.

The attack on the Christians, he said, appeared to be a targeted attack.

"We are investigating whether it was a targeted attack due to personal enmity or sectarian reasons," he said.

The Christians on Sunday had celebrated Easter in Pakistan and the family had come to celebrate with their relatives from Lahore.

Shortly after the attack on the Christian family in the evening, two groups clashed with each other in Quetta's Qambrani road leaving five people dead and nine others injured.

The clash erupted allegedly after members of the minority Shia Muslim Hazara community held protests in Quetta to protest the targeted killing of a Hazara man on Sunday.

Hazara community members with their distinctive looks have come under several terror attacks in recent years in Baluchistan.

The Islamic State group claimed the attack on the Christians in a statement carried by its Aamaq news agency. It was unclear who was behind the other attack.

All four died on the spot while a woman was injured and rushed to a hospital

Nine people, including four of a family from the minority Christian community in Pakistan, were killed after gunmen carried out two separate attacks in Quetta city in the south-western Balochistan province, police said. Both the attacks took place yesterday, they said. The ISIS claimed responsibility for the first attack in which unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on a rickshaw in which a Christian family was travelling on Quetta's Shah Zaman road. All four died on the spot while a woman was injured and rushed to a hospital, Provincial Police Chief Moazzam Jah Ansari said, adding that her father and three cousins were killed in the firing. The attack on the Christians, he said, appeared to be a targeted attack. "We are investigating whether it was a targeted attack due to personal enmity or sectarian reasons," he said. The Christians on Sunday had celebrated Easter in Pakistan and the family had come to celebrate with their relatives from Lahore. Shortly after the attack on the Christian family in the evening, two groups clashed with each other in Quetta's Qambrani road leaving five people dead and nine others injured. The clash erupted allegedly after members of the minority Shia Muslim Hazara community held protests in Quetta to protest the targeted killing of a Hazara man on Sunday. Hazara community members with their distinctive looks have come under several terror attacks in recent years in Baluchistan. The Islamic State group claimed the attack on the Christians in a statement carried by its Aamaq news agency. It was unclear who was behind the other attack.

Pakistan: Gunmen kill 9 in twin attacks

By

Khalid Hussain&nbsp; 

On Thursday evening terrorits struck at three different places in south Kashmir.

First the terrorists targeted an army patrol which came under attack in Shopian area. No casualties was reported in the attack.

In the second incident, a Special police officer (SPO) and his wife were shot at in Anantnag district. He later succumbed to injuries while his wife continues to remain critical.

Reports said that suspected terrorists barged into the home of SPO Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh at Katoo Wapzan villlage of Dashnipora belt in Bijbehara and killed him

Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh's wife was injured. She was immediately rushed to sub-district hospital Bijbehara where her condition is reportedly critical.

In the third incident in Kulgam, a civilian was fired at by unknown gunmen.

The gunmen fired at a local in Chauncer, Kulgam. He reportedly received a bullet in his leg and was shifted to hospital.

Militants strike at three different places in south kashmir

By Khalid Hussain On Thursday evening terrorits struck at three different places in south Kashmir. First the terrorists targeted an army patrol which came under attack in Shopian area. No casualties was reported in the attack. In the second incident, a Special police officer (SPO) and his wife were shot at in Anantnag district. He later succumbed to injuries while his wife continues to remain critical. Reports said that suspected terrorists barged into the home of SPO Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh at Katoo Wapzan villlage of Dashnipora belt in Bijbehara and killed him Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh's wife was injured. She was immediately rushed to sub-district hospital Bijbehara where her condition is reportedly critical. In the third incident in Kulgam, a civilian was fired at by unknown gunmen. The gunmen fired at a local in Chauncer, Kulgam. He reportedly received a bullet in his leg and was shifted to hospital.

Terrorists strike at three places in south Kashmir; 1 policeman killed

Gunmen believed to be cattle thieves killed 15 herders in the latest bout of violence in northern Nigeria's herding communities, police and a local official said Thursday.&nbsp;

"Armed bandits attacked Bawon-Daji village yesterday and killed 15 people," the police spokesman for Zamfara state, Muhammad Shehu, told AFP.&nbsp;

His account was corroborated by a senior local government official, Gado Anka.

Anka told AFP motorcycle-riding gunmen stormed the remote village in Anka district around 1:00 pm (1200GMT), shooting dead 12 residents before fleeing to a hideout in the bush.&nbsp;

"They returned two hours later and attacked mourners during the funeral of the victims in the cemetery, killing three more and injuring several others," he said.&nbsp;

Rural communities in the agrarian state are under siege from gangs who kill, loot and torching homes.&nbsp;

This has prompted villages to form vigilante groups -- which in turn are often accused of extra-judicial killings of suspected cattle thieves, prompting deadly reprisals by the gangs.&nbsp;

It was not clear if the latest killings were as a result of reprisals.&nbsp;

In February, dozens of people were killed when gunmen opened fire on traders and villagers at Birane, in the Zurmi area of the state.&nbsp;

Gunmen believed to be cattle thieves killed 15 herders in the latest bout of violence in northern Nigeria's herding communities, police and a local official said Thursday

Gunmen believed to be cattle thieves killed 15 herders in the latest bout of violence in northern Nigeria's herding communities, police and a local official said Thursday. "Armed bandits attacked Bawon-Daji village yesterday and killed 15 people," the police spokesman for Zamfara state, Muhammad Shehu, told AFP. His account was corroborated by a senior local government official, Gado Anka. Anka told AFP motorcycle-riding gunmen stormed the remote village in Anka district around 1:00 pm (1200GMT), shooting dead 12 residents before fleeing to a hideout in the bush. "They returned two hours later and attacked mourners during the funeral of the victims in the cemetery, killing three more and injuring several others," he said. Rural communities in the agrarian state are under siege from gangs who kill, loot and torching homes. This has prompted villages to form vigilante groups -- which in turn are often accused of extra-judicial killings of suspected cattle thieves, prompting deadly reprisals by the gangs. It was not clear if the latest killings were as a result of reprisals. In February, dozens of people were killed when gunmen opened fire on traders and villagers at Birane, in the Zurmi area of the state.

Gunmen kill 15 herders in northern Nigeria

Gunmen attacked the French embassy in&nbsp;Burkina Faso&#39;s capital Ouagadougou.

The attackers were later killed by police, even as the country&#39;s military headquarters was also targeted.

