Taliban fighters are threatening major oil wells near the northern <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/un-says-hopes-for-peace-in-afghanistan-are-well-founded-179048">Afghan city</a> of Sar-e Pul following days of fighting in which dozens of members of the security forces have been killed and wounded, officials and residents said on Friday.

"The security situation in Sar-e Pul province is alarming," said Zabiullah Amani, the provincial governor’s spokesman.

"We have had promises that reinforcements would be sent to the city but nothing has been done yet," he said.

About 40 members of the security forces were killed or wounded near Sar-e Pul on Tuesday during hours of fighting that underlined the heavy pressure Afghan government forces are facing even as moves towards peace have intensified.

"The Taliban have been launching major attacks for some time with the aim of securing these oil fields and we’ve set up a special protection force but they don’t have advanced equipment," Amani said.

The wells in the Angot field, about 11 km east of Sar-e Pul city and Kashkari, 12 km to the south, were developed during the Soviet presence in <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/understanding-the-afghanistan-parliamentary-elections-171961&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjsgIffoNTfAhVMKY8KHUicBus4ChAWCBowBw&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3ro4XJX4Jf0EBV5UW_fTrF">Afghanistan</a>.

Amani said eight wells were active, with millions of dollars' worth of military equipment, including armoured vehicles stored close by.

"These wells are economically important, not just for the province of Sar-e Pul but for the whole of Afghanistan," he said.

The capture of the wells would deliver a blow to the government and bolster Taliban finances, adding to revenues from taxation, mining and opium.

An aide to interior minister Amrullah Saleh said additional forces had been sent to the oil fields from neighbouring districts and a team from Kabul would be sent in coming days.

"As of now, the area is secure but we cannot deny the threat warning," he said, adding that companies operating the wells had been alerted.

The fighting comes as another round of talks is expected between US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban representatives to try to work out the basis for peace talks to end the 17-year Afghan war.

With US intentions unclear following reports that President Donald Trump is preparing to withdraw almost half of the estimated 14,000 US troops from Afghanistan, pressure on Afghan forces has been mounting.

Hekmat Haidari, a resident of Sar-e Pul city, said the situation in the province had been deteriorating sharply over recent days as the Taliban have stepped up operations.

"The oil wells in this province are a major source of income for Afghanistan and specially for Sar-e Pul province and the Taliban are trying to capture these wells or to destroy them," he said.

Taliban fighters are threatening major oil wells near the northern Afghan city of Sar-e Pul following days of fighting in which dozens of members of the security forces have been killed and wounded, officials and residents said on Friday.

Taliban fighters are threatening major oil wells near the northern Afghan city of Sar-e Pul following days of fighting in which dozens of members of the security forces have been killed and wounded, officials and residents said on Friday. "The security situation in Sar-e Pul province is alarming," said Zabiullah Amani, the provincial governor’s spokesman. "We have had promises that reinforcements would be sent to the city but nothing has been done yet," he said. About 40 members of the security forces were killed or wounded near Sar-e Pul on Tuesday during hours of fighting that underlined the heavy pressure Afghan government forces are facing even as moves towards peace have intensified. "The Taliban have been launching major attacks for some time with the aim of securing these oil fields and we’ve set up a special protection force but they don’t have advanced equipment," Amani said. The wells in the Angot field, about 11 km east of Sar-e Pul city and Kashkari, 12 km to the south, were developed during the Soviet presence in Afghanistan. Amani said eight wells were active, with millions of dollars' worth of military equipment, including armoured vehicles stored close by. "These wells are economically important, not just for the province of Sar-e Pul but for the whole of Afghanistan," he said. The capture of the wells would deliver a blow to the government and bolster Taliban finances, adding to revenues from taxation, mining and opium. An aide to interior minister Amrullah Saleh said additional forces had been sent to the oil fields from neighbouring districts and a team from Kabul would be sent in coming days. "As of now, the area is secure but we cannot deny the threat warning," he said, adding that companies operating the wells had been alerted. The fighting comes as another round of talks is expected between US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban representatives to try to work out the basis for peace talks to end the 17-year Afghan war. With US intentions unclear following reports that President Donald Trump is preparing to withdraw almost half of the estimated 14,000 US troops from Afghanistan, pressure on Afghan forces has been mounting. Hekmat Haidari, a resident of Sar-e Pul city, said the situation in the province had been deteriorating sharply over recent days as the Taliban have stepped up operations. "The oil wells in this province are a major source of income for Afghanistan and specially for Sar-e Pul province and the Taliban are trying to capture these wells or to destroy them," he said.

Taliban threaten oil fields in northern Afghanistan

Iraq's newly appointed education minister has said she tendered her resignation over online accusations her brother was a member of the jihadist Islamic State group.

Shaima al-Hayali announced her decision in a tweet on Saturday, two weeks after parliament approved her nomination, saying she had handed her resignation to Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi.

"I announce that I have submitted my resignation to the prime minister... and it is up to him to decide whether he will accept it once he has ascertained any link between me and terrorists," she said in the tweet.

Her decision comes days after MPs and local officials from Mosul made accusations online that her brother, Layth al-Hayali, was an IS member.

The accusations were accompanied by two videos dating back to 2016 showing Layth in IS propaganda videos, at a time when he worked for a local administration in IS-held Nineveh province, where Mosul is located.

In these videos, the man, whose whereabouts are currently unknown, can be heard denouncing US-led air strikes against the jihadist group.

"He was forced, under the threat of arms, to work in an administration controlled by IS," Shaima al-Hayali said.

But she added that her brother "never touched a weapon and never helped kill a fellow Iraqi citizen".

According to media reports and two activists, one of Layth al-Hayali's sons was killed while carrying out a suicide attack and another while fighting against Iraqi forces.

There was no immediate reaction from the prime minister's office concerning Hayali's resignation.

Iraq's newly appointed education minister has said she tendered her resignation over online accusations her brother was a member of the jihadist Islamic State group.

Iraq's newly appointed education minister has said she tendered her resignation over online accusations her brother was a member of the jihadist Islamic State group. Shaima al-Hayali announced her decision in a tweet on Saturday, two weeks after parliament approved her nomination, saying she had handed her resignation to Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi. "I announce that I have submitted my resignation to the prime minister... and it is up to him to decide whether he will accept it once he has ascertained any link between me and terrorists," she said in the tweet. Her decision comes days after MPs and local officials from Mosul made accusations online that her brother, Layth al-Hayali, was an IS member. The accusations were accompanied by two videos dating back to 2016 showing Layth in IS propaganda videos, at a time when he worked for a local administration in IS-held Nineveh province, where Mosul is located. In these videos, the man, whose whereabouts are currently unknown, can be heard denouncing US-led air strikes against the jihadist group. "He was forced, under the threat of arms, to work in an administration controlled by IS," Shaima al-Hayali said. But she added that her brother "never touched a weapon and never helped kill a fellow Iraqi citizen". According to media reports and two activists, one of Layth al-Hayali's sons was killed while carrying out a suicide attack and another while fighting against Iraqi forces. There was no immediate reaction from the prime minister's office concerning Hayali's resignation.

New Iraq minister quits over videos linking her brother to IS

ISIS flag raised at Jama Masjid in Kashmir

President Donald Trump's declaration in a phone call with Tayyip Erdogan that he was pulling US&nbsp;troops from Syria has stunned Turkey and left it scrambling to respond to the changing battlefield on its southern border.

In the phone call two weeks ago, Trump had been expected to deliver a standard warning to the Turkish president over his plan to launch a crossborder attack targeting US-backed Kurdish forces in northeast Syria, US officials say.

Instead, in the course of the conversation Trump reshaped US policy in the Middle East, abandoning a quarter of Syrian territory and handing Ankara the job of finishing off Islamic State in Syria.

"Trump asked: 'If we withdraw our soldiers, can you clean up ISIS?'", a Turkish official told Reuters. He said Erdogan replied that Turkish forces were up to the task.

"Then you do it," Trump told him abruptly. To his national security adviser John Bolton, also on the call, Trump said: "Start work for the withdrawal of US&nbsp;troops from Syria."

"I have to say it was an unexpected decision. The word 'surprise' is too weak to describe the situation," said the official, one of five Turkish sources who spoke to Reuters about the Dec. 14 call between the two leaders.

Trump's decision was also a shock in Washington, where senior administration officials, including Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, tried for days to change the president's mind, US officials said. When Trump made clear he would not back down, Mattis and a senior official coordinating the fight against Islamic State, Brett McGurk, both resigned.

On a visit to a US&nbsp;air base in Iraq this week, Trump said that military commanders had repeatedly requested extensions for the 2,000 US&nbsp;troops in Syria - requests that he finally turned down because he said Islamic State was largely beaten.

"We've knocked them silly. I will tell you I've had some very good talks with President Erdogan who wants to knock them out also, and he'll do it," he told American troops.

Risk for Turkey

For Turkey, Trump's decision offers opportunity and risk.

Ankara has complained bitterly for years that the United States, a NATO ally, had chosen the Kurdish YPG militia as its main partner on the ground in Syria against Islamic State.

Turkey says the YPG is a terrorist group, inseparable from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which has waged an insurgency in southeast Turkey in which 40,000 people have been killed.

The US&nbsp;withdrawal potentially frees Turkey's military to push the YPG back from 500 km of border without risking a confrontation with American forces. It also removes a main cause of this year's diplomatic crisis between the two countries.

But it also opens up an area of Syria far larger than anything Turkey had expected to fill, potentially pitting it against not just Kurdish forces but also the Damascus government - which is committed to regaining control of all of Syria - and its Russian and Iranian backers.

The YPG on Friday asked the Syrian government to take over the town of Manbij, which the Kurdish militia currently controls with US&nbsp;support, to protect it from Turkish attack.

And if Turkish forces are to take on Islamic State in its last pocket of Syrian territory near the Iraqi border, they would first have to cross 250 km of territory controlled by the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces.

"Erdogan got more than he bargained for," said Soner Cagaptay, Director of the Turkish Program at the Washington Institute. "He had asked the US&nbsp;to drop the YPG, but not withdraw from Syria".

Erdogan has for years backed rebels who once hoped to topple Bashar al-Assad, but the Syrian president's survival has been assured by support from Tehran and Moscow even though the north and east - including Syrian oilfields - remain beyond Assad's control for now.

As it takes stock of the new challenge, Turkey is launching intensive talks with Washington and Moscow. Ankara expects US&nbsp;military officials to visit within days, as well as Bolton and possibly the US&nbsp;special Syria envoy, James Jeffrey.

Turkey's intelligence chief and defence and foreign ministers are also due in Moscow on Saturday, the spokesman for Erdogan's AK Party said.

"Of course it will be difficult. The whole issue needs to be planned again from the start," a Turkish security official said.

A US&nbsp;official said military planners were drafting plans that could see a withdrawal over the course of several months. One of the proposals under consideration is a 120-day withdrawal period, according a person familiar with discussions.

Washington is also grappling with what to do with weapons it provided to the YPG militia and promised to take back after the campaign against Islamic State ended.

Turkey says the weapons must be collected so they are not used against Turkish troops, but US&nbsp;officials say they cannot disarm their own allies when the fight is not yet over.

Erdogan announced last week Turkey is postponing its planned military operation against the YPG in light of Trump's decision.

The Turkish military has already carried out two incursions into north Syria, backed by pro-Turkey Syrian rebels. In 2016 they targeted Islamic State and Kurdish fighters, and earlier this year took control of the YPG-held Afrin region.

But Ankara and its Syrian rebel allies alone do not have the capacity to take over the whole region which the United States is abandoning, Cagaptay said. Turkey's priority therefore may be to secure its southern frontier.

"Distancing the YPG from the border and wiping out these elements is of critical importance," the security official said.

He stressed the need for careful coordination over who should fill other areas which departing US&nbsp;forces will leave, and warned of problems ahead if agreement could not be reached.

"Is it a big victory for Turkey?" another official said. "I'm not sure right now."

In the phone call two weeks ago, Trump had been expected to deliver a standard warning to the Turkish president over his plan to launch a crossborder attack targeting US-backed Kurdish forces in northeast Syria, US officials say.

President Donald Trump's declaration in a phone call with Tayyip Erdogan that he was pulling US troops from Syria has stunned Turkey and left it scrambling to respond to the changing battlefield on its southern border. In the phone call two weeks ago, Trump had been expected to deliver a standard warning to the Turkish president over his plan to launch a crossborder attack targeting US-backed Kurdish forces in northeast Syria, US officials say. Instead, in the course of the conversation Trump reshaped US policy in the Middle East, abandoning a quarter of Syrian territory and handing Ankara the job of finishing off Islamic State in Syria. "Trump asked: 'If we withdraw our soldiers, can you clean up ISIS?'", a Turkish official told Reuters. He said Erdogan replied that Turkish forces were up to the task. "Then you do it," Trump told him abruptly. To his national security adviser John Bolton, also on the call, Trump said: "Start work for the withdrawal of US troops from Syria." "I have to say it was an unexpected decision. The word 'surprise' is too weak to describe the situation," said the official, one of five Turkish sources who spoke to Reuters about the Dec. 14 call between the two leaders. Trump's decision was also a shock in Washington, where senior administration officials, including Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, tried for days to change the president's mind, US officials said. When Trump made clear he would not back down, Mattis and a senior official coordinating the fight against Islamic State, Brett McGurk, both resigned. On a visit to a US air base in Iraq this week, Trump said that military commanders had repeatedly requested extensions for the 2,000 US troops in Syria - requests that he finally turned down because he said Islamic State was largely beaten. "We've knocked them silly. I will tell you I've had some very good talks with President Erdogan who wants to knock them out also, and he'll do it," he told American troops. Risk for Turkey For Turkey, Trump's decision offers opportunity and risk. Ankara has complained bitterly for years that the United States, a NATO ally, had chosen the Kurdish YPG militia as its main partner on the ground in Syria against Islamic State. Turkey says the YPG is a terrorist group, inseparable from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which has waged an insurgency in southeast Turkey in which 40,000 people have been killed. The US withdrawal potentially frees Turkey's military to push the YPG back from 500 km of border without risking a confrontation with American forces. It also removes a main cause of this year's diplomatic crisis between the two countries. But it also opens up an area of Syria far larger than anything Turkey had expected to fill, potentially pitting it against not just Kurdish forces but also the Damascus government - which is committed to regaining control of all of Syria - and its Russian and Iranian backers. The YPG on Friday asked the Syrian government to take over the town of Manbij, which the Kurdish militia currently controls with US support, to protect it from Turkish attack. And if Turkish forces are to take on Islamic State in its last pocket of Syrian territory near the Iraqi border, they would first have to cross 250 km of territory controlled by the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces. "Erdogan got more than he bargained for," said Soner Cagaptay, Director of the Turkish Program at the Washington Institute. "He had asked the US to drop the YPG, but not withdraw from Syria". Erdogan has for years backed rebels who once hoped to topple Bashar al-Assad, but the Syrian president's survival has been assured by support from Tehran and Moscow even though the north and east - including Syrian oilfields - remain beyond Assad's control for now. As it takes stock of the new challenge, Turkey is launching intensive talks with Washington and Moscow. Ankara expects US military officials to visit within days, as well as Bolton and possibly the US special Syria envoy, James Jeffrey. Turkey's intelligence chief and defence and foreign ministers are also due in Moscow on Saturday, the spokesman for Erdogan's AK Party said. "Of course it will be difficult. The whole issue needs to be planned again from the start," a Turkish security official said. A US official said military planners were drafting plans that could see a withdrawal over the course of several months. One of the proposals under consideration is a 120-day withdrawal period, according a person familiar with discussions. Washington is also grappling with what to do with weapons it provided to the YPG militia and promised to take back after the campaign against Islamic State ended. Turkey says the weapons must be collected so they are not used against Turkish troops, but US officials say they cannot disarm their own allies when the fight is not yet over. Erdogan announced last week Turkey is postponing its planned military operation against the YPG in light of Trump's decision. The Turkish military has already carried out two incursions into north Syria, backed by pro-Turkey Syrian rebels. In 2016 they targeted Islamic State and Kurdish fighters, and earlier this year took control of the YPG-held Afrin region. But Ankara and its Syrian rebel allies alone do not have the capacity to take over the whole region which the United States is abandoning, Cagaptay said. Turkey's priority therefore may be to secure its southern frontier. "Distancing the YPG from the border and wiping out these elements is of critical importance," the security official said. He stressed the need for careful coordination over who should fill other areas which departing US forces will leave, and warned of problems ahead if agreement could not be reached. "Is it a big victory for Turkey?" another official said. "I'm not sure right now."

Syrian surprise: How Trump's phone call changed the war

10 detained in NIA raids across Delhi, UP to bust new IS-inspired terror module

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/terror-group-was-planning-serial-blasts-in-north-india-17-locations-raided-10-arrested-nia-186660">arrested 10 suspected members </a>of a newly set up<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/nia-conducts-raids-across-delhi-and-uttar-pradesh-detains-10-to-bust-new-isis-inspired-terror-module-186623"> ISIS-inspired terror outfit in New Delhi</a> that was allegedly planning to carry out series of suicide attacks in Delhi and north India targeting important political personalities, vital installations and crowded places.

The group comprises men in the 20-35 age group with moderate education (barring two) levels, hailing from middle-income group families and radicalised by an Amroha-based Mufti, who is also the alleged mastermind and founder of 'Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam', which can be loosely translated as 'war for the cause of Islam', the NIA has claimed.

Following are their brief profiles and roles as per NIA inputs:

1.&nbsp;Mufti Mohammed Suhail alias Hazrath (29): The alleged founder of the group is a native of Amroha in West Uttar Pradesh where he works as a Mufti in a madrasa at Hakim Mahtab Uddin Hashmi Road. Presently residing in Jafrabad in North East Delhi, he allegedly founded the group three-four months back and indoctrinated its members using on-line resources linked to the ISIS. A video has been seized by the agency where Suhail can be heard telling how to assemble bomb using a circuit.&nbsp;

It is alleged that he had tasked other team members to procure arms, explosives and other accessories to prepare remote-controlled bombs and pipe-bombs.

2.&nbsp;Anas Yunus (24): A resident of Jafrabad. He is a student of Civil Engineering at a private university in Noida. He procured electrical items, alarm clocks and batteries etc to be used in assembling bombs in furtherance of their terror conspiracy.

3.&nbsp;Rashid Zafar Raq alias Zafar (23): Also a resident of Jafrabad. He is into garments business and was part of the group.

4.&nbsp;Saeed alias Sayeed (28): A resident of Saidapur Imma, Amroha, runs a welding shop in Amroha where some pistols and rocket launcher were fabricated.

5.Saeed's brother Raees Ahmad: A resident of Saidapur Imma, Amroha, UP. He owns a welding shop at Islam Nagar, Near Idgah, Amroha, Uttar Pradesh. The brothers had allegedly procured 25 kilograms of explosive material and gunpowder for preparing IEDs and pipe bombs and were instrumental in fabricating a rocket launcher to carry out terrorist attacks.

6.&nbsp;Zubair Malik (20): A resident of Jafrabad. He is a student of BA 3rd year at a University in Delhi.

7.&nbsp;Zubair's brother Zaid (22): A resident of Jafrabad. Both the brothers were part of the terror conspiracy and were instrumental in procuring batteries, connectors, SIM cards (135 recovered during searches) on fake documents and mobilising funds for buying bomb-making material. Both allegedly stole family gold to arrange for money.

8.&nbsp;Saqib Iftekar (26): A resident of Hapur, Uttar Pradesh. He works as an Imam in Jama Masjid, Baksar, Uttar Pradesh and helped Mohammed Suhail in procuring weapons. The agency has recovered 12 pistols, 150 rounds of live ammunition, knives and swords during searches.

9.&nbsp;Mohammed Irshad (in late 20s): A resident of Mohalla Qazi Zada, Amroha. An auto-rickshaw driver who was helping Mohammed Suhail in arranging a hideout for keeping the material for making IEDs and bombs. The agency has recovered 25 kg of explosive material, such as Potassium Nitrate, Ammonium Nitrate, Sulphur, Sugar material paste, 112 alarm clocks, mobile phone circuits, batteries, 51 pipes, remote control toys, wireless digital doorbell, steel containers, electric wires.

10.&nbsp;Mohammed Azam (35): A resident of Chauhan Bajar, Delhi. He runs a medical shop in Seelampur, Shahdara, Delhi and helped Mohammed Suhail arrange weapons. 
&nbsp;

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested 10 suspected members of a newly set up ISIS-inspired terror outfit in New Delhi that was allegedly planning to carry out series of suicide attacks in Delhi and north India targeting important political personalities, vital installations and crowded places.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested 10 suspected members of a newly set up ISIS-inspired terror outfit in New Delhi that was allegedly planning to carry out series of suicide attacks in Delhi and north India targeting important political personalities, vital installations and crowded places. The group comprises men in the 20-35 age group with moderate education (barring two) levels, hailing from middle-income group families and radicalised by an Amroha-based Mufti, who is also the alleged mastermind and founder of 'Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam', which can be loosely translated as 'war for the cause of Islam', the NIA has claimed. Following are their brief profiles and roles as per NIA inputs: 1. Mufti Mohammed Suhail alias Hazrath (29): The alleged founder of the group is a native of Amroha in West Uttar Pradesh where he works as a Mufti in a madrasa at Hakim Mahtab Uddin Hashmi Road. Presently residing in Jafrabad in North East Delhi, he allegedly founded the group three-four months back and indoctrinated its members using on-line resources linked to the ISIS. A video has been seized by the agency where Suhail can be heard telling how to assemble bomb using a circuit. It is alleged that he had tasked other team members to procure arms, explosives and other accessories to prepare remote-controlled bombs and pipe-bombs. 2. Anas Yunus (24): A resident of Jafrabad. He is a student of Civil Engineering at a private university in Noida. He procured electrical items, alarm clocks and batteries etc to be used in assembling bombs in furtherance of their terror conspiracy. 3. Rashid Zafar Raq alias Zafar (23): Also a resident of Jafrabad. He is into garments business and was part of the group. 4. Saeed alias Sayeed (28): A resident of Saidapur Imma, Amroha, runs a welding shop in Amroha where some pistols and rocket launcher were fabricated. 5.Saeed's brother Raees Ahmad: A resident of Saidapur Imma, Amroha, UP. He owns a welding shop at Islam Nagar, Near Idgah, Amroha, Uttar Pradesh. The brothers had allegedly procured 25 kilograms of explosive material and gunpowder for preparing IEDs and pipe bombs and were instrumental in fabricating a rocket launcher to carry out terrorist attacks. 6. Zubair Malik (20): A resident of Jafrabad. He is a student of BA 3rd year at a University in Delhi. 7. Zubair's brother Zaid (22): A resident of Jafrabad. Both the brothers were part of the terror conspiracy and were instrumental in procuring batteries, connectors, SIM cards (135 recovered during searches) on fake documents and mobilising funds for buying bomb-making material. Both allegedly stole family gold to arrange for money. 8. Saqib Iftekar (26): A resident of Hapur, Uttar Pradesh. He works as an Imam in Jama Masjid, Baksar, Uttar Pradesh and helped Mohammed Suhail in procuring weapons. The agency has recovered 12 pistols, 150 rounds of live ammunition, knives and swords during searches. 9. Mohammed Irshad (in late 20s): A resident of Mohalla Qazi Zada, Amroha. An auto-rickshaw driver who was helping Mohammed Suhail in arranging a hideout for keeping the material for making IEDs and bombs. The agency has recovered 25 kg of explosive material, such as Potassium Nitrate, Ammonium Nitrate, Sulphur, Sugar material paste, 112 alarm clocks, mobile phone circuits, batteries, 51 pipes, remote control toys, wireless digital doorbell, steel containers, electric wires. 10. Mohammed Azam (35): A resident of Chauhan Bajar, Delhi. He runs a medical shop in Seelampur, Shahdara, Delhi and helped Mohammed Suhail arrange weapons.

From engineering student to welders: Those behind ISIS-inspired group busted by NIA

In news that had rung alarm bells across the country, National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday busted an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/nia-conducts-raids-across-delhi-and-uttar-pradesh-detains-10-to-bust-new-isis-inspired-terror-module-186623">Islamic State-inspired terror module</a> styled as 'Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam' and arrested 10 people, 5 in Delhi and 5 in Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;

The NIA carried out searches in 17 location in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh all through the day with the active support of Delhi Police and UP Police/UP ATS.

The man at the centre of the module is 29-year-old Mufti Mohammad Suhail a native of Amroha, UP was presently staying at Delhi's Jaffrabad and had tasked other team members to procure arms, explosives and other accessories to prepare IED’s and pipe-bombs.16 people were taken in custody and a female was also involved.&nbsp;

All the men in the module were from middle-class families between the age group of 27 to 30 years.&nbsp;

24-year-old Anas Yunus from Jafrabad was pursuing Civil Engineering at a University in, Noida. He was instrumental in procuring electrical items, alarm clocks &amp; batteries etc. 20-year-old Zubair Malik from Jaffrabad was studying in BA 3rd year at a University in Delhi.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> NIA conducts a raid in Delhi's Jafrabad area in connection with a new ISIS module styled as 'Harkat ul Harb e Islam' . <a href="https://t.co/GL1GjOa1tq">pic.twitter.com/GL1GjOa1tq</a>
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Other were into garments business, one worked at a welding shop in Amroha, and another ran a medical shop in Seelampur, Shahdara, Delhi.

Mufti Suhail and his associates mobilized funds and procured weapons, ammunition and explosive material to prepare IED’s and bombs and they plan to carry out explosions and fidayeen attacks at places of importance in &amp; around Delhi and also target crowded places.&nbsp;

Briefing the media, NIA IG Alok Mittal said, "Total amount worth Rs 7.5 lakh recovered, nearly 100 mobile phone, 135 SIM cards, laptops and memory also seized. Some of the searches are still underway. After initial interrogation of the 16 suspects, we have decided to arrest 10 accused."

Searches were carried out at 6 places in Jafrabad, Seelampur, Delhi, and 11 places in Uttar Pradesh i.e. 6 in Amroha, 2 in Lucknow, 2 in Hapur and 1 in Meerut. The seized items include 25 kg of explosive material, such as Potassium Nitrate, Ammonium Nitrate, Sulphur, Sugar material paste, 12 pistols, 150 rounds of live ammunition, 112 alarm clocks, mobile phone circuits, batteries, 51 pipes, remote control car triggering switch, wireless digital doorbell for remote switch, steel containers, electric wires, 91 mobile phones, 134 SIM cards, 3 laptops, knife, sword, ISIS-related literature and a cash amount of Rs. 7.5 lacs approximately. NIA also recovered 1 country- made a rocket launcher.

The arrested accused would be produced before the NIA Special Court in Delhi's Patiala Court House on Thursday.

The development came on the day when NIA arrested 25-year-old Habeeb Rahman from Wayanad Kerala in the ISIS Kasaragod Module Case. The case relates to the criminal conspiracy hatched by the accused persons from Kasaragod district of Kerala with the intention of joining ISIS. 14 accused persons from Kasaragod district had exited India and their workplaces in Middle-East Asia to visit Afghanistan and Syria and join the ISIS.

In news that had rung alarm bells across the country, National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday busted an Islamic State-inspired terror module styled as 'Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam' and arrested 10 people, 5 in Delhi and 5 in Uttar Pradesh.

In news that had rung alarm bells across the country, National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday busted an Islamic State-inspired terror module styled as 'Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam' and arrested 10 people, 5 in Delhi and 5 in Uttar Pradesh. The NIA carried out searches in 17 location in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh all through the day with the active support of Delhi Police and UP Police/UP ATS. The man at the centre of the module is 29-year-old Mufti Mohammad Suhail a native of Amroha, UP was presently staying at Delhi's Jaffrabad and had tasked other team members to procure arms, explosives and other accessories to prepare IED’s and pipe-bombs.16 people were taken in custody and a female was also involved. All the men in the module were from middle-class families between the age group of 27 to 30 years. 24-year-old Anas Yunus from Jafrabad was pursuing Civil Engineering at a University in, Noida. He was instrumental in procuring electrical items, alarm clocks & batteries etc. 20-year-old Zubair Malik from Jaffrabad was studying in BA 3rd year at a University in Delhi. #WATCH NIA conducts a raid in Delhi's Jafrabad area in connection with a new ISIS module styled as 'Harkat ul Harb e Islam' . pic.twitter.com/GL1GjOa1tq — ANI (@ANI) December 26, 2018 × Other were into garments business, one worked at a welding shop in Amroha, and another ran a medical shop in Seelampur, Shahdara, Delhi. Mufti Suhail and his associates mobilized funds and procured weapons, ammunition and explosive material to prepare IED’s and bombs and they plan to carry out explosions and fidayeen attacks at places of importance in & around Delhi and also target crowded places. Briefing the media, NIA IG Alok Mittal said, "Total amount worth Rs 7.5 lakh recovered, nearly 100 mobile phone, 135 SIM cards, laptops and memory also seized. Some of the searches are still underway. After initial interrogation of the 16 suspects, we have decided to arrest 10 accused." Searches were carried out at 6 places in Jafrabad, Seelampur, Delhi, and 11 places in Uttar Pradesh i.e. 6 in Amroha, 2 in Lucknow, 2 in Hapur and 1 in Meerut. The seized items include 25 kg of explosive material, such as Potassium Nitrate, Ammonium Nitrate, Sulphur, Sugar material paste, 12 pistols, 150 rounds of live ammunition, 112 alarm clocks, mobile phone circuits, batteries, 51 pipes, remote control car triggering switch, wireless digital doorbell for remote switch, steel containers, electric wires, 91 mobile phones, 134 SIM cards, 3 laptops, knife, sword, ISIS-related literature and a cash amount of Rs. 7.5 lacs approximately. NIA also recovered 1 country- made a rocket launcher. The arrested accused would be produced before the NIA Special Court in Delhi's Patiala Court House on Thursday. The development came on the day when NIA arrested 25-year-old Habeeb Rahman from Wayanad Kerala in the ISIS Kasaragod Module Case. The case relates to the criminal conspiracy hatched by the accused persons from Kasaragod district of Kerala with the intention of joining ISIS. 14 accused persons from Kasaragod district had exited India and their workplaces in Middle-East Asia to visit Afghanistan and Syria and join the ISIS.

ISIS-inspired terror module rings alarm bells; Mufti, two university students arrested

Suicide <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/attackers-hit-libya-foreign-ministry-in-tripoli-one-dead-186382">attackers stormed the Libyan foreign ministry</a> in the capital Tripoli on Tuesday, killing at least three people including a senior civil servant in an attack claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group.

Twenty-one other people were wounded in the attack, authorities said.

A car bomb exploded near the ministry, prompting security forces to rush to the scene, said special forces spokesman Tarak al-Dawass.

A suicide bomber then blew himself up on the second floor of the building while a second attacker died when a suitcase he was carrying exploded, he said.

A third assailant, who was unarmed and wearing a bulletproof vest, was killed by security forces outside, Dawass added.

At least three people were killed and 21 wounded, according to the health ministry.

Foreign Minister Tahar Siala said one of the dead was senior diplomat Ibrahim al-Shaibi who headed a department in his ministry.

Plumes of smoke were seen rising from the building as ambulances, paramedics and security forces gathered outside.

IS claimed the attack in a statement distributed on social media, saying that it was carried out by three "soldiers of the caliphate" who were armed with suicide belts and automatic weapons.