&quot;Four attackers were neutralised,&quot; it said in a statement posted on the government&#39;s Information Service website.

Sixteen people - nine assailants and seven members of the security forces were killed in the attack.

Witnesses said five armed men got out of a car and opened fire on passersby before heading towards the French embassy. The car was later seen ablaze, AFP reported.

At the same time, an explosion occurred near the headquarters of the Burkinabe armed forces and the French cultural centre, which are located about a kilometre (half a mile) from the site of the first attack, other witnesses told AFP.

Information Minister Remis Fulgance Dandjinou said the attack &quot;has strong overtones of terrorism, adding,&quot;a certain number of gendarmes and soldiers&quot; were wounded, but there were no known casualties among civilians.

The attackers were later killed by police

Gunmen attacked the French embassy in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou. The attackers were later killed by police, even as the country's military headquarters was also targeted. "Four attackers were neutralised," it said in a statement posted on the government's Information Service website. Sixteen people - nine assailants and seven members of the security forces were killed in the attack. Witnesses said five armed men got out of a car and opened fire on passersby before heading towards the French embassy. The car was later seen ablaze, AFP reported. At the same time, an explosion occurred near the headquarters of the Burkinabe armed forces and the French cultural centre, which are located about a kilometre (half a mile) from the site of the first attack, other witnesses told AFP. Information Minister Remis Fulgance Dandjinou said the attack "has strong overtones of terrorism, adding,"a certain number of gendarmes and soldiers" were wounded, but there were no known casualties among civilians.

Gunmen target French embassy, military headquarters in Burkina Faso; several killed

A police spokesman informed on Saturday that at least two of the four suspected gunmen have been killed during an attack in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabuls-intercontinental-hotel-under-attack-multiple-casualties-30186" target="_blank">Intercontinental Hotel</a> in Kabul, Afghanistan.&nbsp;

According to reports, the Kabul police said that the security forces had cleared the fourth floor and were heading up the building, battling the raiders, who appeared to have a large supply of hand grenades.&nbsp;

There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Hotel manager Ahmad Haris Nayab, who escaped unhurt, said the attackers had got into the main part of the hotel through a kitchen and people tried to get out amid bursts of gunfire.

Interior Minister Barmak said 16 people were rescued from the first floor of the hotel. The minister said that a private security company had taken responsibility for the protection of the hotel around two weeks ago.

Other details about the attack, including whether any civilians had been killed, were not immediately clear.

Special forces had been lowered by helicopters onto the rooftop of the hotel, he added.

The fourth floor of the hotel, which boasts several restaurants and an outdoor swimming pool, had been set on fire during the raid, the NDS official said.

&quot;The operation will soon end and the attackers will be killed,&quot; interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said.&nbsp;

According to reports, the Kabul police said that the security forces had cleared the fourth floor and were heading up the building, battling the raiders, who appeared to have a large supply of hand grenades

A police spokesman informed on Saturday that at least two of the four suspected gunmen have been killed during an attack in the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan. According to reports, the Kabul police said that the security forces had cleared the fourth floor and were heading up the building, battling the raiders, who appeared to have a large supply of hand grenades. There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. Hotel manager Ahmad Haris Nayab, who escaped unhurt, said the attackers had got into the main part of the hotel through a kitchen and people tried to get out amid bursts of gunfire. Interior Minister Barmak said 16 people were rescued from the first floor of the hotel. The minister said that a private security company had taken responsibility for the protection of the hotel around two weeks ago. Other details about the attack, including whether any civilians had been killed, were not immediately clear. Special forces had been lowered by helicopters onto the rooftop of the hotel, he added. The fourth floor of the hotel, which boasts several restaurants and an outdoor swimming pool, had been set on fire during the raid, the NDS official said. "The operation will soon end and the attackers will be killed," interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said.

2 gunmen killed during attack at Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel

Mali&#39;s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on Saturday said his people would not be frightened by &quot;barbaric attacks&quot; after unidentified gunmen killed at least 14 soldiers in a pre-dawn assault on a military camp.

West Africa&#39;s arid Sahel region is suffering a spike in violence by militant groups, some with links to al Qaeda and Islamic State, that is drawing an increasingly aggressive response from countries including France and the United States.

A group of around 30 heavily armed fighters attacked the military camp in Soumpi, located in the centre of the country near the southern boundary of Mali&#39;s Timbuktu region, according to an army statement read on state radio.

It said 14 soldiers were killed and 15 others were wounded, adding that 17 of the attackers had been killed in the battle.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

&quot;The soldiers abandoned their position. The enemy carried away material,&quot; said one army officer, who said the camp had been overrun and asked not to be named as they were not authorised to speak to the media.

Islamist fighters seized control of Mali&#39;s northern desert regions in 2012 before being driven back by a French-led intervention a year later.

But despite the presence of a U.N. peacekeeping mission and troops operating under a regional French anti-militant mission, violence is again on the rise and attacks are spreading further south towards the capital, Bamako.

&quot;These barbaric attacks will not scare us. On the contrary, they reinforce our determination to fight against the terrorists,&quot; President Keita said, speaking in the central Mali village of Boni where 26 people were killed on Thursday.

Those victims were travelling from neighbouring Burkina Faso in a civilian passenger vehicle when it struck a landmine.

In a separate incident on the same day in the nearby town of Youwarou, the Malian military said its forces repelled an attack by suspected Islamist fighters.

Mali and its western neighbour Senegal plan to deploy 1,000 troops soon in an operation to pacify central Mali and contain jihadists who had previously been confined to its Saharan expanses in the north.

But analysts doubt they will be able to do so purely through military means. The Islamists exploit the grievances of Fulani cattle herders and their disputes with local farmers over access to grazing lands.

The government&#39;s periodic crackdowns on suspected jihadists have therefore tended to target the Fulani, driving some of them into the arms of the armed groups.

A group of around 30 heavily armed fighters attacked the military camp in Soumpi, located in the centre of the country near the southern boundary of Mali's Timbuktu region, according to an army statement read on state radio.

Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on Saturday said his people would not be frightened by "barbaric attacks" after unidentified gunmen killed at least 14 soldiers in a pre-dawn assault on a military camp. West Africa's arid Sahel region is suffering a spike in violence by militant groups, some with links to al Qaeda and Islamic State, that is drawing an increasingly aggressive response from countries including France and the United States. A group of around 30 heavily armed fighters attacked the military camp in Soumpi, located in the centre of the country near the southern boundary of Mali's Timbuktu region, according to an army statement read on state radio. It said 14 soldiers were killed and 15 others were wounded, adding that 17 of the attackers had been killed in the battle. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. "The soldiers abandoned their position. The enemy carried away material," said one army officer, who said the camp had been overrun and asked not to be named as they were not authorised to speak to the media. Islamist fighters seized control of Mali's northern desert regions in 2012 before being driven back by a French-led intervention a year later. But despite the presence of a U.N. peacekeeping mission and troops operating under a regional French anti-militant mission, violence is again on the rise and attacks are spreading further south towards the capital, Bamako. "These barbaric attacks will not scare us. On the contrary, they reinforce our determination to fight against the terrorists," President Keita said, speaking in the central Mali village of Boni where 26 people were killed on Thursday. Those victims were travelling from neighbouring Burkina Faso in a civilian passenger vehicle when it struck a landmine. In a separate incident on the same day in the nearby town of Youwarou, the Malian military said its forces repelled an attack by suspected Islamist fighters. Mali and its western neighbour Senegal plan to deploy 1,000 troops soon in an operation to pacify central Mali and contain jihadists who had previously been confined to its Saharan expanses in the north. But analysts doubt they will be able to do so purely through military means. The Islamists exploit the grievances of Fulani cattle herders and their disputes with local farmers over access to grazing lands. The government's periodic crackdowns on suspected jihadists have therefore tended to target the Fulani, driving some of them into the arms of the armed groups.

Gunmen kill at least 14 Mali soldiers in attack on army camp

Two masked gunmen opened fire on a cafe south of the Egypt capital, killing three people and wounding around five, security officials said on Sunday.&nbsp;

The attack took place at night in a village called Al-ayat which is about 50 kilometres away from Cairo.&nbsp;

The reason behind the attack remains unclear, however, it is being said that it was a criminal incident and not terrorism.&nbsp;

According to the state newspaper, two gunmen on motorcycles barged into the cafe and opened fire before leaving.&nbsp;

Security officials are currently investigating the matter and are on a lookout for the attackers.&nbsp;

The reason behind the attack remains unclear, however, it is being said that it was a criminal incident and not terrorism

Two masked gunmen opened fire on a cafe south of the Egypt capital, killing three people and wounding around five, security officials said on Sunday. The attack took place at night in a village called Al-ayat which is about 50 kilometres away from Cairo. The reason behind the attack remains unclear, however, it is being said that it was a criminal incident and not terrorism. According to the state newspaper, two gunmen on motorcycles barged into the cafe and opened fire before leaving. Security officials are currently investigating the matter and are on a lookout for the attackers.

Gunmen open fire at cafe in Egyptian capital, three dead

Gunmen who attacked a mosque on Friday in Egypt&#39;s North Sinai brandished an Islamic State flag as they opened fire through doorways and windows, killing more than 300 worshippers, including two dozen children, officials said on Saturday.

No group has claimed responsibility, but Egyptian forces are battling a stubborn Islamic State affiliate in the region, one of the surviving branches of the militant group after it suffered defeats by US-backed forces in Iraq and Syria.

The assault on a mosque has stunned Egyptians, prompting President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi&#39;s government to tighten security at places of worship and key buildings, and call three days of mourning for the bloodiest attack in Egypt&#39;s modern history.&nbsp;

State news agency MENA said the death toll had risen to 305, including 27 children, and 128 people were injured.

Egypt`s public prosecutor&#39;s office, citing interviews with wounded survivors as part of its investigation, linked Islamic State militants, also known as Daesh, to the attack on the Al Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed, west of El-Arish city.

&quot;The worshippers were taken by surprise by these elements,&quot; the prosecutor said in a statement. &quot;They numbered between 25 and 30, carrying the Daesh flag and took up positions in front of the mosque door and its 12 windows with automatic rifles.&quot;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-mourns-305-victims-of-sinai-mosque-attack-25126">Egypt mourns 305 victims of Sinai mosque attack</a>

The gunmen, some wearing masks and military-style uniforms, had arrived in jeeps, surrounded the mosque and opened fire inside, sending panicked worshippers scrambling over each other to escape the carnage.

Witnesses had said gunmen set off a bomb at the end of Friday prayers and then opened fire as people tried to flee, shooting at ambulances and setting fire to cars to block roads. Images on state media showed bloodied victims and bodies covered in blankets inside the mosque.

&quot;When the shooting began everyone was running, and everyone was bumping into one another,&quot; Magdy Rezk, a wounded survivor, said from his hospital bed. &quot;But I was able to make out masked men wearing military clothing.&quot;

Utmost Force

Striking a mosque would be a shift in tactics for the Sinai militants, who have previously attacked troops and police and more recently tried to spread their insurgency to the mainland by hitting Christian churches and pilgrims.

Local sources said some of the worshippers were Sufis, whom groups such as Islamic State consider targets because they revere saints and shrines, which for Islamists is tantamount to idolatry. Islamic State has targeted Sufi and Shi`ite Muslims in other countries like Iraq.

The jihadists in Egypt&#39;s Sinai have also attacked local tribes and their militias for working with the army and police.

Sisi, a former armed forces commander who supporters see as a bulwark against Islamist militants, promised the &quot;utmost force&quot; against those responsible for Friday`s attack. Security has been a key reason for his supporters to back him, and he is expected to run for re-election next year.

Egypt&#39;s military carried out air strikes and raids overnight to target hideouts and vehicles involved in the attack, the army said, without giving details on the number of militants.

&quot;What is happening is an attempt to stop us from our efforts in the fight against terrorism,&quot; Sisi said on Friday.

The Sinai attack came as Sisi&#39;s government looks to draw more foreign investment and finish an IMF reform programme to help revive an economy that struggled through instability after the 2011 uprising ousted long-standing leader Hosni Mubarak.

North Sinai, a mostly desert area stretching from the Suez Canal eastwards to the Gaza Strip and Israel, has long been a security headache for Egypt and is a strategic region for Cairo because of its sensitive borders.