Interior Minister Fathi Bash Agha admitted during a news conference that "security chaos" reigned in Libya and was "out of our control".

He said this was creating a "fertile ground" for IS to operate in the North African country.

Torn apart by power struggles and undermined by chronic insecurity, Libya has become a haven for jihadists since the ouster and killing of Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

Jihadist foothold

Two competing administrations, rival militias, tribes and jihadists have been vying for control of territory and the country's vast oil wealth.

IS took advantage of the chaos to gain a foothold in the coastal city of Sirte in 2015.

Forces loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) regained control of Sirte in December 2016 after eight months of deadly fighting.

Since then, some jihadists have returned to the desert in an attempt to regroup and reorganise.

The interior minister said his department lacked the equipment necessary to restore law and order in Libya.

Bach Agha said he found "zero weapons and zero vehicles" in the ministry's warehouses when he took up his job in October.

"Weakness and a security breakdown" allowed assailants to attack the foreign ministry, he said.

The foreign minister said the UN should lift an arms embargo it has imposed on Libya since the 2011 uprising.

"Stability cannot be restored... without a partial lifting of the embargo. It is needed to guarantee security and combat terrorism," Siala told reporters.

Envoys denounce attack

The head of the UN mission in Libya (UNSMIL) denounced the "cowardly terrorist attack" in a statement.

Ghassan Salame also pledged to work with Libyan people "to prevent terrorist groups from turning Libya into a haven... for their crimes".

Frank Baker, Britain's ambassador to Libya, also denounced an "appalling terrorist attack" and tweeted his condolences to the families of the victims.

Italian Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi joined the chorus of condemnation in a statement reiterating Rome's "solidarity with the Libyan people and their just aspiration to real security".

In September, IS claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on the headquarters of Libya's National Oil Company in the heart of Tripoli which left two dead and 10 wounded.

Four months earlier, it claimed an attack on the electoral commission's headquarters which left 14 dead.

In April, the GNA launched an operation to track down IS fighters operating in areas of western Libya under its control.

Last month IS claimed responsibility for an attack on militia forces in southeastern Libya in which at least nine people were killed.

The US military has regularly carried out strikes on jihadists in Libya, particularly south of Sirte.

The GNA was set up under a 2015 UN-brokered deal, but a rival administration based in the country's east aligned with military strongman Khalifa Haftar refuses to recognise its authority.

Rival Libyan leaders had agreed to a Paris-brokered deal in May to hold a nationwide election by the end of the year.

But instability, territorial disputes and divisions have delayed plans for elections.

Suicide attackers stormed the Libyan foreign ministry in the capital Tripoli on Tuesday, killing at least three people including a senior civil servant in an attack claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group.

Suicide attackers stormed the Libyan foreign ministry in the capital Tripoli on Tuesday, killing at least three people including a senior civil servant in an attack claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group. Twenty-one other people were wounded in the attack, authorities said. A car bomb exploded near the ministry, prompting security forces to rush to the scene, said special forces spokesman Tarak al-Dawass. A suicide bomber then blew himself up on the second floor of the building while a second attacker died when a suitcase he was carrying exploded, he said. A third assailant, who was unarmed and wearing a bulletproof vest, was killed by security forces outside, Dawass added. At least three people were killed and 21 wounded, according to the health ministry. Foreign Minister Tahar Siala said one of the dead was senior diplomat Ibrahim al-Shaibi who headed a department in his ministry. Plumes of smoke were seen rising from the building as ambulances, paramedics and security forces gathered outside. IS claimed the attack in a statement distributed on social media, saying that it was carried out by three "soldiers of the caliphate" who were armed with suicide belts and automatic weapons. Interior Minister Fathi Bash Agha admitted during a news conference that "security chaos" reigned in Libya and was "out of our control". He said this was creating a "fertile ground" for IS to operate in the North African country. Torn apart by power struggles and undermined by chronic insecurity, Libya has become a haven for jihadists since the ouster and killing of Moamer Kadhafi in 2011. Jihadist foothold Two competing administrations, rival militias, tribes and jihadists have been vying for control of territory and the country's vast oil wealth. IS took advantage of the chaos to gain a foothold in the coastal city of Sirte in 2015. Forces loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) regained control of Sirte in December 2016 after eight months of deadly fighting. Since then, some jihadists have returned to the desert in an attempt to regroup and reorganise. The interior minister said his department lacked the equipment necessary to restore law and order in Libya. Bach Agha said he found "zero weapons and zero vehicles" in the ministry's warehouses when he took up his job in October. "Weakness and a security breakdown" allowed assailants to attack the foreign ministry, he said. The foreign minister said the UN should lift an arms embargo it has imposed on Libya since the 2011 uprising. "Stability cannot be restored... without a partial lifting of the embargo. It is needed to guarantee security and combat terrorism," Siala told reporters. Envoys denounce attack The head of the UN mission in Libya (UNSMIL) denounced the "cowardly terrorist attack" in a statement. Ghassan Salame also pledged to work with Libyan people "to prevent terrorist groups from turning Libya into a haven... for their crimes". Frank Baker, Britain's ambassador to Libya, also denounced an "appalling terrorist attack" and tweeted his condolences to the families of the victims. Italian Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi joined the chorus of condemnation in a statement reiterating Rome's "solidarity with the Libyan people and their just aspiration to real security". In September, IS claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on the headquarters of Libya's National Oil Company in the heart of Tripoli which left two dead and 10 wounded. Four months earlier, it claimed an attack on the electoral commission's headquarters which left 14 dead. In April, the GNA launched an operation to track down IS fighters operating in areas of western Libya under its control. Last month IS claimed responsibility for an attack on militia forces in southeastern Libya in which at least nine people were killed. The US military has regularly carried out strikes on jihadists in Libya, particularly south of Sirte. The GNA was set up under a 2015 UN-brokered deal, but a rival administration based in the country's east aligned with military strongman Khalifa Haftar refuses to recognise its authority. Rival Libyan leaders had agreed to a Paris-brokered deal in May to hold a nationwide election by the end of the year. But instability, territorial disputes and divisions have delayed plans for elections.

Islamic State claims attack on Libya foreign ministry that killed three

Turkey vowed on Monday that the fight against Islamic State would not be slowed by the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-sees-limits-of-trump-support-with-syria-pullout-186084"> US withdrawal from Syria</a>, where Ankara-backed rebels reinforced their positions around the potential flashpoint town of Manbij.

Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for President Tayyip Erdogan dismissed concerns that the withdrawal ordered by US President Donald Trump would allow Islamic State to regain territory.

"As part of the global coalition to defeat ISIS, we would like to express again that we will not allow such a thing to happen on Syrian soil, Iraqi soil or Turkish soil," Kalin told a news conference.

He added that there would be no disruption or slowdown of the fight against the militant group.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/erdogan-invites-trump-to-visit-turkey-white-house-186256">Erdogan and Trump</a> agreed in a phone call on Sunday to establish military and diplomatic coordination to prevent a power vacuum from developing as the United States withdraws.

A committee of US military officials will visit Turkey this week to discuss the details of the pullout with their counterparts, Kalin said, adding that Turkey would also increase coordination with Russia in Syria.

In Washington, Pentagon spokeswoman Heather Babb confirmed there would be meetings in Turkey this week. She said the two countries were "coordinating actively on all issues affecting both Turkish security and the situation in Northeast Syria," but declined to give details of the discussions.

Russia supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Turkey has backed rebels fighting against him. The two countries reached an agreement in September to create a demilitarised zone in the Idlib region, the last major rebel stronghold.&nbsp;

Trump's abrupt decision to pull troops out of Syria has upended American policy in the region. It will also effectively hand the fight against Islamic State in Syria to Turkey and set Ankara up to broaden its push against the Syrian Kurdish YPG.

Differences over Syria have long been a source of tension between the United States and Turkey. Washington has backed the YPG in the fight against Islamic State, but Ankara sees the militia as a terrorist organisation.

Flashpoint?

A rebel spokesman said on Monday Turkish-backed Syrian forces had reinforced the area around the town of Manbij, occupied by the Kurdish fighters, in preparation for the US withdrawal.

"Yesterday units from the (rebel) Syrian National Army headed towards the Manbij front and took preliminary positions (in preparation) for the battle," said Major Youssef Hamoud, the spokesman for the National Army.

US forces are still in Manbij and the Turkish-backed fighters will not advance until they withdraw, Hamoud told Reuters.

In June, Ankara and Washington reached an agreement that would see the YPG ousted from the town, but Turkey has repeatedly blamed the United States for what it says has been a delay in that deal.

Erdogan said earlier this month that Turkish forces would enter the town unless the United States removed the Kurdish fighters.&nbsp;

Outgoing US Defense Secretary James Mattis has signed the order for the withdrawal of the US forces from Syria, the US Defense Department said on Monday.

The withdrawal is seen as possibly beginning within weeks.

"Americans have uttered numbers such as 30-60 days, 60-100 days. We will see about that," Kalin said on Monday. "This will have more to do with the coordination of the withdrawal process in the field."

Turkey vowed on Monday that the fight against Islamic State would not be slowed by the US withdrawal from Syria, where Ankara-backed rebels reinforced their positions around the potential flashpoint town of Manbij.

Turkey vowed on Monday that the fight against Islamic State would not be slowed by the US withdrawal from Syria, where Ankara-backed rebels reinforced their positions around the potential flashpoint town of Manbij. Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for President Tayyip Erdogan dismissed concerns that the withdrawal ordered by US President Donald Trump would allow Islamic State to regain territory. "As part of the global coalition to defeat ISIS, we would like to express again that we will not allow such a thing to happen on Syrian soil, Iraqi soil or Turkish soil," Kalin told a news conference. He added that there would be no disruption or slowdown of the fight against the militant group. Erdogan and Trump agreed in a phone call on Sunday to establish military and diplomatic coordination to prevent a power vacuum from developing as the United States withdraws. A committee of US military officials will visit Turkey this week to discuss the details of the pullout with their counterparts, Kalin said, adding that Turkey would also increase coordination with Russia in Syria. In Washington, Pentagon spokeswoman Heather Babb confirmed there would be meetings in Turkey this week. She said the two countries were "coordinating actively on all issues affecting both Turkish security and the situation in Northeast Syria," but declined to give details of the discussions. Russia supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Turkey has backed rebels fighting against him. The two countries reached an agreement in September to create a demilitarised zone in the Idlib region, the last major rebel stronghold. Trump's abrupt decision to pull troops out of Syria has upended American policy in the region. It will also effectively hand the fight against Islamic State in Syria to Turkey and set Ankara up to broaden its push against the Syrian Kurdish YPG. Differences over Syria have long been a source of tension between the United States and Turkey. Washington has backed the YPG in the fight against Islamic State, but Ankara sees the militia as a terrorist organisation. Flashpoint? A rebel spokesman said on Monday Turkish-backed Syrian forces had reinforced the area around the town of Manbij, occupied by the Kurdish fighters, in preparation for the US withdrawal. "Yesterday units from the (rebel) Syrian National Army headed towards the Manbij front and took preliminary positions (in preparation) for the battle," said Major Youssef Hamoud, the spokesman for the National Army. US forces are still in Manbij and the Turkish-backed fighters will not advance until they withdraw, Hamoud told Reuters. In June, Ankara and Washington reached an agreement that would see the YPG ousted from the town, but Turkey has repeatedly blamed the United States for what it says has been a delay in that deal. Erdogan said earlier this month that Turkish forces would enter the town unless the United States removed the Kurdish fighters. Outgoing US Defense Secretary James Mattis has signed the order for the withdrawal of the US forces from Syria, the US Defense Department said on Monday. The withdrawal is seen as possibly beginning within weeks. "Americans have uttered numbers such as 30-60 days, 60-100 days. We will see about that," Kalin said on Monday. "This will have more to do with the coordination of the withdrawal process in the field."

Turkey vows no slowdown in fight against IS after US pullout from Syria

The National Investigation Agency on Wednesday carried out raids at 16 different locations in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh in connection with a new ISIS-inspired terror module 'Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam' and detained ten persons, including one, said to be the leader of the group, officials said.

Of the 10 persons detained by the anti-terror probe agency, five were picked up from the western Uttar Pradesh district of Amroha following a joint operation with the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad, Inspector General ATS Asim Arun said in Lucknow.

Five more were detained from east Delhi`s Jafarabad area with the help of Delhi Police's Special Cell, officials said.

"The searches are going on," an NIA spokesperson said.

The group was under NIA surveillance for some time following inputs of their suspicious activities, officials said.

According to the NIA sources, there were five such teams in Delhi which were planning attacks on important offices in the national capital.

The NIA source said that questioning of those nabbed would reveal vital information about the module, their plans and handlers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The National Investigation Agency on Wednesday carried out raids at 16 different locations in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh in connection with a new ISIS-inspired terror module 'Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam' and detained ten persons, including one, said to be the leader of the group, officials said.

The National Investigation Agency on Wednesday carried out raids at 16 different locations in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh in connection with a new ISIS-inspired terror module 'Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam' and detained ten persons, including one, said to be the leader of the group, officials said. Of the 10 persons detained by the anti-terror probe agency, five were picked up from the western Uttar Pradesh district of Amroha following a joint operation with the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad, Inspector General ATS Asim Arun said in Lucknow. Five more were detained from east Delhi`s Jafarabad area with the help of Delhi Police's Special Cell, officials said. "The searches are going on," an NIA spokesperson said. The group was under NIA surveillance for some time following inputs of their suspicious activities, officials said. According to the NIA sources, there were five such teams in Delhi which were planning attacks on important offices in the national capital. The NIA source said that questioning of those nabbed would reveal vital information about the module, their plans and handlers. (With inputs from agencies)

NIA conducts raids across Delhi and Uttar Pradesh detains 10 to bust new ISIS-inspired terror module

Breaking News: NIA raids 16 location in UP, Delhi in connection with a new ISIS module

India has been the target of terrorist groups for decades. The issue of Maoist and North East extremist groups are local. But bigger threats have emanated from Pakistan-sponsored attacks. And our neighbouring country remains the biggest source of trouble.

Pakistan had fought four wars against India, without winning a single one. &nbsp;After former military dictator General Zia ul Haq came to power, the policy was changed and Pakistan’s army and ISI resorted to proxy war to “bleed India by a thousand cuts”. A low-cost but potentially expensive war to inflict on an enemy, without openly challenging him in a battle field because Pakistan has seen many failures there. &nbsp; &nbsp;

The first major terrorist attack was in 1993, commonly known as the Mumbai blasts in which ISI used the smugglers’ network and Dawood Ibrahim’s gang to deadly effect. &nbsp;

In subsequent years, various terrorist attacks were organised on Indian soil and no major city in the hinterland was left untouched. Investigating agencies found out that the ISI used Indian youth and motivated workers of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) to execute these attacks. The young men, who went for Haj were scouted; vulnerable youth were targeted and lured, were taken to Pakistan and radicalised. They became easy meat for Pakistani handlers.&nbsp;

From time to time, their handlers from Pakistan provided them with explosives, improved explosive devices (IED) and other logistic support to carry out bomb blasts in Mumbai, Delhi Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Benares, Bangalore, Surat, and Pune. They were trained extensively in the use of fire arms.&nbsp;

The biggest advantage in these attacks was that the perpetrator could place the bomb at identified places and escape. He could continue to live his normal lifestyle without arousing the suspicion of his neighbours and sometimes even family members.&nbsp;

But the disadvantage was that it left a long trail of evidence and with the arrest of one culprit, the whole chain of events could be unearthed.&nbsp;

The 26/11 attacks in Mumbai were of a different magnitude and it was like a full-fledged foreign attack on Indian soil as the perpetrators came heavily armed from Pakistan.