Local militant group Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, once allied to al Qaeda, split from it and declared allegiance to Islamic State in 2014. But attacks in the Sinai worsened after 2013 when Sisi led the overthrow of President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood after mass protests against his rule.&nbsp;

Gunmen who attacked a mosque on Friday in Egypt's North Sinai brandished an Islamic State flag as they opened fire through doorways and windows, killing more than 300 worshippers, including two dozen children, officials said on Saturday

Gunmen who attacked a mosque on Friday in Egypt's North Sinai brandished an Islamic State flag as they opened fire through doorways and windows, killing more than 300 worshippers, including two dozen children, officials said on Saturday. No group has claimed responsibility, but Egyptian forces are battling a stubborn Islamic State affiliate in the region, one of the surviving branches of the militant group after it suffered defeats by US-backed forces in Iraq and Syria. The assault on a mosque has stunned Egyptians, prompting President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's government to tighten security at places of worship and key buildings, and call three days of mourning for the bloodiest attack in Egypt's modern history. State news agency MENA said the death toll had risen to 305, including 27 children, and 128 people were injured. Egypt`s public prosecutor's office, citing interviews with wounded survivors as part of its investigation, linked Islamic State militants, also known as Daesh, to the attack on the Al Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed, west of El-Arish city. "The worshippers were taken by surprise by these elements," the prosecutor said in a statement. "They numbered between 25 and 30, carrying the Daesh flag and took up positions in front of the mosque door and its 12 windows with automatic rifles." Also read: Egypt mourns 305 victims of Sinai mosque attack The gunmen, some wearing masks and military-style uniforms, had arrived in jeeps, surrounded the mosque and opened fire inside, sending panicked worshippers scrambling over each other to escape the carnage. Witnesses had said gunmen set off a bomb at the end of Friday prayers and then opened fire as people tried to flee, shooting at ambulances and setting fire to cars to block roads. Images on state media showed bloodied victims and bodies covered in blankets inside the mosque. "When the shooting began everyone was running, and everyone was bumping into one another," Magdy Rezk, a wounded survivor, said from his hospital bed. "But I was able to make out masked men wearing military clothing." Utmost Force Striking a mosque would be a shift in tactics for the Sinai militants, who have previously attacked troops and police and more recently tried to spread their insurgency to the mainland by hitting Christian churches and pilgrims. Local sources said some of the worshippers were Sufis, whom groups such as Islamic State consider targets because they revere saints and shrines, which for Islamists is tantamount to idolatry. Islamic State has targeted Sufi and Shi`ite Muslims in other countries like Iraq. The jihadists in Egypt's Sinai have also attacked local tribes and their militias for working with the army and police. Sisi, a former armed forces commander who supporters see as a bulwark against Islamist militants, promised the "utmost force" against those responsible for Friday`s attack. Security has been a key reason for his supporters to back him, and he is expected to run for re-election next year. Egypt's military carried out air strikes and raids overnight to target hideouts and vehicles involved in the attack, the army said, without giving details on the number of militants. "What is happening is an attempt to stop us from our efforts in the fight against terrorism," Sisi said on Friday. The Sinai attack came as Sisi's government looks to draw more foreign investment and finish an IMF reform programme to help revive an economy that struggled through instability after the 2011 uprising ousted long-standing leader Hosni Mubarak. North Sinai, a mostly desert area stretching from the Suez Canal eastwards to the Gaza Strip and Israel, has long been a security headache for Egypt and is a strategic region for Cairo because of its sensitive borders. Local militant group Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, once allied to al Qaeda, split from it and declared allegiance to Islamic State in 2014. But attacks in the Sinai worsened after 2013 when Sisi led the overthrow of President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood after mass protests against his rule.

Egypt mosque attack: Gunmen carried Islamic State flag

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said that poeple living in Karnataka should learn Kannada and emphasised that not knowing the regional language would mean showing disrespect to it.

Siddaramaiah was speaking at the 62nd Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrated in Bengaluru&#39;s Kanteerava stadium.

&quot;Everyone who lives here is a Kannadiga. Whoever lives in Karnataka should learn Kannada and make their children learn it too,&quot;&nbsp;Siddaramaiah said and also added, &quot;I am not against learning any language. But if you don&#39;t learn Kannada, it means you&#39;re showing disrespect to the language.&quot;

The CM also asked the Kannadigas to be more affectionate towards their state&#39;s language.

Focusing on preservation of Kannada language, the Chief Minister called for efforts towards creating an atmosphere for learning Kannada and said all schools in the state should teach Kannada.

The CM informed that Karnataka did not succeed in making Kannada a priority in the last 60 years.

Shamshad TV, a Pashto language station that broadcasts nationwide, was attacked

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said that poeple living in Karnataka should learn Kannada and emphasised that not knowing the regional language would mean showing disrespect to it. Siddaramaiah was speaking at the 62nd Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrated in Bengaluru's Kanteerava stadium. "Everyone who lives here is a Kannadiga. Whoever lives in Karnataka should learn Kannada and make their children learn it too," Siddaramaiah said and also added, "I am not against learning any language. But if you don't learn Kannada, it means you're showing disrespect to the language." The CM also asked the Kannadigas to be more affectionate towards their state's language. Focusing on preservation of Kannada language, the Chief Minister called for efforts towards creating an atmosphere for learning Kannada and said all schools in the state should teach Kannada. The CM informed that Karnataka did not succeed in making Kannada a priority in the last 60 years.

Gunmen storm Kabul TV station in ongoing attack: Employee

Gunmen shot dead five female airport workers and their driver in southern Afghanistan on Saturday, underlining the threat to employed women in the country.&nbsp;

The women were in a van driving to the airport in the southern Kandahar province when at least three gunmen on motorcycles opened fire at them, provincial spokesman Samim Kheplwak told AFP.&nbsp;

&quot;All the women and their driver aboard the van were killed. The attackers fled the area and we have launched an investigation,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

Kandahar International Airport director Ahmadullah Faizi said the women were employees of a private company who would provide luggage and body search services for female passengers.&nbsp;

He said the women were concerned about their security after receiving death threats from people who disapproved of their career.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but Kandahar females who work outside their homes have long been at high risk of attack from Taliban militants and other insurgent groups.&nbsp;

Afghan women have made giant strides since the Taliban regime was ousted in 2001, but they are still absent from public life and continue to suffer high levels of violence, oppression and abuse.

The Afghan attorney general&#39;s office recorded more than 3,700 cases of violence against women in the first eight months of 2016, with 5,000 cases recorded in the whole of the previous year.