Post 26/11, a new threat is looming large: ISIS and Syria. From India, several youths (according to some estimates, about 100) had left the country and joined the ISIS. Such has been the impact of ISIS that it was able to penetrate the radicalised minds through the Internet. Without any physical contact, there was enough vile propaganda on the net to impress gullible minds. Sitting thousands of miles away, ISIS theorists could cause a big impression on young men, sitting in several Indian cities, completely unaware of the place where their propagandists were operating in.&nbsp;

In such a situation, proxies are not too difficult to find. Many cases came to light where ISIS had recruiters sitting in Jaipur, Bangalore, and Hyderabad and many other Indian cities and everything, from recruiting to indoctrination, was happening online. &nbsp;

Though about a hundred eventually left the country to fight the war, we have no way of knowing how many got radicalised and are planning to go to Syria and other terror-hit areas of the world, presumably to meet their handlers.&nbsp;

Now that the ISIS is losing ground, can we believe that these radicalised minds will now return to a normal life? It is difficult to say and it calls for deep scrutiny and a close watch on such elements.&nbsp;

ISIS has discovered the cheapest way of carrying out terrorist attacks, which do not require big money or sophisticated weapons or explosives.&nbsp;

The terror attacks at Nice in France and other European cities are prime examples. The modus operandi is very simple. The perpetrator knows he is likely to lose his life during the attack. This is a very big deviation from earlier attacks in which the attackers would conduct recce of any targeted place and plan an escape. The new generation of terrorists are willing to take extreme risks and make the attacks look simple - and deadly.&nbsp;

When it comes to a lone wolf attacker, not much information is available. Israel has conducted some studies and some traits have been identified: such people are loners, feel victimised, frustrated, disillusioned and imbued with radical ideology, coupled with perceived injustice towards people of certain communities.&nbsp;

India is the third most terrorism-hit country in the world. But we lack any counter-terrorism policy. And it’s totally left to intelligence and security forces to deal with such threats. It is not a very sound policy.

Terrorism is also fast evolving and new and sophisticated attacks, as well as old tried and tested methods, are being adopted. Security forces prepare a response based on past attacks, but terrorists adopt and discover newer methods of carrying out destruction.&nbsp;

Therefore, there is a need to “think out of the box”. For this, we need to have a policy to fight radicalisation and terrorism. Fighting terrorism cannot be left to security forces alone; not, at least in our country. We must involve various sections of society. We also need to assign active roles to some ministries like social welfare and minority affairs to make all-out efforts to address the issue of perceived religious persecution. For potential recruiters, grouse, real or imagined, is the perfect mindset to tap young recruits. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

To counter the false propaganda of terrorist groups, the involvement of religious leaders can be very effective.&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-preventing-new-terrorists-2699952">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

India has been the target of terrorist groups for decades. The issue of Maoist and North East extremist groups are local. But bigger threats have emanated from Pakistan-sponsored attacks.

India has been the target of terrorist groups for decades. The issue of Maoist and North East extremist groups are local. But bigger threats have emanated from Pakistan-sponsored attacks. And our neighbouring country remains the biggest source of trouble. Pakistan had fought four wars against India, without winning a single one. After former military dictator General Zia ul Haq came to power, the policy was changed and Pakistan’s army and ISI resorted to proxy war to “bleed India by a thousand cuts”. A low-cost but potentially expensive war to inflict on an enemy, without openly challenging him in a battle field because Pakistan has seen many failures there. The first major terrorist attack was in 1993, commonly known as the Mumbai blasts in which ISI used the smugglers’ network and Dawood Ibrahim’s gang to deadly effect. In subsequent years, various terrorist attacks were organised on Indian soil and no major city in the hinterland was left untouched. Investigating agencies found out that the ISI used Indian youth and motivated workers of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) to execute these attacks. The young men, who went for Haj were scouted; vulnerable youth were targeted and lured, were taken to Pakistan and radicalised. They became easy meat for Pakistani handlers. From time to time, their handlers from Pakistan provided them with explosives, improved explosive devices (IED) and other logistic support to carry out bomb blasts in Mumbai, Delhi Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Benares, Bangalore, Surat, and Pune. They were trained extensively in the use of fire arms. The biggest advantage in these attacks was that the perpetrator could place the bomb at identified places and escape. He could continue to live his normal lifestyle without arousing the suspicion of his neighbours and sometimes even family members. But the disadvantage was that it left a long trail of evidence and with the arrest of one culprit, the whole chain of events could be unearthed. The 26/11 attacks in Mumbai were of a different magnitude and it was like a full-fledged foreign attack on Indian soil as the perpetrators came heavily armed from Pakistan. Post 26/11, a new threat is looming large: ISIS and Syria. From India, several youths (according to some estimates, about 100) had left the country and joined the ISIS. Such has been the impact of ISIS that it was able to penetrate the radicalised minds through the Internet. Without any physical contact, there was enough vile propaganda on the net to impress gullible minds. Sitting thousands of miles away, ISIS theorists could cause a big impression on young men, sitting in several Indian cities, completely unaware of the place where their propagandists were operating in. In such a situation, proxies are not too difficult to find. Many cases came to light where ISIS had recruiters sitting in Jaipur, Bangalore, and Hyderabad and many other Indian cities and everything, from recruiting to indoctrination, was happening online. Though about a hundred eventually left the country to fight the war, we have no way of knowing how many got radicalised and are planning to go to Syria and other terror-hit areas of the world, presumably to meet their handlers. Now that the ISIS is losing ground, can we believe that these radicalised minds will now return to a normal life? It is difficult to say and it calls for deep scrutiny and a close watch on such elements. ISIS has discovered the cheapest way of carrying out terrorist attacks, which do not require big money or sophisticated weapons or explosives. The terror attacks at Nice in France and other European cities are prime examples. The modus operandi is very simple. The perpetrator knows he is likely to lose his life during the attack. This is a very big deviation from earlier attacks in which the attackers would conduct recce of any targeted place and plan an escape. The new generation of terrorists are willing to take extreme risks and make the attacks look simple - and deadly. When it comes to a lone wolf attacker, not much information is available. Israel has conducted some studies and some traits have been identified: such people are loners, feel victimised, frustrated, disillusioned and imbued with radical ideology, coupled with perceived injustice towards people of certain communities. India is the third most terrorism-hit country in the world. But we lack any counter-terrorism policy. And it’s totally left to intelligence and security forces to deal with such threats. It is not a very sound policy. Terrorism is also fast evolving and new and sophisticated attacks, as well as old tried and tested methods, are being adopted. Security forces prepare a response based on past attacks, but terrorists adopt and discover newer methods of carrying out destruction. Therefore, there is a need to “think out of the box”. For this, we need to have a policy to fight radicalisation and terrorism. Fighting terrorism cannot be left to security forces alone; not, at least in our country. We must involve various sections of society. We also need to assign active roles to some ministries like social welfare and minority affairs to make all-out efforts to address the issue of perceived religious persecution. For potential recruiters, grouse, real or imagined, is the perfect mindset to tap young recruits. To counter the false propaganda of terrorist groups, the involvement of religious leaders can be very effective. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

With ISIS threat looming large, we need a policy to fight radicalisation

Kurdish-led forces seized the Islamic State's main hub of Hajin Friday, a milestone in a massive and costly US-backed operation to eradicate the jihadists from eastern Syria.

The Syrian Democratic Forces secured Hajin, the largest settlement in what is the last pocket of territory controlled by IS, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

"After a week of heavy fighting and air strikes, the SDF were able to kick IS out", Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the Britain-based monitoring group, said.

The operation was completed at dawn, he said, a day after SDF forces fanned out across the large village in the Euphrates valley.

On Thursday, the last IS fighters were confined to a network of tunnels and the edges of Hajin, which lies in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor, about 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the border with Iraq.

The area held by IS is sometimes referred to as the "Hajin pocket", the last rump of a once-sprawling "caliphate" the group proclaimed in 2014 over swathes of Syria and Iraq.

IS fighters pulled back to positions east of Hajin Friday and to Sousa and Al-Shaafa, the other two main villages in their shrinking Euphrates valley enclave.

As recently as Thursday, the group posted pictures of fighting in Hajin on its social media accounts.&nbsp;

High death toll

According to Abdel Rahman, a total of 17,000 fighters from the Kurdish-Arab SDF alliance are involved in the operation to flush IS out of its last bastion.

The operation was launched on September 10 and has taken a heavy toll, according to figures collected by the Observatory, which has a &nbsp;network of sources on the ground.

At least 900 jihadists and 500 SDF fighters were killed in the fighting, the Observatory said.

According to Abdel Rahman, more than 320 civilians were also killed, many of them in air strikes by the US-led coalition.

Thousands more civilians who had remained, voluntarily or not, in the Hajin area have fled their homes since the start of the offensive three months ago.

US President Donald Trump this week predicted the jihadist group would be fully defeated within a month.

"We've done a very, very major job on ISIS," he said on Tuesday, using another acronym for IS.

"There are very few of them left in that area of the world. &nbsp;And within another 30 days, there won't be any of them left," he vowed.

Western and other officials have repeatedly announced deadlines for a final victory over IS but the group is proving resilient.

30 days?

The push to retake Hajin was delayed by Turkish threats on the Kurdish heartland further north and deadly counter-attacks by die-hard jihadists making a bloody last stand.

The Turkish threats were renewed this week by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said the army would launch an offensive within the "next few days" to "bring peace and security to areas east of the Euphrates" controlled by the SDF.

Washington, which has set up observation posts along the border and launched joint patrols with the SDF, said any unilateral military action in northern Syria would be "unacceptable".

On Friday, 13 political parties in Kurdish territory in northern Syria issued a joint statement denouncing Erdogan's threat as a "declaration of war".

Besides what is left of the pocket near Hajin, IS has a presence in Syria's vast Badia desert, a front which is managed by Russian-backed government forces.

What is left of the jihadist group also has sleeper cells across Iraq and Syria that regularly carry out attacks.

"ISIS anticipated its battlefield defeat and the loss of the caliphate and prepared accordingly," said Bruce Hoffman, a terrorism expert at Georgetown University in Washington. 
&nbsp;

Kurdish-led forces seized the Islamic State's main hub of Hajin Friday, a milestone in a massive and costly US-backed operation to eradicate the jihadists from eastern Syria.

Kurdish-led forces seized the Islamic State's main hub of Hajin Friday, a milestone in a massive and costly US-backed operation to eradicate the jihadists from eastern Syria. The Syrian Democratic Forces secured Hajin, the largest settlement in what is the last pocket of territory controlled by IS, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. "After a week of heavy fighting and air strikes, the SDF were able to kick IS out", Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the Britain-based monitoring group, said. The operation was completed at dawn, he said, a day after SDF forces fanned out across the large village in the Euphrates valley. On Thursday, the last IS fighters were confined to a network of tunnels and the edges of Hajin, which lies in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor, about 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the border with Iraq. The area held by IS is sometimes referred to as the "Hajin pocket", the last rump of a once-sprawling "caliphate" the group proclaimed in 2014 over swathes of Syria and Iraq. IS fighters pulled back to positions east of Hajin Friday and to Sousa and Al-Shaafa, the other two main villages in their shrinking Euphrates valley enclave. As recently as Thursday, the group posted pictures of fighting in Hajin on its social media accounts. High death toll According to Abdel Rahman, a total of 17,000 fighters from the Kurdish-Arab SDF alliance are involved in the operation to flush IS out of its last bastion. The operation was launched on September 10 and has taken a heavy toll, according to figures collected by the Observatory, which has a network of sources on the ground. At least 900 jihadists and 500 SDF fighters were killed in the fighting, the Observatory said. According to Abdel Rahman, more than 320 civilians were also killed, many of them in air strikes by the US-led coalition. Thousands more civilians who had remained, voluntarily or not, in the Hajin area have fled their homes since the start of the offensive three months ago. US President Donald Trump this week predicted the jihadist group would be fully defeated within a month. "We've done a very, very major job on ISIS," he said on Tuesday, using another acronym for IS. "There are very few of them left in that area of the world. And within another 30 days, there won't be any of them left," he vowed. Western and other officials have repeatedly announced deadlines for a final victory over IS but the group is proving resilient. 30 days? The push to retake Hajin was delayed by Turkish threats on the Kurdish heartland further north and deadly counter-attacks by die-hard jihadists making a bloody last stand. The Turkish threats were renewed this week by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said the army would launch an offensive within the "next few days" to "bring peace and security to areas east of the Euphrates" controlled by the SDF. Washington, which has set up observation posts along the border and launched joint patrols with the SDF, said any unilateral military action in northern Syria would be "unacceptable". On Friday, 13 political parties in Kurdish territory in northern Syria issued a joint statement denouncing Erdogan's threat as a "declaration of war". Besides what is left of the pocket near Hajin, IS has a presence in Syria's vast Badia desert, a front which is managed by Russian-backed government forces. What is left of the jihadist group also has sleeper cells across Iraq and Syria that regularly carry out attacks. "ISIS anticipated its battlefield defeat and the loss of the caliphate and prepared accordingly," said Bruce Hoffman, a terrorism expert at Georgetown University in Washington.

US-backed forces expel IS from east Syria hub

A US soldier based in Hawaii was sentenced on Tuesday to 25 years in prison for attempting to provide support to the Islamic State group also known as ISIS.

Ikaika Erik Kang, 35, whose sentence was part of a plea agreement, will also be under at least 20 years of supervised release after he completes his prison term.

"Kang swore to defend the United States as a member of our military, but betrayed his country by swearing allegiance to ISIS and attempting to provide it material support," John Demers, assistant attorney general for national security, said in a statement.

According to authorities, Kang, a sergeant in the US Army, became sympathetic to ISIS by at least early 2016 and regularly watched propaganda videos published online by the terror group while expressing a desire to become a member.

Prosecutors said he spoke in detail about committing specific acts of violence including launching attacks at public gatherings such as the Honolulu Christmas Parade and planning a suicide bombing at his army barracks.

In June and July of last year, he met with undercover FBI agents posing as people with connections to ISIS and provided them with sensitive material.

He also supplied the agents with a small aerial drone and military-style clothing and gear.

On another occasion, he provided two undercover FBI employees -- one pretending to be a high-ranking ISIS leader and another an ISIS fighter -- with a two-hour combat training session to hone their fighting and marksmanship skills.

Kang was arrested after he swore allegiance to ISIS during a ceremony conducted by the purported ISIS leader.

"This is the first case in the state of Hawaii where someone was convicted for providing material support to terrorism," said Sean Kaul, special agent in charge of the FBI office in Honolulu. "This should serve as reminder that even though we are 2,500 miles from the US mainland these crimes can and do happen everywhere."

According to local media, Kang grew up in an abusive household and his father suffered from mental health issues. Two former members of the US military also testified that he had mental health issues and could easily be influenced.

A US soldier based in Hawaii was sentenced on Tuesday to 25 years in prison for attempting to provide support to the Islamic State group also known as ISIS. Ikaika Erik Kang, 35, whose sentence was part of a plea agreement, will also be under at least 20 years of supervised release after he completes his prison term.

A US soldier based in Hawaii was sentenced on Tuesday to 25 years in prison for attempting to provide support to the Islamic State group also known as ISIS. Ikaika Erik Kang, 35, whose sentence was part of a plea agreement, will also be under at least 20 years of supervised release after he completes his prison term. "Kang swore to defend the United States as a member of our military, but betrayed his country by swearing allegiance to ISIS and attempting to provide it material support," John Demers, assistant attorney general for national security, said in a statement. According to authorities, Kang, a sergeant in the US Army, became sympathetic to ISIS by at least early 2016 and regularly watched propaganda videos published online by the terror group while expressing a desire to become a member. Prosecutors said he spoke in detail about committing specific acts of violence including launching attacks at public gatherings such as the Honolulu Christmas Parade and planning a suicide bombing at his army barracks. In June and July of last year, he met with undercover FBI agents posing as people with connections to ISIS and provided them with sensitive material. He also supplied the agents with a small aerial drone and military-style clothing and gear. On another occasion, he provided two undercover FBI employees -- one pretending to be a high-ranking ISIS leader and another an ISIS fighter -- with a two-hour combat training session to hone their fighting and marksmanship skills. Kang was arrested after he swore allegiance to ISIS during a ceremony conducted by the purported ISIS leader. "This is the first case in the state of Hawaii where someone was convicted for providing material support to terrorism," said Sean Kaul, special agent in charge of the FBI office in Honolulu. "This should serve as reminder that even though we are 2,500 miles from the US mainland these crimes can and do happen everywhere." According to local media, Kang grew up in an abusive household and his father suffered from mental health issues. Two former members of the US military also testified that he had mental health issues and could easily be influenced.

US soldier gets 25 years in prison for backing ISIS

The Islamic State (IS) terror group on Saturday claimed responsibility for a suicide attack in northwestern Pakistan that killed 32 people, including three Pakistani Sikhs, and injured 40 others.

In a statement on the group's website 'Amaq', IS claimed "57 Shiites (Shias) were killed and 75 were wounded" in the attack on Friday.

Most of the victims were minority Shia Muslims, who in the past have also been targeted in the area.

A suicide bomber triggered the powerful blast at a busy market outside a religious seminary in the country's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

An improvised explosive device was planted in a bike at a popular Friday Market near a Shia imambargah in Orakzai tribal district's Kalaya area, bordering Afghanistan.

The minority Sikh community in the area was previously displaced by the Taliban that controlled the region prior to the military operation in 2010.&nbsp;

The Islamic State (IS) terror group on Saturday claimed responsibility for a suicide attack in northwestern Pakistan that killed 32 people, including three Pakistani Sikhs, and injured 40 others.

The Islamic State (IS) terror group on Saturday claimed responsibility for a suicide attack in northwestern Pakistan that killed 32 people, including three Pakistani Sikhs, and injured 40 others. In a statement on the group's website 'Amaq', IS claimed "57 Shiites (Shias) were killed and 75 were wounded" in the attack on Friday. Most of the victims were minority Shia Muslims, who in the past have also been targeted in the area. A suicide bomber triggered the powerful blast at a busy market outside a religious seminary in the country's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. An improvised explosive device was planted in a bike at a popular Friday Market near a Shia imambargah in Orakzai tribal district's Kalaya area, bordering Afghanistan. The minority Sikh community in the area was previously displaced by the Taliban that controlled the region prior to the military operation in 2010.

ISIS claims northwestern Pakistan attack

As many as 25 terrorists from the Islamic State (ISIS) group were killed in US-led airstrikes in northern Iraq's Kirkuk province on Sunday.

The US-led coalition forces carried out aerial attacks in the oil-rich province in response to an attack by the terror group that targetted a high-voltage transmission line in Havice region, which occurred on Saturday, senior Iraqi security official Major General Maan al-Saadi told Anadolu News Agency.

Also, the airstrikes destroyed two shelters where the ISIS terrorists had been hiding.

In December last year, Iraq declared victory over the Islamic State (IS), which had seized control of nearly a third of the country in 2014. However, in some parts of the war-torn country, the IS maintains a network of "sleeper cells".

Both the US-led forces and the Iraqi government have been conducting several airstrikes to clear out the terror camps, particularly in the northern parts of Iraq.

As many as 25 terrorists from the Islamic State (ISIS) group were killed in US-led airstrikes in northern Iraq's Kirkuk province on Sunday. The US-led coalition forces carried out aerial attacks in the oil-rich province in response to an attack by the terror group that targetted a high-voltage transmission line in Havice region, which occurred on Saturday, senior Iraqi security official Major General Maan al-Saadi told Anadolu News Agency.

As many as 25 terrorists from the Islamic State (ISIS) group were killed in US-led airstrikes in northern Iraq's Kirkuk province on Sunday. The US-led coalition forces carried out aerial attacks in the oil-rich province in response to an attack by the terror group that targetted a high-voltage transmission line in Havice region, which occurred on Saturday, senior Iraqi security official Major General Maan al-Saadi told Anadolu News Agency. Also, the airstrikes destroyed two shelters where the ISIS terrorists had been hiding. In December last year, Iraq declared victory over the Islamic State (IS), which had seized control of nearly a third of the country in 2014. However, in some parts of the war-torn country, the IS maintains a network of "sleeper cells". Both the US-led forces and the Iraqi government have been conducting several airstrikes to clear out the terror camps, particularly in the northern parts of Iraq.

25 ISIS terrorists killed in US airstrikes in Iraq

More than 3,000 civilians have been killed in US-led coalition air strikes against the Islamic State group in Syria since they began four years ago, a monitor said on Sunday.

The Washington-led alliance puts the toll at just over 1,000 civilians in both Syria and neighbouring Iraq and says it does all it can to prevent civilian deaths.

The coalition began bombing IS targets in Iraq in August 2014 after the jihadist group seized swathes of territory straddling the two countries, proclaiming an Islamic "caliphate".

The coalition extended its strikes to Syria on September 23, 2014.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group, said on Sunday those Syria strikes had since killed 3,331 civilians.

The monitor relies on a network of sources inside Syria and tracks flight patterns, aircraft involved and ammunition used to determine who carries out raids. 
"Among those killed are 826 children and 615 women," said Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman.

The coalition says it takes every possible precaution to prevent civilian deaths.

In its latest civilian casualty report published last month, the coalition said its strikes had unintentionally killed 1,061 civilians in both Iraq and Syria up until July 30, 2018.

It is still assessing a further 216 reports of civilian casualties, some of them in strikes dating back to 2014.

Asked if the coalition could specify how many of the confirmed casualties were in Syria, spokesman Sean Ryan said it "does not breakdown strikes by type, platform, munition, region or nation."

"As far any discrepancy in numbers, the coalition is basing the findings on facts and evidence. We are not claiming to provide exact numbers, but saying it is based on the best available evidence," he told AFP.

Ryan said the coalition remained willing to work with anyone to investigate allegations and asked other monitors to share what metrics they were using to determine casualties. 
Rights groups have criticised the coalition for not pursuing investigations of civilian casualties rigorously enough.

In June, Amnesty International said the coalition's bombing raids of IS's de facto Syrian capital Raqa last year may amount to "potential war crimes".

"The artificially low number of civilian casualties the coalition acknowledges stems in part from poor investigation procedures that fail even to involve on-the-ground research," it said at the time.

The coalition's operations have largely wound down, with the jihadists ousted from all but tiny bits of territory in Syria.

More than 360,000 people have been killed across Syria since the conflict broke out in 2011, nearly a third of them civilians, according to the Observatory.

More than 3,000 civilians have been killed in US-led coalition air strikes against the Islamic State group in Syria since they began four years ago, a monitor said on Sunday.

More than 3,000 civilians have been killed in US-led coalition air strikes against the Islamic State group in Syria since they began four years ago, a monitor said on Sunday. The Washington-led alliance puts the toll at just over 1,000 civilians in both Syria and neighbouring Iraq and says it does all it can to prevent civilian deaths. The coalition began bombing IS targets in Iraq in August 2014 after the jihadist group seized swathes of territory straddling the two countries, proclaiming an Islamic "caliphate". The coalition extended its strikes to Syria on September 23, 2014. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group, said on Sunday those Syria strikes had since killed 3,331 civilians. The monitor relies on a network of sources inside Syria and tracks flight patterns, aircraft involved and ammunition used to determine who carries out raids. "Among those killed are 826 children and 615 women," said Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman. The coalition says it takes every possible precaution to prevent civilian deaths. In its latest civilian casualty report published last month, the coalition said its strikes had unintentionally killed 1,061 civilians in both Iraq and Syria up until July 30, 2018. It is still assessing a further 216 reports of civilian casualties, some of them in strikes dating back to 2014. Asked if the coalition could specify how many of the confirmed casualties were in Syria, spokesman Sean Ryan said it "does not breakdown strikes by type, platform, munition, region or nation." "As far any discrepancy in numbers, the coalition is basing the findings on facts and evidence. We are not claiming to provide exact numbers, but saying it is based on the best available evidence," he told AFP. Ryan said the coalition remained willing to work with anyone to investigate allegations and asked other monitors to share what metrics they were using to determine casualties. Rights groups have criticised the coalition for not pursuing investigations of civilian casualties rigorously enough. In June, Amnesty International said the coalition's bombing raids of IS's de facto Syrian capital Raqa last year may amount to "potential war crimes". "The artificially low number of civilian casualties the coalition acknowledges stems in part from poor investigation procedures that fail even to involve on-the-ground research," it said at the time. The coalition's operations have largely wound down, with the jihadists ousted from all but tiny bits of territory in Syria. More than 360,000 people have been killed across Syria since the conflict broke out in 2011, nearly a third of them civilians, according to the Observatory.

Four years of coalition strikes on Syria kill 3,300 civilians: Monitor

Police in the Australian state of Victoria has issued a warning about an unnamed Pakistan-based ISIS-linked extremist, who reportedly discussed bombing key Melbourne landmarks, including Queen Victoria Market.

Maintaining that this ISIS supporter poses a serious risk to public safety, Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Ross Guenther was quoted by The Age, as saying that more than 100 Australians are at risk of associating with that extremist or others as they currently live in and near conflict zones.,

Assistant Commissioner Guenther was further quoted, as saying that Victoria Police is not yet clear whether the plotter has contacted anyone on Australian soil.

A foreign terror plot to blow up Melbourne landmarks including Queen Victoria Market was uncovered by a British family of "amateur jihadi hunters" who were in contact with the foreign fighter earlier this year.

Assistant Commissioner Guenther said while Melbourne was a very attractive target to ISIS affiliates, police were closely monitoring more than 200 persons of interest.

"We received information earlier this year. It was online communication between a person believed to be in the Middle East and an individual in Britain posing as an extremist," The Age quoted Assistant Guenther, as saying.

"That person did provide instructional advice to the individual in the UK, believing them to be living in Melbourne. The information was ultimately shared with our law enforcement security parties who assessed that information and concluded it posed no credible threat to Victoria," he added.

The terror plan discussed online between parties in the UK and Pakistan was to plant a "sequence of bombs" in the market and then drive the car, fitted with another bomb, into a crowded corner of the building before blowing up the vehicle.

The plot was hatched over the encrypted messaging service Telegram.

Assistant Commissioner Guenther said it was not uncommon for such instructional material to be in circulation.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the council is working with police to ensure the public's safety.

Australian Federal Police declined to comment.

Police in the Australian state of Victoria has issued a warning about an unnamed Pakistan-based ISIS-linked extremist

Police in the Australian state of Victoria has issued a warning about an unnamed Pakistan-based ISIS-linked extremist, who reportedly discussed bombing key Melbourne landmarks, including Queen Victoria Market. Maintaining that this ISIS supporter poses a serious risk to public safety, Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Ross Guenther was quoted by The Age, as saying that more than 100 Australians are at risk of associating with that extremist or others as they currently live in and near conflict zones., Assistant Commissioner Guenther was further quoted, as saying that Victoria Police is not yet clear whether the plotter has contacted anyone on Australian soil. A foreign terror plot to blow up Melbourne landmarks including Queen Victoria Market was uncovered by a British family of "amateur jihadi hunters" who were in contact with the foreign fighter earlier this year. Assistant Commissioner Guenther said while Melbourne was a very attractive target to ISIS affiliates, police were closely monitoring more than 200 persons of interest. "We received information earlier this year. It was online communication between a person believed to be in the Middle East and an individual in Britain posing as an extremist," The Age quoted Assistant Guenther, as saying. "That person did provide instructional advice to the individual in the UK, believing them to be living in Melbourne. The information was ultimately shared with our law enforcement security parties who assessed that information and concluded it posed no credible threat to Victoria," he added. The terror plan discussed online between parties in the UK and Pakistan was to plant a "sequence of bombs" in the market and then drive the car, fitted with another bomb, into a crowded corner of the building before blowing up the vehicle. The plot was hatched over the encrypted messaging service Telegram. Assistant Commissioner Guenther said it was not uncommon for such instructional material to be in circulation. Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the council is working with police to ensure the public's safety. Australian Federal Police declined to comment.

ISIS extremist poses 'serious risk': Australian Police

Britain has convicted an 18-year-old girl after they found out that she had been planning and plotting an attack on London with the first all-women Islamic State cell.&nbsp;

Safaa Boular, plotted the grenade and gun attack in her hometown after the authorities intervened to stop her from traveling to Syria to marry an ISIS terrorist she had met online.

She is the youngest female to be charged with planning an IS attack in Britain.

Reports say that she was bullied during her childhood by strangers because of her Islamic dress.&nbsp;She became interested in terrorism after the Paris attacks in 2015 and wanted to know why would people do it.

Soon after she&nbsp;got in touch with a woman through Twitter who painted the caliphate as a world where “everyone was equal”. In no time, Safaa accumulated hundreds of ISIS contacts and through them met Naweed Hussain, a British-born Islamic State militants in Raqqa.

Boular was only 16 when she made contact with British-born ISIS terrorist Naweed Hussain, 32, discussing marriage and how they would don his-and-hers suicide belts.

But her hopes of joining him were dashed when she was stopped at the airport in August 2016 following a family trip to Morocco, and her passport was confiscated.

Hussain was later killed in a drone strike.

Afterwards, Boular decided to plan an attack in Britain, detailing it in coded language -- grenades were "pineapples" -- to online contacts who were, in fact,t undercover agents.

When Boular was charged with preparing terrorist acts in April 2017, she passed the baton to her sister Rizlaine, 22, and their mother Mina Dich, 44, who hatched their own plan.

The trio was taped talking about an Alice in Wonderland-themed tea party, which the prosecution argued was code for an attack.

Rizlaine and her mother were arrested after being tracked by police visiting potential sites around Westminster and buying knives.

Safaa had consistently denied two charges of planning to travel to Syria for ISIS activity and engaging in preparations for terror attacks on iconic landmarks in London including, most notably, the British Museum. But the jury found her guilty of both charges, making her Britain’s youngest convicted female Islamic State terrorist.

(With inputs from AFP)

Safaa Boular, plotted the grenade and gun attack in her hometown after the authorities intervened to stop her from traveling to Syria to marry an ISIS terrorist she had met online

Britain has convicted an 18-year-old girl after they found out that she had been planning and plotting an attack on London with the first all-women Islamic State cell. Safaa Boular, plotted the grenade and gun attack in her hometown after the authorities intervened to stop her from traveling to Syria to marry an ISIS terrorist she had met online. She is the youngest female to be charged with planning an IS attack in Britain. Reports say that she was bullied during her childhood by strangers because of her Islamic dress. She became interested in terrorism after the Paris attacks in 2015 and wanted to know why would people do it. Soon after she got in touch with a woman through Twitter who painted the caliphate as a world where “everyone was equal”. In no time, Safaa accumulated hundreds of ISIS contacts and through them met Naweed Hussain, a British-born Islamic State militants in Raqqa. Boular was only 16 when she made contact with British-born ISIS terrorist Naweed Hussain, 32, discussing marriage and how they would don his-and-hers suicide belts. But her hopes of joining him were dashed when she was stopped at the airport in August 2016 following a family trip to Morocco, and her passport was confiscated. Hussain was later killed in a drone strike. Afterwards, Boular decided to plan an attack in Britain, detailing it in coded language -- grenades were "pineapples" -- to online contacts who were, in fact,t undercover agents. When Boular was charged with preparing terrorist acts in April 2017, she passed the baton to her sister Rizlaine, 22, and their mother Mina Dich, 44, who hatched their own plan. The trio was taped talking about an Alice in Wonderland-themed tea party, which the prosecution argued was code for an attack. Rizlaine and her mother were arrested after being tracked by police visiting potential sites around Westminster and buying knives. Safaa had consistently denied two charges of planning to travel to Syria for ISIS activity and engaging in preparations for terror attacks on iconic landmarks in London including, most notably, the British Museum. But the jury found her guilty of both charges, making her Britain’s youngest convicted female Islamic State terrorist. (With inputs from AFP)

Teenage girl becomes youngest ISIS terrorist to be convicted in Britain

A pro-Islamic State(IS) organisation which earlier targeted football star Lionel Messi, has now threatened to kill and be head, Cristiano Ronaldo, ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.&nbsp

A mocked-up image was also released where both Messi and Ronaldo pinned down on the pitch in a packed stadium with knife-wielding terrorists hacking at their necks.