(AFP)

The women were in a van driving to the airport in the southern Kandahar province when at least 3 gunmen on motorcycles opened fire at them

Gunmen shot dead five female airport workers and their driver in southern Afghanistan on Saturday, underlining the threat to employed women in the country. The women were in a van driving to the airport in the southern Kandahar province when at least three gunmen on motorcycles opened fire at them, provincial spokesman Samim Kheplwak told AFP. "All the women and their driver aboard the van were killed. The attackers fled the area and we have launched an investigation," he said. Kandahar International Airport director Ahmadullah Faizi said the women were employees of a private company who would provide luggage and body search services for female passengers. He said the women were concerned about their security after receiving death threats from people who disapproved of their career. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but Kandahar females who work outside their homes have long been at high risk of attack from Taliban militants and other insurgent groups. Afghan women have made giant strides since the Taliban regime was ousted in 2001, but they are still absent from public life and continue to suffer high levels of violence, oppression and abuse. The Afghan attorney general's office recorded more than 3,700 cases of violence against women in the first eight months of 2016, with 5,000 cases recorded in the whole of the previous year. (AFP)

Gunmen kill five women airport workers in Afghanistan

Explosions were reportedly heard in the area, an eyewitness?claimed, and a helicopter was seen surveilling the area

One civilian and four suicide bombers were killed after gunmen wearing bomb-vests attacked Peshawar's Christian Colony early on Friday morning, the Dawn reported. A gunbattle ensued between security forces and the attackers at around 6 am, security sources told the Dawn. Director General, Inter-Services Intelligence, Public Relations, Asim Bajwa tweeted about the operation. Terrorist attacked Christian Colony Warsak Road, Peshawar.Sec forces Promptly responded,all 4 suicide bombers killed.Search in progress. — Gen Asim Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) September 2, 2016 The colony lies close to the Pak-Afghan border and the Warsak dam. Explosions were reportedly heard in the area, an eyewitness claimed, and a helicopter was seen surveilling the area. The area has reportedly been cordoned off. Contingents of police, Frontier Corps, and Pakistan Army commandos have been deployed in the area and an operation is ongoing, reported the Dawn. (WION with inputs from PTI)

One civilian, 4 suicide bombers killed in attack on Peshawar's Christian Colony

Six soldiers and a provinicial government official were killed in an ambush on&nbsp;their convoy today when armed gunmen attacked them in the&nbsp;southwest province of Balochistan. 
 
The incident took place 80 kilometres from Gwadar, a vital port in a planned&nbsp;China-Pakistan economic corridor from the Arabian sea to China&#39;s western&nbsp;Xinjiang district. 
 
The gunmen hurled grenades and fired rockets at the convoy, informed the Gwadar deputy district commissioner. 
 
Separatist groups in Balochistan&nbsp;have been involved in several attacks on the&nbsp;country&#39;s security forces as part of their struggle for independence. 
 
Baloch activists have claimed that security forces have carried out extrajudicial&nbsp;killings, and thousands of people have disappeared from the region. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

The gunmen hurled grenades and fired rockets at the convoy, informed the deputy district commissioner of southwestern Gwadar port city

Six soldiers and a provinicial government official were killed in an ambush on their convoy today when armed gunmen attacked them in the southwest province of Balochistan. The incident took place 80 kilometres from Gwadar, a vital port in a planned China-Pakistan economic corridor from the Arabian sea to China's western Xinjiang district. The gunmen hurled grenades and fired rockets at the convoy, informed the Gwadar deputy district commissioner. Separatist groups in Balochistan have been involved in several attacks on the country's security forces as part of their struggle for independence. Baloch activists have claimed that security forces have carried out extrajudicial killings, and thousands of people have disappeared from the region. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Attack on convoy kills 7 in Pakistan's Balochistan

Pro-opposition gunmen locked in a protracted stand-off with police in the Armenian capital Yerevan today took four medics hostage, officials said, after a shootout left five people wounded. 
 
Police said the medics were held after entering a police compound seized by the assailants 10 days ago to treat two gunmen injured in clashes that also left two attackers and a police officer hospitalised. 
 
&quot;The doctors who went into the captured territory to assist two members of the armed group who refused to go to hospital have been taken hostage,&quot; police spokesman Ashot Aharonyan wrote on Facebook. 
 
&quot;The police are taking steps to free the doctors through negotiations.&quot; 
 
 
Lengthy stand-off shakes&nbsp;tiny Caucasus republic &nbsp; 
 
The lengthy stand-off has shaken the tiny Caucasus republic and sparked clashes between police and protesters furious over the handling of the incident.&nbsp; 
 
Gunmen supporters of fringe jailed opposition leader Zhirair Sefilyan, stormed a police building in Yerevan on July 17, killing one officer, taking several more hostage and seizing a store of weapons. 
 
Over the weekend, they released the final four police officers being held captive but remained holed up inside the police building surrounded by law enforcement officers. 
 
The group has demanded the resignation of the ex-Soviet nation&#39;s President Serzh Sarkisian and the release of Sefilyan. 
 
Sefilyan, the leader of a small opposition group named the New Armenia Public Salvation Front and six of his supporters were arrested in June accused of preparing to seize government buildings and telecoms facilities in Yerevan. 
 
A fierce critic of the government, he was previously arrested in 2006 over calls for &quot;a violent overthrow of the government&quot; and jailed for 18 months. He was released in 2008. 
 
Sarkisian, a pro-Russian former military officer, has been president of the country of 2.9 million people since winning a vote in 2008 that saw clashes between police and supporters of the defeated opposition candidate in which 10 people died. 
 
(AFP)

Police said medics were held after entering a police compound seized by assailants 10 days ago to treat two gunmen injured in clashes

Pro-opposition gunmen locked in a protracted stand-off with police in the Armenian capital Yerevan today took four medics hostage, officials said, after a shootout left five people wounded. Police said the medics were held after entering a police compound seized by the assailants 10 days ago to treat two gunmen injured in clashes that also left two attackers and a police officer hospitalised. "The doctors who went into the captured territory to assist two members of the armed group who refused to go to hospital have been taken hostage," police spokesman Ashot Aharonyan wrote on Facebook. "The police are taking steps to free the doctors through negotiations." Lengthy stand-off shakes tiny Caucasus republic The lengthy stand-off has shaken the tiny Caucasus republic and sparked clashes between police and protesters furious over the handling of the incident. Gunmen supporters of fringe jailed opposition leader Zhirair Sefilyan, stormed a police building in Yerevan on July 17, killing one officer, taking several more hostage and seizing a store of weapons. Over the weekend, they released the final four police officers being held captive but remained holed up inside the police building surrounded by law enforcement officers. The group has demanded the resignation of the ex-Soviet nation's President Serzh Sarkisian and the release of Sefilyan. Sefilyan, the leader of a small opposition group named the New Armenia Public Salvation Front and six of his supporters were arrested in June accused of preparing to seize government buildings and telecoms facilities in Yerevan. A fierce critic of the government, he was previously arrested in 2006 over calls for "a violent overthrow of the government" and jailed for 18 months. He was released in 2008. Sarkisian, a pro-Russian former military officer, has been president of the country of 2.9 million people since winning a vote in 2008 that saw clashes between police and supporters of the defeated opposition candidate in which 10 people died. (AFP)

Armenia stand-off drags on: Pro-opposition gunmen take 4 medics hostage

Authorities in Armenia called on gunmen holed up in a police station in the capital Yerevan to lay down their arms today and release five police officers they were holding hostage. 
 
The gunmen seized the police station and hostages on Sunday, killing one police officer and wounding two others in the process before demanding Armenians take to the streets to secure the release of jailed opposition politicians. 
 
They released two hostages on Sunday and released two more today, the security service said. 
 
Negotiations to end the situation peacefully are underway. 
 
The hostage takers main demand is to free Jirair Sefilian, an opposition leader whom the authorities have accused of plotting civil unrest. Sefilian was jailed in June over allegations of illegally possessing weapons. 
 
The security service said talks were deadlocked so far. 
 
&quot;The armed group is refusing to release other hostages, including high ranking officials, to lay down their weapons, or to surrender,&quot; the National Security Service said in a statement, saying the group posed a direct threat to society. 
 
Yerevan&#39;s deputy police chief, Valery Osipyan, was reported to be among the hostages as was Vardan Yeghiazaryan, the country&#39;s deputy police chief. 
 
The security service said the outcome remained uncertain. 
 
&quot;Law enforcement agencies are doing everything they can to end this peacefully, but in the circumstances it might not be enough,&quot; it said. 
 
&quot;That&#39;s why we again appeal to the members of the armed group ... to end their armed resistance. For now, there is still time and the opportunity to do that.&quot; 
 
 
(Reuters)

National Security Service said four hostages have been released so far. The country's deputy police chief is reportedly held captive

Authorities in Armenia called on gunmen holed up in a police station in the capital Yerevan to lay down their arms today and release five police officers they were holding hostage. The gunmen seized the police station and hostages on Sunday, killing one police officer and wounding two others in the process before demanding Armenians take to the streets to secure the release of jailed opposition politicians. They released two hostages on Sunday and released two more today, the security service said. Negotiations to end the situation peacefully are underway. The hostage takers main demand is to free Jirair Sefilian, an opposition leader whom the authorities have accused of plotting civil unrest. Sefilian was jailed in June over allegations of illegally possessing weapons. The security service said talks were deadlocked so far. "The armed group is refusing to release other hostages, including high ranking officials, to lay down their weapons, or to surrender," the National Security Service said in a statement, saying the group posed a direct threat to society. Yerevan's deputy police chief, Valery Osipyan, was reported to be among the hostages as was Vardan Yeghiazaryan, the country's deputy police chief. The security service said the outcome remained uncertain. "Law enforcement agencies are doing everything they can to end this peacefully, but in the circumstances it might not be enough," it said. "That's why we again appeal to the members of the armed group ... to end their armed resistance. For now, there is still time and the opportunity to do that." (Reuters)

Authorities in Armenia called on gunmen to release remaining hostages

Gunmen killed 14 people in northeastern Mexico early on Saturday in two attacks likely sparked by gang wars in the state of Tamaulipas, the local government said. 
 
State interior minister Herminio Garza Palacios said the shootings took place in Ciudad Victoria, capital of Tamualipas, a state on the Gulf of Mexico that has been mired in violence between warring drug cartels for years. 
 
In the first attack, armed men entered a house in a neighborhood near the center of Ciudad Victoria at 7 am local time (1200 GMT), killing 11 members of one family. 
 
Two of the dead were men and the other victims were all female, five of them minors, the state government said. 
 
The second shooting took place at a house further east about 45 minutes later, the government said. A man and two women were killed, and four other family members injured, Garza said. 
 
Federal and state forces were investigating the shootings, which were probably the result of a dispute between rival groups, Garza said. The city has been racked by infighting by factions of the Zetas drug gang, security experts say. 
 
Bordering Texas to the north, Tamaulipas has long been a major transit point for traffickers moving drugs and people into the United States. Turf wars between the Gulf Cartel and their former armed wing, the Zetas, have racked the state for years. 
 
Ciudad Victoria lies toward the southwest of Tamaulipas. 
 
(Reuters)

State interior minister says the shootings were probably the result of a dispute between rival groups

Gunmen killed 14 people in northeastern Mexico early on Saturday in two attacks likely sparked by gang wars in the state of Tamaulipas, the local government said. State interior minister Herminio Garza Palacios said the shootings took place in Ciudad Victoria, capital of Tamualipas, a state on the Gulf of Mexico that has been mired in violence between warring drug cartels for years. In the first attack, armed men entered a house in a neighborhood near the center of Ciudad Victoria at 7 am local time (1200 GMT), killing 11 members of one family. Two of the dead were men and the other victims were all female, five of them minors, the state government said. The second shooting took place at a house further east about 45 minutes later, the government said. A man and two women were killed, and four other family members injured, Garza said. Federal and state forces were investigating the shootings, which were probably the result of a dispute between rival groups, Garza said. The city has been racked by infighting by factions of the Zetas drug gang, security experts say. Bordering Texas to the north, Tamaulipas has long been a major transit point for traffickers moving drugs and people into the United States. Turf wars between the Gulf Cartel and their former armed wing, the Zetas, have racked the state for years. Ciudad Victoria lies toward the southwest of Tamaulipas. (Reuters)

Gunmen kill 14 in gang-plagued Mexican state on US border

Gunmen attacked a restaurant popular with foreigners in the diplomatic quarter of the Bangladeshi capital on Friday, police and a witness said. 
 
BDNews24.com reported that &quot;At least four injured police officials were seen being transported.&nbsp;One of them looked seriously injured&quot;. 
 
WION can confirm after speaking with Dr. Miraj at the United Hospital in Dhaka, 300 metres from the hostage crisis, that 30 security personnel are being treated after sustaining wounds from grenade shrapnel, as well as bullets.&nbsp; 
 
IS has claimed responsibility for the attack. 
 