The second poster released shows a militant carrying what appears to be an explosive device into a stadium. It comes with the message: 'Fifa World Cup Russia 2018 - victory will be ours'.

It is the latest in a series of online threats made against this summer's football tournament and Barcelona star Messi has been the target of similar warnings earlier also.&nbsp

Last year, the organization released a chilling image of Messi behind bars with blood-soaked eyes, threatening to unleash violence in this year's football World Cup.&nbsp

The poster released by the Wafa media foundation said: “You are fighting a state that does not have failure in its dictionary,” ending with the message "just terrorism", which is the famous American shoe company Nike's tagline "just do it".

The Messi poster was tweeted by SITE intelligence group, a company which tracks terror activities online.

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'The ground will be filled with your blood': <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ISIS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ISIS</a> fanatics threaten to BEHEAD <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Messi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Messi</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ronaldo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ronaldo</a> in posters warning of attacks at the World Cup <a href="https://t.co/sQLYVo0XTb">pic.twitter.com/sQLYVo0XTb</a>
— Syria Scope En (@Syria_scope_En) <a href="https://twitter.com/Syria_scope_En/status/997043485374021633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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— LOVE lies (@Shyne_Davids) <a href="https://twitter.com/Shyne_Davids/status/997050415207284736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The 2018 FIFA World Cup will be played across 11 cities in Russia from June 14 to July 15, when the final will be played at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Tens of thousands of England fans are expected to base themselves in St. Petersburg for the month-long finals.

St Petersburg, Russia's second largest city, was the scene of a horrific ISIS attack when a briefcase bomb detonated on the underground in April last year, killing 14 people.

The blast was in retaliation to Russia's airstrikes in Syria that have helped bring the regime to its knees.&nbsp

Thousands of Russians from mainly central Asia have travelled to the Middle East to fight for ISIS. 
&nbsp

2018 FIFA World Cup will be played across 11 cities in Russia from June 14 to July 15

A pro-Islamic State(IS) organisation which earlier targeted football star Lionel Messi, has now threatened to kill and be head, Cristiano Ronaldo, ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. A mocked-up image was also released where both Messi and Ronaldo pinned down on the pitch in a packed stadium with knife-wielding terrorists hacking at their necks. The second poster released shows a militant carrying what appears to be an explosive device into a stadium. It comes with the message: 'Fifa World Cup Russia 2018 - victory will be ours'. It is the latest in a series of online threats made against this summer's football tournament and Barcelona star Messi has been the target of similar warnings earlier also. Last year, the organization released a chilling image of Messi behind bars with blood-soaked eyes, threatening to unleash violence in this year's football World Cup. The poster released by the Wafa media foundation said: “You are fighting a state that does not have failure in its dictionary,” ending with the message "just terrorism", which is the famous American shoe company Nike's tagline "just do it". The Messi poster was tweeted by SITE intelligence group, a company which tracks terror activities online. 'The ground will be filled with your blood': #ISIS fanatics threaten to BEHEAD #Messi and #Ronaldo in posters warning of attacks at the World Cup pic.twitter.com/sQLYVo0XTb — Syria Scope En (@Syria_scope_En) May 17, 2018 × ISIS fanatics threaten to BEHEAD Messi and Ronaldo in posters warning of attacks at WORLD CUP pic.twitter.com/dLJN0iNGbP — LOVE lies (@Shyne_Davids) May 17, 2018 × The 2018 FIFA World Cup will be played across 11 cities in Russia from June 14 to July 15, when the final will be played at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. Tens of thousands of England fans are expected to base themselves in St. Petersburg for the month-long finals. St Petersburg, Russia's second largest city, was the scene of a horrific ISIS attack when a briefcase bomb detonated on the underground in April last year, killing 14 people. The blast was in retaliation to Russia's airstrikes in Syria that have helped bring the regime to its knees. Thousands of Russians from mainly central Asia have travelled to the Middle East to fight for ISIS.

After Messi, ISIS threatens to 'behead' Ronaldo ahead of Russia World Cup

A family of five, including a child, carried out the suicide bombing of a police headquarters in Indonesia's second city Surabaya on Monday, police said, a day after a deadly wave of attacks on churches staged by another family.

The spate of bombings has rocked Indonesia, with the Islamic State group claiming the church attacks and raising fears about its influence in Southeast Asia as its dreams of a Middle Eastern caliphate fade.

Indonesia, which is set to host the Asian Games in just three months, has long struggled with Islamist militancy, including the 2002 Bali bombings that killed over 200 people -- mostly foreign tourists -- in the country's worst-ever terror attack.

Security forces have arrested hundreds of militants during a sustained crackdown that smashed some networks, and most recent attacks have been low-level and targeted domestic security forces.

But that changed Sunday as a family of six -- including girls aged nine and 12 -- staged suicide bombings of three churches during morning services in Surabaya, killing 18 including the bombers.

On Monday members of another family blew themselves up at a police station in the city, wounding 10.

"There were five people on two motorbikes. One of them was a little kid," national police chief Tito Karnavian said. "This is one family."

An eight-year-old girl from the family survived the attack and was taken to hospital, while her mother, father and two brothers died in the blast, he said.

The children were likely led to their deaths without a full awareness of their fate, said Ade Banani, of the University of Indonesia’s research centre of police science and terrorism studies.

If a family believed in traditional roles, the father "has the power, so everyone has to obey", Banani said.

"The children probably don't know what's going on or don't understand."

The father of the church suicide bombers was a local leader in extremist network Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) which supports IS, and the second family was also linked to JAD.

"It ordered and gave instructions for its cells to make a move," Karnavian said of the Islamic State's role in the church attacks.

He added that the bombings may have also been motivated by the arrest of JAD leaders, including jailed radical Aman Abdurrahman, and were linked to a deadly prison riot staged by Islamist prisoners at a high-security jail near Jakarta last week.

Abdurrahman has been connected to several deadly incidents, including a 2016 gun and suicide attack in the capital Jakarta that left four attackers and four civilians dead.

Despite their apparent allegiance to IS, the church-bombing family were not returnees from Syria, police said Monday, correcting their earlier statements.

However, hundreds of Indonesians have flocked in recent years to fight alongside IS there.

Its ambitions have been reined in after losing most of the land it once occupied in Iraq and Syria, and there are concerns that jihadists will now turn their focus on establishing a base in Southeast Asia.

Increasingly proficient

On Sunday evening, just hours after the church bombings, a further three people in another family were killed and two wounded when another bomb exploded at an apartment complex about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from Surabaya.

That explosion appeared to have been an accidental detonation that killed a mother and her 17-year-old child who was not identified.&nbsp

The woman's husband -- a confidante of the husband behind the church bombings, Dita Oepriyanto -- was badly injured in the explosion.&nbsp

Police said they arrived after the explosion and shot dead the injured man, Anton Febrianto, as he held a bomb detonator in his hand.

"When we searched the flat we found pipe bombs, similar to pipe bombs we found near the churches," said Karnavian.

Police said they also shot dead four suspects, including the second-ranking member of the JAD cell in Surabaya, in raids on houses and offices Monday while nine others were arrested.

Indonesian police have foiled numerous terror plots, but the coordinated nature of Sunday's church bombings and the subsequent blasts point to more sophisticated planning than in the past, analysts said.

"There is definitely a growing technical proficiency," said Zachary Abuza, the Southeast Asian security expert at the National War College in Washington.

"To pull off three near-simultaneous bombings is the hallmark of a group that is thinking."

Abuza questioned the police suggestion that the attacks were ordered by the IS leadership abroad, but said it would likely boost its presence in Southeast Asia as it fades elsewhere.

"(They're) going to continue to benefit from operating transnationally in Southeast Asia," he said.

The spate of bombings has rocked Indonesia, with the Islamic State group claiming the church attacks and raising fears about its influence in Southeast Asia as its dreams of a Middle Eastern caliphate fade

A family of five, including a child, carried out the suicide bombing of a police headquarters in Indonesia's second city Surabaya on Monday, police said, a day after a deadly wave of attacks on churches staged by another family. The spate of bombings has rocked Indonesia, with the Islamic State group claiming the church attacks and raising fears about its influence in Southeast Asia as its dreams of a Middle Eastern caliphate fade. Indonesia, which is set to host the Asian Games in just three months, has long struggled with Islamist militancy, including the 2002 Bali bombings that killed over 200 people -- mostly foreign tourists -- in the country's worst-ever terror attack. Security forces have arrested hundreds of militants during a sustained crackdown that smashed some networks, and most recent attacks have been low-level and targeted domestic security forces. But that changed Sunday as a family of six -- including girls aged nine and 12 -- staged suicide bombings of three churches during morning services in Surabaya, killing 18 including the bombers. On Monday members of another family blew themselves up at a police station in the city, wounding 10. "There were five people on two motorbikes. One of them was a little kid," national police chief Tito Karnavian said. "This is one family." An eight-year-old girl from the family survived the attack and was taken to hospital, while her mother, father and two brothers died in the blast, he said. The children were likely led to their deaths without a full awareness of their fate, said Ade Banani, of the University of Indonesia’s research centre of police science and terrorism studies. If a family believed in traditional roles, the father "has the power, so everyone has to obey", Banani said. "The children probably don't know what's going on or don't understand." The father of the church suicide bombers was a local leader in extremist network Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) which supports IS, and the second family was also linked to JAD. "It ordered and gave instructions for its cells to make a move," Karnavian said of the Islamic State's role in the church attacks. He added that the bombings may have also been motivated by the arrest of JAD leaders, including jailed radical Aman Abdurrahman, and were linked to a deadly prison riot staged by Islamist prisoners at a high-security jail near Jakarta last week. Abdurrahman has been connected to several deadly incidents, including a 2016 gun and suicide attack in the capital Jakarta that left four attackers and four civilians dead. Despite their apparent allegiance to IS, the church-bombing family were not returnees from Syria, police said Monday, correcting their earlier statements. However, hundreds of Indonesians have flocked in recent years to fight alongside IS there. Its ambitions have been reined in after losing most of the land it once occupied in Iraq and Syria, and there are concerns that jihadists will now turn their focus on establishing a base in Southeast Asia. Increasingly proficient On Sunday evening, just hours after the church bombings, a further three people in another family were killed and two wounded when another bomb exploded at an apartment complex about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from Surabaya. That explosion appeared to have been an accidental detonation that killed a mother and her 17-year-old child who was not identified. The woman's husband -- a confidante of the husband behind the church bombings, Dita Oepriyanto -- was badly injured in the explosion. Police said they arrived after the explosion and shot dead the injured man, Anton Febrianto, as he held a bomb detonator in his hand. "When we searched the flat we found pipe bombs, similar to pipe bombs we found near the churches," said Karnavian. Police said they also shot dead four suspects, including the second-ranking member of the JAD cell in Surabaya, in raids on houses and offices Monday while nine others were arrested. Indonesian police have foiled numerous terror plots, but the coordinated nature of Sunday's church bombings and the subsequent blasts point to more sophisticated planning than in the past, analysts said. "There is definitely a growing technical proficiency," said Zachary Abuza, the Southeast Asian security expert at the National War College in Washington. "To pull off three near-simultaneous bombings is the hallmark of a group that is thinking." Abuza questioned the police suggestion that the attacks were ordered by the IS leadership abroad, but said it would likely boost its presence in Southeast Asia as it fades elsewhere. "(They're) going to continue to benefit from operating transnationally in Southeast Asia," he said.

Two families staged Indonesian suicide bombings: Police

A knifeman shouting "Allahu akbar" was shot dead by police in central Paris late Saturday after he killed one person and injured four, prompting a terror probe.

The attack took place near the city's main opera house in an area full of bars, restaurants and theatres which were brimming on a weekend night.

French President Emmanuel Macron said: "France once again pays the price of blood."

Saturday's assault is the latest to strike a nation rocked by a series of jihadist attacks in the last three years that have killed more than 245 people.

Prosecutors cited witnesses as saying the man shouted "Allahu akbar" (God is greatest) as he went on the rampage, and added that a terror investigation had been launched.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility, according to the SITE monitoring group, but provided no corroborating proof.

"The executor of the stabbing operation in the city of Paris is a soldier of the Islamic State and the operation was carried out in response to the calls to target the coalition states," a "security source" told IS's official Amaq news agency, according to SITE.

The man, who has not yet been named, attacked five people with a knife, one of whom died, police said. Two were in serious condition and all the victims are in hospital.

A police source told AFP one officer tried to restrain the attacker with a taser but when that failed a colleague shot the man dead.

Interior Minister Gerard Collomb hailed in a tweet the "sang-froid and reaction of the police who neutralised the attacker".

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who visited police in the district where the attack took place, added: "France is determined not to give in to threats that the attackers hope will grind her (the country) down."

Scenes of panic 
The attack took place on Rue Monsigny in the 2nd arrondissement, an area that lies between the main opera house and the Louvre museum, two major tourist attractions. A large area was cordoned off where police, fire and rescue vehicles converged.

Shocked tourists and residents looked on from behind the security perimeter.

"I was on the cafe terrace, I heard three, four shots, it happened very fast," said 47-year-old Gloria.

"The bartenders told us to come inside very quickly. Then I went out to see what was going on, and then I saw a man on the ground," she added.

Another witness, who gave her first name Maxine, said panic spread as word got out that an attack was taking place.

"We saw someone coming out of a building who said he saw the assailant slaughter someone, so people took refuge in the bar," she said.

France has suffered a series of major Islamist attacks including the massacre at the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, the November 2015 attacks that killed 130 in Paris, and the 2016 Bastille Day truck attack in Nice that killed more than 80.

There have also been a string of less deadly but frequent attacks by lone wolf jihadists wielding knives or guns. Most of the attacks have either been claimed by the Islamic State group or been carried out in their name.

A state of emergency put in place just after the 2015 Paris attacks was lifted in October when Macron's centrist government passed a new law boosting the powers of security forces.

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen called for greater security measures after Saturday's attack.

"The French people will no longer be content with talk, they expect action," she said.

Thousands of French troops remain on the streets under an anti-terror operation known as Sentinelle, patrolling transport hubs, tourist hotspots and other sensitive sites.