So far one employee has managed to escape and there are reports that two hostages have been released, for unknown reasons.&nbsp; 
 
Local reports say seven Italian nationals are among the hostages. 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center">
Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) stand guard outside the Holey Artisan Bakery Cafe
&mdash; (@DamyEku) <a data-datetime="2016-07-01T23:34:00+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/DamyEku/status/749023372156231680">Jul 02 2016</a></blockquote>
<script src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script> 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
BREAKING: Islamic State claims responsibility for attack on cafe in Bangladesh, says more than 20 people killed: Amaq news agency
&mdash; Reuters Top News (@Reuters) <a href="https://twitter.com/Reuters/status/748966709042774016">July 1, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script> 
 
TIMELINE (local Bangladesh time, GMT +6) 
 
1:50: Reuters reports IS claims responsibility for the attack

1:08 am: Uttara zone Asst Commissioner Robiul Islam dies of bullet injuries 
&nbsp; 
12:39 am: Police try and initiate negotiations with attackers 
&nbsp; 
12:24&nbsp;am: Banani Police Officer-in-Charge Salauddin Khan declared dead 
&nbsp; 
12:06 am: A bakery staffer, Sumon Reza escapes, says an Argentinian &amp; an Italian among hostages 
&nbsp; 
11:50 pm: Dhaka airport closed 
&nbsp; 
11:35 pm:&nbsp;B&rsquo;desh&nbsp;RAB chief Benzir Ahmed urges&nbsp;TV channels not to live telecast&nbsp;hostage situation 
&nbsp; 
11:30&nbsp;pm: People&nbsp;report hearing shouts of&nbsp;Allah-hu-Akbar&nbsp;immediately&nbsp;before&nbsp;hearing&nbsp;several blasts 
&nbsp; 
10:30&nbsp;pm: US State&nbsp;Department&nbsp;Twitter account&nbsp;declares&nbsp;hostage situation in Dhaka 
&nbsp; 
8:45&nbsp;pm: Multiple&nbsp;attackers&nbsp;enter Holey Artisan Bakery&nbsp;in Gulshan-2 diplomatic area in Dhaka, Bangaldesh; start firing

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GulshanAttack?src=hash">#GulshanAttack</a>: At 1:08am, assistant commissioner of Uttara zone Detective Branch killed in the shooting, top police officials confirm
&mdash; The Daily Star (@dailystarnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/dailystarnews/status/748957529489698816">July 1, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script> 
Locals have taken to social media to share pictures and to describe what they know. Their reports cannot be verified by WION. 
 
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="501" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D535819896607279%26set%3Da.104428533079753.1073741826.100005378192774%26type%3D3&amp;width=500" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" width="500"></iframe> 
The witness said from his house in the upscale Gulshan area of Dhaka he could hear gunfire and it &quot;looked quite bad&quot;. The US Embassy in Dhaka said on its Twitter feed there were &quot;reports of shooting and hostage situation&quot;. 
 
 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hostage?src=hash">#Hostage</a> situation in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dhaka?src=hash">#Dhaka</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Terrorist?src=hash">#Terrorist</a> targeted <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/restaurant?src=hash">#restaurant</a> popular among foreigners in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bangladesh?src=hash">#Bangladesh</a>. <a href="https://t.co/zt2zqgjP30">pic.twitter.com/zt2zqgjP30</a>
&mdash; Rudolf (@poljski_navijac) <a href="https://twitter.com/poljski_navijac/status/748921560589754368">July 1, 2016</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
10 attackers take around 60 hostages, 20 foreigners included, at a restaurant in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dhaka?src=hash">#Dhaka</a>. RAB director says they want a `peaceful resolution`
&mdash; Ziaur Rashid (@smziaurrashid) <a href="https://twitter.com/smziaurrashid/status/748937803354877953">July 1, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dhaka?src=hash">#Dhaka</a>: Somoy News reports Banani Thana Police OC Salauddin died. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bangladesh?src=hash">#Bangladesh</a>
&mdash; Ziaur Rashid (@smziaurrashid) <a href="https://twitter.com/smziaurrashid/status/748940224529469440">July 1, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script> 
The US state department has issued an update about the hostage situation: 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/statedeptspox">@statedeptspox</a> Kirby provides update on apparent hostage situation in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dhaka?src=hash">#Dhaka</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bangladesh?src=hash">#Bangladesh</a> <a href="https://t.co/CgwWuU2aUl">https://t.co/CgwWuU2aUl</a>
&mdash; Department of State (@StateDept) <a href="https://twitter.com/StateDept/status/748932806126907392">July 1, 2016</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Breaking : Islamic attack on restaurant in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dhaka?src=hash">#Dhaka</a> terrorist shouting allah hu akbar 
20 hostages mostly foreigners <a href="https://t.co/aQHrShQ8Hs">pic.twitter.com/aQHrShQ8Hs</a>
&mdash; Ravi Singh (@RealRavii) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealRavii/status/748939947839623168">July 1, 2016</a></blockquote>
Bangladesh has seen a series of attacks, mostly using machetes, targeting bloggers, atheists and religious minorities. 
 
(Reuters and WION)

This is still developing: 30 security officers hospitalised; 2 dead, many treated for grenade shrapnel wounds