The knifeman was shot dead by police. 'France once again pays the price of blood,' French President Emmanuel Macron said

A knifeman shouting "Allahu akbar" was shot dead by police in central Paris late Saturday after he killed one person and injured four, prompting a terror probe. The attack took place near the city's main opera house in an area full of bars, restaurants and theatres which were brimming on a weekend night. French President Emmanuel Macron said: "France once again pays the price of blood." Saturday's assault is the latest to strike a nation rocked by a series of jihadist attacks in the last three years that have killed more than 245 people. Prosecutors cited witnesses as saying the man shouted "Allahu akbar" (God is greatest) as he went on the rampage, and added that a terror investigation had been launched. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility, according to the SITE monitoring group, but provided no corroborating proof. "The executor of the stabbing operation in the city of Paris is a soldier of the Islamic State and the operation was carried out in response to the calls to target the coalition states," a "security source" told IS's official Amaq news agency, according to SITE. The man, who has not yet been named, attacked five people with a knife, one of whom died, police said. Two were in serious condition and all the victims are in hospital. A police source told AFP one officer tried to restrain the attacker with a taser but when that failed a colleague shot the man dead. Interior Minister Gerard Collomb hailed in a tweet the "sang-froid and reaction of the police who neutralised the attacker". Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who visited police in the district where the attack took place, added: "France is determined not to give in to threats that the attackers hope will grind her (the country) down." Scenes of panic The attack took place on Rue Monsigny in the 2nd arrondissement, an area that lies between the main opera house and the Louvre museum, two major tourist attractions. A large area was cordoned off where police, fire and rescue vehicles converged. Shocked tourists and residents looked on from behind the security perimeter. "I was on the cafe terrace, I heard three, four shots, it happened very fast," said 47-year-old Gloria. "The bartenders told us to come inside very quickly. Then I went out to see what was going on, and then I saw a man on the ground," she added. Another witness, who gave her first name Maxine, said panic spread as word got out that an attack was taking place. "We saw someone coming out of a building who said he saw the assailant slaughter someone, so people took refuge in the bar," she said. France has suffered a series of major Islamist attacks including the massacre at the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, the November 2015 attacks that killed 130 in Paris, and the 2016 Bastille Day truck attack in Nice that killed more than 80. There have also been a string of less deadly but frequent attacks by lone wolf jihadists wielding knives or guns. Most of the attacks have either been claimed by the Islamic State group or been carried out in their name. A state of emergency put in place just after the 2015 Paris attacks was lifted in October when Macron's centrist government passed a new law boosting the powers of security forces. French far-right leader Marine Le Pen called for greater security measures after Saturday's attack. "The French people will no longer be content with talk, they expect action," she said. Thousands of French troops remain on the streets under an anti-terror operation known as Sentinelle, patrolling transport hubs, tourist hotspots and other sensitive sites.

One dead, 4 injured after knife attack in Paris. Islamic State claims responsibility

A bomb explosion in Afghanistan's Laghman province on Sunday led to&nbsp;injuries of at least eleven civilians on Sunday.

The injured includes five woman, two children and four men.

The injured people have been moved to the hospital for treatment.&nbsp;

The authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion and have deployed a team at the explosion site.

Though the province is&nbsp;comparatively&nbsp;peaceful in the country, Taliban militants and Islamic State are active in few remote parts of the province.

The United Nations recently expressed concern and outrage over the frequent terror attacks in the country.

Twin suicide blasts, claimed by the ISIS, in the Afghan capital Kabul killed 25 people, including 10 journalists earlier this week. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)

The United Nations recently expressed concern and outrage over the frequent terror attacks in the country

A bomb explosion in Afghanistan's Laghman province on Sunday led to injuries of at least eleven civilians on Sunday. The injured includes five woman, two children and four men. The injured people have been moved to the hospital for treatment. The authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion and have deployed a team at the explosion site. Though the province is comparatively peaceful in the country, Taliban militants and Islamic State are active in few remote parts of the province. The United Nations recently expressed concern and outrage over the frequent terror attacks in the country. Twin suicide blasts, claimed by the ISIS, in the Afghan capital Kabul killed 25 people, including 10 journalists earlier this week. (With inputs from ANI)

11 wounded in Laghman explosion in Afghanistan

The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad Friday filed a charge sheet in a court in Ankleshwar town of Bharuch district against two suspected ISIS operatives who were arrested last year.

While the accused, Mohammad Kasim Stimberwala and Ubed Ahmed Mirza, were held on charges of planning a 'lone wolf' attack on a Jewish synagogue in Khadia area here, the charge sheet claimed that they had also planned attacks on the Jewish community in Mumbai.

They wanted to carry out the attack in Mumbai as more Jews lived there compared to Ahmedabad, claimed the over 1,500 pages' charge sheet, filed in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate R D Mehta.

The charge sheet was filed in Ankleshwar as one of the suspects was held from there in October last year.

While Stimberwala worked as a laboratory technician at a hospital in Ankleshwar, Mirza was a lawyer practising in the Surat district court.

Both were "highly radicalised by the Jehadi ideology of the Islamic State and actively planning lone wolf attacks on Jews", it claimed.

Abdullah el-Faisal, a radical preacher based in Jamaica, and suspected ISIS handler Shafi Armar were shown as "absconding" in the charge sheet.

The arrested duo were in touch with el-Faisal and Shafi Armar to plan attacks on Jews in India, and conducted recce of some of the targets. They were even planning to send radicalised youths outside India to take part in terrorist acts, the charge sheet said.

Though Stimberwala and Mirza tried to procure weapons through their contacts in Delhi and Lucknow, they failed, said the charge sheet.

Apart from planning a 'lone-wolf' attack on the synagogue in Khadia area here, for which Stimberwala conducted a recce, they also thought of carrying out attacks in Nariman Point area in Mumbai to maximise the impact as a considerable number of Jews live there, it said.

Both have been charged with IPC sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 121-A (sedition) and 125 (waging war against any Asiatic power in alliance with India). They were also booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

As per the FIR lodged in October, both the accused were under the influence of El-Faisal, who was convicted for spreading hatred in the UK and deported to Jamaica.

El-Faisal was subsequently detained in Jamaica on the charge of persuading youths to travel to Syria to take up jihad, the FIR had said.

While the accused, Mohammad Kasim Stimberwala and Ubed Ahmed Mirza, were held on charges of planning a 'lone wolf' attack on a Jewish synagogue in Khadia area here, the charge sheet claimed that they had also planned attacks on the Jewish community in Mumbai

The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad Friday filed a charge sheet in a court in Ankleshwar town of Bharuch district against two suspected ISIS operatives who were arrested last year. While the accused, Mohammad Kasim Stimberwala and Ubed Ahmed Mirza, were held on charges of planning a 'lone wolf' attack on a Jewish synagogue in Khadia area here, the charge sheet claimed that they had also planned attacks on the Jewish community in Mumbai. They wanted to carry out the attack in Mumbai as more Jews lived there compared to Ahmedabad, claimed the over 1,500 pages' charge sheet, filed in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate R D Mehta. The charge sheet was filed in Ankleshwar as one of the suspects was held from there in October last year. While Stimberwala worked as a laboratory technician at a hospital in Ankleshwar, Mirza was a lawyer practising in the Surat district court. Both were "highly radicalised by the Jehadi ideology of the Islamic State and actively planning lone wolf attacks on Jews", it claimed. Abdullah el-Faisal, a radical preacher based in Jamaica, and suspected ISIS handler Shafi Armar were shown as "absconding" in the charge sheet. The arrested duo were in touch with el-Faisal and Shafi Armar to plan attacks on Jews in India, and conducted recce of some of the targets. They were even planning to send radicalised youths outside India to take part in terrorist acts, the charge sheet said. Though Stimberwala and Mirza tried to procure weapons through their contacts in Delhi and Lucknow, they failed, said the charge sheet. Apart from planning a 'lone-wolf' attack on the synagogue in Khadia area here, for which Stimberwala conducted a recce, they also thought of carrying out attacks in Nariman Point area in Mumbai to maximise the impact as a considerable number of Jews live there, it said. Both have been charged with IPC sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 121-A (sedition) and 125 (waging war against any Asiatic power in alliance with India). They were also booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). As per the FIR lodged in October, both the accused were under the influence of El-Faisal, who was convicted for spreading hatred in the UK and deported to Jamaica. El-Faisal was subsequently detained in Jamaica on the charge of persuading youths to travel to Syria to take up jihad, the FIR had said.

ISIS suspects planned attacks on Jews in Mumbai: Gujarat ATS

Mali`s army said on Saturday it had killed 14 jihadist suspects who were trying to escape detention in its central region, the latest in a string of killings by the armed forces that have provoked condemnation from rights groups.

The military said in a statement that the suspects had been arrested in Dioura on April 5 and were killed the following day.

"Following an alleged attempt to escape, 14 terrorist suspects were killed on April 6 in Dioura," the statement said. "The command has taken measures to shed light on this issue," it said.

The statement is likely to draw the attention of human rights groups which have accused the security forces of carrying out summary executions in their campaign to secure central Mali, which has been plagued by violent Islamists and ethnic militias.

Amnesty International raised the alarm this week over reports that six people found dead in a mass grave in the central Mopti region in March had been arrested by the military three days earlier.

There has been a spate of killings and kidnappings ahead of a July presidential election which rights groups say are being conducted by the army against suspected sympathisers of jihadist groups. The government has rejected the allegations.

The violence has raised doubts about whether Mali will be able to hold credible elections in less than three months` time.&nbsp

Two Chadian peacekeepers were killed on Thursday and at least 10 others were wounded when a UN camp came under mortar fire in the northern Kidal region, the country`s most volatile.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said such acts "only reinforce the commitment of the United Nations to support the people and the Government of Mali in their quest for peace".

On Friday evening, a peacekeeper was killed when two armed men in the northern city of Gao opened fire on his vehicle, the UN force said in a statement.

Unidentified gunmen killed one person and wounded at least two others last Wednesday in an attack on a hotel in the central town of Bandiagara regularly frequented by UN staff and humanitarian agency workers.&nbsp

Some 65 people have been killed in 2018 by improvised explosive devices, Amnesty International estimated this week.

Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Mali and Mauritania launched a G5 Sahel taskforce last year to tackle Islamist militants in the region.

France, its main Western backer, hopes the force will enable them to start drawing down the 4,000 or so troops it has had stationed in Mali since intervening to prevent Islamists and allied Tuareg rebels taking over the country in 2013.&nbsp

International donors have committed half a billion dollars to the force, but Mali remains heavily dependent on foreign firepower.&nbsp

The French army said on Thursday that French and Malian troops had killed about 30 Islamist insurgents during a gun battle near the border with Niger, where Islamic State`s Saharan affiliate are known to be active.&nbsp

Mali`s army said on Saturday it had killed 14 jihadist suspects who were trying to escape detention in its central region, the latest in a string of killings by the armed forces that have provoked condemnation from rights groups

Mali`s army said on Saturday it had killed 14 jihadist suspects who were trying to escape detention in its central region, the latest in a string of killings by the armed forces that have provoked condemnation from rights groups. The military said in a statement that the suspects had been arrested in Dioura on April 5 and were killed the following day. "Following an alleged attempt to escape, 14 terrorist suspects were killed on April 6 in Dioura," the statement said. "The command has taken measures to shed light on this issue," it said. The statement is likely to draw the attention of human rights groups which have accused the security forces of carrying out summary executions in their campaign to secure central Mali, which has been plagued by violent Islamists and ethnic militias. Amnesty International raised the alarm this week over reports that six people found dead in a mass grave in the central Mopti region in March had been arrested by the military three days earlier. There has been a spate of killings and kidnappings ahead of a July presidential election which rights groups say are being conducted by the army against suspected sympathisers of jihadist groups. The government has rejected the allegations. The violence has raised doubts about whether Mali will be able to hold credible elections in less than three months` time. Two Chadian peacekeepers were killed on Thursday and at least 10 others were wounded when a UN camp came under mortar fire in the northern Kidal region, the country`s most volatile. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said such acts "only reinforce the commitment of the United Nations to support the people and the Government of Mali in their quest for peace". On Friday evening, a peacekeeper was killed when two armed men in the northern city of Gao opened fire on his vehicle, the UN force said in a statement. Unidentified gunmen killed one person and wounded at least two others last Wednesday in an attack on a hotel in the central town of Bandiagara regularly frequented by UN staff and humanitarian agency workers. Some 65 people have been killed in 2018 by improvised explosive devices, Amnesty International estimated this week. Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Mali and Mauritania launched a G5 Sahel taskforce last year to tackle Islamist militants in the region. France, its main Western backer, hopes the force will enable them to start drawing down the 4,000 or so troops it has had stationed in Mali since intervening to prevent Islamists and allied Tuareg rebels taking over the country in 2013. International donors have committed half a billion dollars to the force, but Mali remains heavily dependent on foreign firepower. The French army said on Thursday that French and Malian troops had killed about 30 Islamist insurgents during a gun battle near the border with Niger, where Islamic State`s Saharan affiliate are known to be active.

Mali army kills 14 jihadist suspects in 'attempted escape'

United States President Donald Trump affirmed that the US "will not stop until ISIS is gone" while justifying the presence of the US troops in Syria.

Presidents of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia visited the White House on Wednesday to attend the Baltic Summit in the United States.

Trump took to his Twitter account to welcome all the three Presidents to the White House while congratulating Estonia on its 100th anniversary of Independence.

"Today, it was my honour to welcome Estonia President @KerstiKaljulaid, Lithuania President @Grybauskaite_LT, and Latvia President @Vejonis to the @WhiteHouse. Congratulations on your 100th anniversaries of independence! #BalticSummit", Trump tweeted.

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Today, it was my honor to welcome Estonia President <a href="https://twitter.com/KerstiKaljulaid?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KerstiKaljulaid</a>, Lithuania President <a href="https://twitter.com/Grybauskaite_LT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Grybauskaite_LT</a>, and Latvia President <a href="https://twitter.com/Vejonis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Vejonis</a> to the <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WhiteHouse</a>. Congratulations on your 100th anniversaries of independence! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BalticSummit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BalticSummit</a>: <a href="https://t.co/XAchZ3zUSe">https://t.co/XAchZ3zUSe</a> <a href="https://t.co/RRftyTGEvb">pic.twitter.com/RRftyTGEvb</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/981248899166932994?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp

The three Presidents of the Baltic nations hosted a joint press conference with Trump as part of the Baltic summit.

Trump, while addressing the conference, mentioned the World's Declaration of 1940 and US-Baltic Charter of 1998 and assured to stand with it.

He further acknowledged the assistance of the Baltic countries in providing military training to the soldiers to fight against military group ISIS in Iraq and Syria.&nbsp

Trump said, "We will not stop until ISIS is gone".Trump further called for expanding mutual trade relations between Baltic countries and US.

He encouraged the move of Lithuania to begin buying the liquid natural gas from the United States as part of an effort to secure alternative energy supplies and reduce its dependence on Russia.

Referring to US sanctions on Russia for its alleged role in the manipulation of the 2014 US elections, Trump said, "Nobody's been tougher on Russia than I have."Trump also praised the Baltic countries for their robust defence spending.&nbsp

Latvia and Lithuania come close to meeting the NATO benchmark of devoting two percent of their economies to defence while Estonia spends slightly more than two percent.

"When nations are committed to peace and to security, they have to pay their share and we will all enjoy a much more safe and prosperous future," Trump said.

Trump was followed by President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite, who focused on the defence issues being faced by the countries while mentioning the Article 5 of the US-Baltic Declaration.

Grybauskaite said, "Our discussions are more about bringing reforms in defence. We are helping the United States to combat terrorism in Afghanistan, Maali and wherever it is required. We see the willingness of US to see a different quality of NATO."&nbsp

Further, the Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis said the US has committed to apply deterrent policies in the Baltic regions.

"We will commit 2 per cent GDP towards military strengthening NATO in eastern area and contribute to international security," Vejonis said.

He further mentioned of combating military terrorism, cyber information warfare and nuclear proliferation, while highlighting the growth of the digital economy and trade relations with the US.

Further, Estonia's President Kersti Kaljulaid reiterated the commitment of Baltic nations towards military strengthening by saying, "Peace and security depend on strong sovereign nations. We stand together like-minded partners and allies.&nbsp

We find it important to contribute to counter-terrorism and spend 2 per cent of GDP on defence".