Gunmen attacked a restaurant popular with foreigners in the diplomatic quarter of the Bangladeshi capital on Friday, police and a witness said. BDNews24.com reported that "At least four injured police officials were seen being transported. One of them looked seriously injured". WION can confirm after speaking with Dr. Miraj at the United Hospital in Dhaka, 300 metres from the hostage crisis, that 30 security personnel are being treated after sustaining wounds from grenade shrapnel, as well as bullets. IS has claimed responsibility for the attack. So far one employee has managed to escape and there are reports that two hostages have been released, for unknown reasons. Local reports say seven Italian nationals are among the hostages. Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) stand guard outside the Holey Artisan Bakery Cafe — (@DamyEku) Jul 02 2016 BREAKING: Islamic State claims responsibility for attack on cafe in Bangladesh, says more than 20 people killed: Amaq news agency — Reuters Top News (@Reuters) July 1, 2016 TIMELINE (local Bangladesh time, GMT +6) 1:50: Reuters reports IS claims responsibility for the attack 1:08 am: Uttara zone Asst Commissioner Robiul Islam dies of bullet injuries 12:39 am: Police try and initiate negotiations with attackers 12:24 am: Banani Police Officer-in-Charge Salauddin Khan declared dead 12:06 am: A bakery staffer, Sumon Reza escapes, says an Argentinian & an Italian among hostages 11:50 pm: Dhaka airport closed 11:35 pm: B’desh RAB chief Benzir Ahmed urges TV channels not to live telecast hostage situation 11:30 pm: People report hearing shouts of Allah-hu-Akbar immediately before hearing several blasts 10:30 pm: US State Department Twitter account declares hostage situation in Dhaka 8:45 pm: Multiple attackers enter Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan-2 diplomatic area in Dhaka, Bangaldesh; start firing #GulshanAttack: At 1:08am, assistant commissioner of Uttara zone Detective Branch killed in the shooting, top police officials confirm — The Daily Star (@dailystarnews) July 1, 2016 Locals have taken to social media to share pictures and to describe what they know. Their reports cannot be verified by WION. The witness said from his house in the upscale Gulshan area of Dhaka he could hear gunfire and it "looked quite bad". The US Embassy in Dhaka said on its Twitter feed there were "reports of shooting and hostage situation". #Hostage situation in #Dhaka. #Terrorist targeted #restaurant popular among foreigners in #Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/zt2zqgjP30 — Rudolf (@poljski_navijac) July 1, 2016 10 attackers take around 60 hostages, 20 foreigners included, at a restaurant in #Dhaka. RAB director says they want a `peaceful resolution` — Ziaur Rashid (@smziaurrashid) July 1, 2016 #Dhaka: Somoy News reports Banani Thana Police OC Salauddin died. #Bangladesh — Ziaur Rashid (@smziaurrashid) July 1, 2016 The US state department has issued an update about the hostage situation: .@statedeptspox Kirby provides update on apparent hostage situation in #Dhaka, #Bangladesh https://t.co/CgwWuU2aUl — Department of State (@StateDept) July 1, 2016 Breaking : Islamic attack on restaurant in #Dhaka terrorist shouting allah hu akbar 20 hostages mostly foreigners pic.twitter.com/aQHrShQ8Hs — Ravi Singh (@RealRavii) July 1, 2016 Bangladesh has seen a series of attacks, mostly using machetes, targeting bloggers, atheists and religious minorities. (Reuters and WION)

IS hostage standoff in Dhaka continues

Gunmen in Southern Nigeria have killed a local driver and kidnapped seven people, at least three of whom are Australian citizens and one an Australian resident, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Thursday.&nbsp; 
 
There was some initial confusion over the number of victims and nationalities of those involved, as police in Nigeria gave conflicting accounts.&nbsp; 
 
The workers, two of whom police said later escaped, were contractors for cement company Lafarge Africa. They were attacked on the outskirts of the city of Calabar at around 4:30 am GMT, police said. 
 
Calabar is a coastal city about 354 miles east of Lagos, and the capital of Cross River State in the Niger Delta region, where both criminal gangs and militants have been active. 
 
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called the incident a &quot;very serious kidnapping&quot; in response to a journalist&#39;s question and urged calm in reporting the incident.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;These are the facts as we know them: three Australians and one Australian resident were among seven people kidnapped in an attack on an Australian contractor`s operations in Nigeria. One person was killed in the attack,&quot; Turnbull told reporters. 
 
Two expatriates managed to flee, said Irene Ugbo, a spokeswoman for Cross River state police, adding that she did not know the nationality of any of the workers feared still held. 
 
Ugbo had earlier said that only two of the kidnapped were Australians, and one was a New Zealander, while another police officer said a South African had been abducted. 
 
The kidnappers had not contacted police, she said. 
 
Kidnappings of foreigners are common in the Delta region, which holds most of the crude oil whose sales make about 70 per cent of Nigeria&#39;s national income.&nbsp; 
 
OPEC member Nigeria was Africa&#39;s top oil producer until a recent spate of attacks on oil facilities pushed it behind Angola. Production has fallen from 2.2 million barrels at the start of the year to around 1.6 million barrels, helping push up global oil prices. 
 
Lafarge Africa said it had been informed of the incident by Australian contractor Macmahon. 
 
&quot;Macmahon is working with the security agencies to resolve this situation,&quot; said Viola Graham-Douglas, a spokeswoman for Lafarge Africa.&nbsp; 
 
Macmahon Holdings Ltd, which was placed on a trading halt in the wake of the incident, could not immediately be reached for comment. 
 
(Reuters)

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has confirmed the kidnapping of three Australians and one Australian resident

Gunmen in Southern Nigeria have killed a local driver and kidnapped seven people, at least three of whom are Australian citizens and one an Australian resident, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Thursday. There was some initial confusion over the number of victims and nationalities of those involved, as police in Nigeria gave conflicting accounts. The workers, two of whom police said later escaped, were contractors for cement company Lafarge Africa. They were attacked on the outskirts of the city of Calabar at around 4:30 am GMT, police said. Calabar is a coastal city about 354 miles east of Lagos, and the capital of Cross River State in the Niger Delta region, where both criminal gangs and militants have been active. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called the incident a "very serious kidnapping" in response to a journalist's question and urged calm in reporting the incident. "These are the facts as we know them: three Australians and one Australian resident were among seven people kidnapped in an attack on an Australian contractor`s operations in Nigeria. One person was killed in the attack," Turnbull told reporters. Two expatriates managed to flee, said Irene Ugbo, a spokeswoman for Cross River state police, adding that she did not know the nationality of any of the workers feared still held. Ugbo had earlier said that only two of the kidnapped were Australians, and one was a New Zealander, while another police officer said a South African had been abducted. The kidnappers had not contacted police, she said. Kidnappings of foreigners are common in the Delta region, which holds most of the crude oil whose sales make about 70 per cent of Nigeria's national income. OPEC member Nigeria was Africa's top oil producer until a recent spate of attacks on oil facilities pushed it behind Angola. Production has fallen from 2.2 million barrels at the start of the year to around 1.6 million barrels, helping push up global oil prices. Lafarge Africa said it had been informed of the incident by Australian contractor Macmahon. "Macmahon is working with the security agencies to resolve this situation," said Viola Graham-Douglas, a spokeswoman for Lafarge Africa. Macmahon Holdings Ltd, which was placed on a trading halt in the wake of the incident, could not immediately be reached for comment. (Reuters)

Nigerian gunmen kill one and kidnap seven, including Australians

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