Presidents of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia visited the White House on Wednesday to attend the Baltic Summit in the US

United States President Donald Trump affirmed that the US "will not stop until ISIS is gone" while justifying the presence of the US troops in Syria. Presidents of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia visited the White House on Wednesday to attend the Baltic Summit in the United States. Trump took to his Twitter account to welcome all the three Presidents to the White House while congratulating Estonia on its 100th anniversary of Independence. "Today, it was my honour to welcome Estonia President @KerstiKaljulaid, Lithuania President @Grybauskaite_LT, and Latvia President @Vejonis to the @WhiteHouse. Congratulations on your 100th anniversaries of independence! #BalticSummit", Trump tweeted. Today, it was my honor to welcome Estonia President @KerstiKaljulaid, Lithuania President @Grybauskaite_LT, and Latvia President @Vejonis to the @WhiteHouse. Congratulations on your 100th anniversaries of independence! #BalticSummit: https://t.co/XAchZ3zUSe pic.twitter.com/RRftyTGEvb — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 3, 2018 × The three Presidents of the Baltic nations hosted a joint press conference with Trump as part of the Baltic summit. Trump, while addressing the conference, mentioned the World's Declaration of 1940 and US-Baltic Charter of 1998 and assured to stand with it. He further acknowledged the assistance of the Baltic countries in providing military training to the soldiers to fight against military group ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Trump said, "We will not stop until ISIS is gone".Trump further called for expanding mutual trade relations between Baltic countries and US. He encouraged the move of Lithuania to begin buying the liquid natural gas from the United States as part of an effort to secure alternative energy supplies and reduce its dependence on Russia. Referring to US sanctions on Russia for its alleged role in the manipulation of the 2014 US elections, Trump said, "Nobody's been tougher on Russia than I have."Trump also praised the Baltic countries for their robust defence spending. Latvia and Lithuania come close to meeting the NATO benchmark of devoting two percent of their economies to defence while Estonia spends slightly more than two percent. "When nations are committed to peace and to security, they have to pay their share and we will all enjoy a much more safe and prosperous future," Trump said. Trump was followed by President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite, who focused on the defence issues being faced by the countries while mentioning the Article 5 of the US-Baltic Declaration. Grybauskaite said, "Our discussions are more about bringing reforms in defence. We are helping the United States to combat terrorism in Afghanistan, Maali and wherever it is required. We see the willingness of US to see a different quality of NATO." Further, the Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis said the US has committed to apply deterrent policies in the Baltic regions. "We will commit 2 per cent GDP towards military strengthening NATO in eastern area and contribute to international security," Vejonis said. He further mentioned of combating military terrorism, cyber information warfare and nuclear proliferation, while highlighting the growth of the digital economy and trade relations with the US. Further, Estonia's President Kersti Kaljulaid reiterated the commitment of Baltic nations towards military strengthening by saying, "Peace and security depend on strong sovereign nations. We stand together like-minded partners and allies. We find it important to contribute to counter-terrorism and spend 2 per cent of GDP on defence".

Will not stop until ISIS is gone: Trump at Baltic summit

Responding to a question on whether the families of the 39 Indians who died in Iraq will be provided jobs or compensation, MoS VK Singh said Monday the issue was not like distributing biscuits.&nbsp;

He said, "The issue is not about distributing biscuits, it is about the life of people, did you understand".

He further said that how can he announce the amount (now), he did not have any treasure in his pocket.

&nbsp;

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Ye biscuit baantne wala kaam nahi hai, ye admiyon ki zindagi ka sawal hai,a gayi baat samajh mein?Main abhi elaan kahan se karoon?Jeb mein koi pitaara thodi rakha hua hai: VK Singh,MoS MEA on if there would be some compensation announced today for kin of 38 Indians killed in Iraq <a href="https://t.co/jQFp2IXDLW">pic.twitter.com/jQFp2IXDLW</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/980740160592777216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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He also said that it was not a game of football and the External Affairs Ministry will review the families about the details of the members who can be given jobs&nbsp;

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This is not a game of football, Both state and central govt are sensitive govts, EAM had asked the families for the details of their members who can be given jobs etc, we will review: VK Singh,MoS MEA on whether kin of the 38 Indians will be given jobs <a href="https://t.co/J0ryINOc1P">pic.twitter.com/J0ryINOc1P</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/980735924169531392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu has announced ex-gratia&nbsp;compensation of Rs 5 lakh including jobs to families of 27 Indians who died in Mosul, Iraq.

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Ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh per family, job for one person per family will be given and current pension of Rs 20,000 to continue: Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on compensation for 27 of 39 Indians killed in Iraq who were from Punjab <a href="https://t.co/KIaHKBrzR5">pic.twitter.com/KIaHKBrzR5</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/980745194080489477?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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MoS VK Singh brought back the mortal&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/vk-singh-leaves-for-iraq-to-bring-back-bodies-of-39-indians-killed-in-mosul-127575">remains of 38 Indians who were</a>&nbsp;killed by the Islamic State in Mosul, Iraq&nbsp;in Amritsar today.

The Indians had gone missing in 2014 as the government launched a massive search operation along with the Iraqi government.

Foreign Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had announced in Parliament last month that the Indian government had found the mortal remains of the Indians.

MoS VK Singh said that providing jobs and compensation to the 39 Indians who died in Mosul, Iraq was not a game of football and the External Affairs Ministry will review the families about the details of the members who can be given jobs

Responding to a question on whether the families of the 39 Indians who died in Iraq will be provided jobs or compensation, MoS VK Singh said Monday the issue was not like distributing biscuits. He said, "The issue is not about distributing biscuits, it is about the life of people, did you understand". He further said that how can he announce the amount (now), he did not have any treasure in his pocket. Ye biscuit baantne wala kaam nahi hai, ye admiyon ki zindagi ka sawal hai,a gayi baat samajh mein?Main abhi elaan kahan se karoon?Jeb mein koi pitaara thodi rakha hua hai: VK Singh,MoS MEA on if there would be some compensation announced today for kin of 38 Indians killed in Iraq pic.twitter.com/jQFp2IXDLW — ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018 × He also said that it was not a game of football and the External Affairs Ministry will review the families about the details of the members who can be given jobs This is not a game of football, Both state and central govt are sensitive govts, EAM had asked the families for the details of their members who can be given jobs etc, we will review: VK Singh,MoS MEA on whether kin of the 38 Indians will be given jobs pic.twitter.com/J0ryINOc1P — ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018 × Meanwhile, Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu has announced ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh including jobs to families of 27 Indians who died in Mosul, Iraq. Ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh per family, job for one person per family will be given and current pension of Rs 20,000 to continue: Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on compensation for 27 of 39 Indians killed in Iraq who were from Punjab pic.twitter.com/KIaHKBrzR5 — ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2018 × MoS VK Singh brought back the mortal remains of 38 Indians who were killed by the Islamic State in Mosul, Iraq in Amritsar today. The Indians had gone missing in 2014 as the government launched a massive search operation along with the Iraqi government. Foreign Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had announced in Parliament last month that the Indian government had found the mortal remains of the Indians.

Not like distributing biscuits: VK Singh on compensation to kin of Indians killed in Iraq

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

Italian police on Thursday arrested five people as part of what they said was a major operation against suspected supporters of Islamist terrorism around Rome.

They were believed to have connections with the Tunisian ISIS militant who killed 12 people at a Berlin Christmas market in 2016.&nbsp

A number of raids were conducted across central and southern Italy on Thursday when the suspects were arrested. Warrants have been issued to a Palestinian nation after he was accused of training and conducting other activities for the purpose of international terrorism as well as four Tunisians suspected of falsifying documents and facilitating illegal immigration.

However, the sources said there was no evidence the suspects participated directly in the Berlin truck attack or that they were preparing an imminent attack in Italy.

As part of their operation, police were carrying out searches in Rome, the southern port city of Naples and the central and southern towns of Latina, Viterbo, Caserta and Matera, the sources said.

As per reports, the suspects were traced by analyzing the mobile phone records of Anis Amri, the man who killed 12 people and wounded 56 when he drove a truck into a crowded market in the German capital on December 19th 2016. Four days later Italian police tracked him to Milan, where he was killed in a shootout.&nbsp

Thursday's arrests suggest that his network in Italy may have extended further. So far this year, 29 foreigners, mostly Muslims, have been expelled from Italy as suspected threats to national security.

They were believed to have connections with the Tunisian ISIS militant who killed 12 poeple at a Berlin christmans market in 2016

Italian police on Thursday arrested five people as part of what they said was a major operation against suspected supporters of Islamist terrorism around Rome. They were believed to have connections with the Tunisian ISIS militant who killed 12 people at a Berlin Christmas market in 2016. A number of raids were conducted across central and southern Italy on Thursday when the suspects were arrested. Warrants have been issued to a Palestinian nation after he was accused of training and conducting other activities for the purpose of international terrorism as well as four Tunisians suspected of falsifying documents and facilitating illegal immigration. However, the sources said there was no evidence the suspects participated directly in the Berlin truck attack or that they were preparing an imminent attack in Italy. As part of their operation, police were carrying out searches in Rome, the southern port city of Naples and the central and southern towns of Latina, Viterbo, Caserta and Matera, the sources said. As per reports, the suspects were traced by analyzing the mobile phone records of Anis Amri, the man who killed 12 people and wounded 56 when he drove a truck into a crowded market in the German capital on December 19th 2016. Four days later Italian police tracked him to Milan, where he was killed in a shootout. Thursday's arrests suggest that his network in Italy may have extended further. So far this year, 29 foreigners, mostly Muslims, have been expelled from Italy as suspected threats to national security.

Italy arrests 5 Tunisians in anti-terrorism swoop

The kin of Indians who died in Iraq are demanding a compensation for the families as they announced that they would hold&nbsp;a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar from Saturday.

The Brother-in-law of one of the Indian killed in Iraq said that &quot;we&#39;ve given govt time till tomorrow morning to announce a compensation to secure future of families of deceased. If they aren&#39;t able to do it then we&#39;ll protest at Jantar Mantar tomorrow.&quot;

Sister of Manjinder Singh, Gurpidner Kaur also claimed that the government is not responding to the demands even External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has not replied to the &#39;repeated attempts of contact.&#39;

&nbsp;&quot;We won&#39;t do a violent protest, we&#39;ll just sit peacefully. Union govt hasn&#39;t contacted us yet. EAM Sushma Swaraj has not replied to us even after repeated attempts to contact and meet her: Gurpinder Kaur, sister of Manjinder Singh who was among 39 Indians killed in Iraq,&quot; she said.

Sushma Swaraj informed Rajya Sabha on Tuesday about the 39 kidnapped Indians&nbsp;who had gone missing since 2014 in Iraq are dead. Most of them were from Punjab.

All of them were shot in the head.The bodies have also been recovered from a mound in Badush village near Mosul.&nbsp;

The 39 Indians were kidnapped in 2014. On Wednesday Swaraj said they had been killed by the Islamic State.&nbsp;

Minister of State for External Affairs General (retd) VK Singh has flown to Mosul to bring back the bodies.&nbsp;

The government has come under much flak for its handling of the case. The families of the 39 killed have said they heard about the deaths when Swaraj made her speech in Parliament, and that they were not told beforehand.&nbsp;

The opposition meanwhile has said the government knew about the deaths beforehand but had been misleading the public.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Kin of Indians who died in Iraq are demanding a compensation for the families as they announce to hold a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar from Friday

The kin of Indians who died in Iraq are demanding a compensation for the families as they announced that they would hold a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar from Saturday. The Brother-in-law of one of the Indian killed in Iraq said that "we've given govt time till tomorrow morning to announce a compensation to secure future of families of deceased. If they aren't able to do it then we'll protest at Jantar Mantar tomorrow." Sister of Manjinder Singh, Gurpidner Kaur also claimed that the government is not responding to the demands even External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has not replied to the 'repeated attempts of contact.' "We won't do a violent protest, we'll just sit peacefully. Union govt hasn't contacted us yet. EAM Sushma Swaraj has not replied to us even after repeated attempts to contact and meet her: Gurpinder Kaur, sister of Manjinder Singh who was among 39 Indians killed in Iraq," she said. Sushma Swaraj informed Rajya Sabha on Tuesday about the 39 kidnapped Indians who had gone missing since 2014 in Iraq are dead. Most of them were from Punjab. All of them were shot in the head.The bodies have also been recovered from a mound in Badush village near Mosul. The 39 Indians were kidnapped in 2014. On Wednesday Swaraj said they had been killed by the Islamic State. Minister of State for External Affairs General (retd) VK Singh has flown to Mosul to bring back the bodies. The government has come under much flak for its handling of the case. The families of the 39 killed have said they heard about the deaths when Swaraj made her speech in Parliament, and that they were not told beforehand. The opposition meanwhile has said the government knew about the deaths beforehand but had been misleading the public.

Families of Indians killed in Iraq to hold a protest in Delhi over compensation demand

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/two-dead-as-suspected-is-gunman-takes-hostages-in-france-36862">Two dead as suspected IS gunman takes hostages in France</a>

At least two people were killed after a gunman claiming allegiance to the Islamic State group opened fire and took hostages at a supermarket in southwest France on Friday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trade-deficit-with-china-costs-2-million-jobs-to-us-white-house-36858">Trade</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trade-deficit-with-china-costs-2-million-jobs-to-us-white-house-36858"> deficit with China costs 2 million jobs to </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trade-deficit-with-china-costs-2-million-jobs-to-us-white-house-36858">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trade-deficit-with-china-costs-2-million-jobs-to-us-white-house-36858">: White House</a>

America&#39;s massive trade deficit with China is estimated to have resulted in about two million job losses in the US, the White House has said, defending President Donald Trump&#39;s decision to initiate strong actions against China&#39;s &quot;unfair&quot; trade practices.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/victory-of-truth-says-arvind-kejriwal-after-delhi-high-court-sets-aside-disqualification-of-aap-mlas-36845">Victory</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/victory-of-truth-says-arvind-kejriwal-after-delhi-high-court-sets-aside-disqualification-of-aap-mlas-36845"> of </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/victory-of-truth-says-arvind-kejriwal-after-delhi-high-court-sets-aside-disqualification-of-aap-mlas-36845">truth,</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/victory-of-truth-says-arvind-kejriwal-after-delhi-high-court-sets-aside-disqualification-of-aap-mlas-36845"> tweets Arvind Kejriwal after Delhi High Court sets aside disqualification of AAP MLAs</a>

After the high court set aside the Election Commission order disqualifying 20 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs (Members of Legislative Assembly) in an office of profit case, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal called it a &quot;victory of truth.&quot;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karti-chidambaram-granted-bail-in-inx-media-case-36833">Karti Chidambaram granted bail in INX Media case</a>

Karti Chidambaram has been granted bail in INX Media case. The Delhi high court while granting the bail told him not to travel abroad.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russian-strikes-kill-37-civilians-in-eastern-ghouta-monitor-36842">Russian strikes kill 37 civilians in Eastern Ghouta: Monitor</a>

Thirty-seven civilians died in the the shrinking rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta&#39;s Arbin area near Damascus overnight, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday.

Two dead as suspected IS gunman takes hostages in France At least two people were killed after a gunman claiming allegiance to the Islamic State group opened fire and took hostages at a supermarket in southwest France on Friday. Trade deficit with China costs 2 million jobs to US: White House America's massive trade deficit with China is estimated to have resulted in about two million job losses in the US, the White House has said, defending President Donald Trump's decision to initiate strong actions against China's "unfair" trade practices. Victory of truth, tweets Arvind Kejriwal after Delhi High Court sets aside disqualification of AAP MLAs After the high court set aside the Election Commission order disqualifying 20 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs (Members of Legislative Assembly) in an office of profit case, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal called it a "victory of truth." Karti Chidambaram granted bail in INX Media case Karti Chidambaram has been granted bail in INX Media case. The Delhi high court while granting the bail told him not to travel abroad. Russian strikes kill 37 civilians in Eastern Ghouta: Monitor Thirty-seven civilians died in the the shrinking rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta's Arbin area near Damascus overnight, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday.

Wion evening news brief, March 23, 2018

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