The death toll from the worst militant attack in Burkina Faso in recent years has risen to 132, the government said on Saturday, after armed assailants laid siege overnight to a village in the jihadist-plagued northeast. 
 
The attackers struck during the night on Friday, killing residents of the village of Solhan in Yagha province, bordering Niger. They also burned homes and the market, the government said in a statement. 
 
It declared a 72-hour period of national mourning, describing the attackers as terrorists, although no group has claimed responsibility. Another 40 residents were wounded, government spokesperson Ousseni Tamboura later told reporters. 
 
The United Nations said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was outraged by the attack, whose victims included seven children. 
 
Despite the presence of thousands of UN&nbsp;peacekeepers, attacks by jihadists linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State in West Africa's Sahel region have risen sharply since the start of the year, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, with civilians bearing the brunt. 
 
The violence in Burkina Faso has displaced more than 1.14 million people in just over two years, while the poor, arid country is hosting some 20,000 refugees from neighbouring Mali. 
 
The latest attack pushes the number killed by armed Islamists in the Sahel region to over 500 since January, according to Human Rights Watch's West Africa director, Corinne Dufka. 
 
"The dynamic is the jihadists come in, they overpower the civil defence post and engage in collective punishment against the rest of the village - it's a pattern we've seen everywhere this year," Dufka said. 
 
In March, attackers killed 137 people in coordinated raids on villages in southwestern Niger. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The death toll from the worst militant attack in Burkina Faso in recent years has risen to 132, the government said on Saturday, after armed assailants laid siege overnight to a village in the jihadist-plagued northeast.

The death toll from the worst militant attack in Burkina Faso in recent years has risen to 132, the government said on Saturday, after armed assailants laid siege overnight to a village in the jihadist-plagued northeast. The attackers struck during the night on Friday, killing residents of the village of Solhan in Yagha province, bordering Niger. They also burned homes and the market, the government said in a statement. It declared a 72-hour period of national mourning, describing the attackers as terrorists, although no group has claimed responsibility. Another 40 residents were wounded, government spokesperson Ousseni Tamboura later told reporters. The United Nations said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was outraged by the attack, whose victims included seven children. Despite the presence of thousands of UN peacekeepers, attacks by jihadists linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State in West Africa's Sahel region have risen sharply since the start of the year, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, with civilians bearing the brunt. The violence in Burkina Faso has displaced more than 1.14 million people in just over two years, while the poor, arid country is hosting some 20,000 refugees from neighbouring Mali. The latest attack pushes the number killed by armed Islamists in the Sahel region to over 500 since January, according to Human Rights Watch's West Africa director, Corinne Dufka. "The dynamic is the jihadists come in, they overpower the civil defence post and engage in collective punishment against the rest of the village - it's a pattern we've seen everywhere this year," Dufka said. In March, attackers killed 137 people in coordinated raids on villages in southwestern Niger. (With inputs from agencies)

At least 132 civilians killed in Burkina Faso's worst attack in years

Hundreds of masked Hamas fighters brandishing assault rifles paraded in Gaza City on Saturday, in a defiant show of strength after the militants' 11-day war with Israel.

Hamas militants march through Gaza city to celebrate ceasefire

Malaysian police said on Tuesday five suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf militant group were killed in a shootout in the state of Sabah on the Malaysian portion of Borneo, state news agency Bernama reported.&nbsp;

The Abu Sayyaf group, whose members pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2014, is based in the southern Philippines and is notorious for bombings, beheadings, extortions and kidnap-for-ransom activities.&nbsp;

Authorities in Malaysia have stepped up efforts to crack down on militant activity in recent years after an attack linked to Islamic State in the capital Kuala Lumpur in 2016 and others in neighbouring countries.&nbsp;

The five men killed in a Monday night shootout in a squatter area included Mabar Binda, an Abu Sayyaf sub-commander on the Philippine government's wanted list, the Sabah state police commissioner Hazani Ghazali said.&nbsp;

Hazani said police responded with gunfire after one of the suspects opened fire during the raid. Officers found two pistols, 20 rounds of ammunition and three machetes.&nbsp;

"With the fall of these five, the police are confident we have crippled one Abu Sayyaf cell hiding out in Sabah," Hazani was quoted as saying in the report.&nbsp;

The police had detained 83 people in Sabah between 2014 and 2020 for suspected links to Islamic State, Hazani said.&nbsp;

Sabah has long grappled with the threat of armed kidnappers taking advantage of the proximity and porous maritime borders between the southern Philippines and the Malaysian state.&nbsp;

The Philippines military said in March troops killed an Abu Sayyaf leader and rescued four Indonesian hostages held for a year since they were kidnapped from Sabah.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Malaysian police said on Tuesday five suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf militant group were killed in a shootout in the state of Sabah on the Malaysian portion of Borneo, state news agency Bernama reported.

Malaysian police said on Tuesday five suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf militant group were killed in a shootout in the state of Sabah on the Malaysian portion of Borneo, state news agency Bernama reported. The Abu Sayyaf group, whose members pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2014, is based in the southern Philippines and is notorious for bombings, beheadings, extortions and kidnap-for-ransom activities. Authorities in Malaysia have stepped up efforts to crack down on militant activity in recent years after an attack linked to Islamic State in the capital Kuala Lumpur in 2016 and others in neighbouring countries. The five men killed in a Monday night shootout in a squatter area included Mabar Binda, an Abu Sayyaf sub-commander on the Philippine government's wanted list, the Sabah state police commissioner Hazani Ghazali said. Hazani said police responded with gunfire after one of the suspects opened fire during the raid. Officers found two pistols, 20 rounds of ammunition and three machetes. "With the fall of these five, the police are confident we have crippled one Abu Sayyaf cell hiding out in Sabah," Hazani was quoted as saying in the report. The police had detained 83 people in Sabah between 2014 and 2020 for suspected links to Islamic State, Hazani said. Sabah has long grappled with the threat of armed kidnappers taking advantage of the proximity and porous maritime borders between the southern Philippines and the Malaysian state. The Philippines military said in March troops killed an Abu Sayyaf leader and rescued four Indonesian hostages held for a year since they were kidnapped from Sabah. (With inputs from agencies)

Five suspected Abu Sayyaf militants killed in raid: Malaysian police  

The Israeli military says Palestinian militants fired a rocket from Gaza into the country's south on Friday, the second incident in 24 hours. The rocket caused no damage or injuries.&nbsp;

In response, Israeli fighter jets and helicopters hit five sites of the militant Hamas group, which controls the Gaza Strip. There were no reports of casualties in the air raids, which the Israeli military said targeted a training site, weapons manufacturing facility and a factory producing building materials for for attack tunnels, among other targets.&nbsp;

Israel blames Hamas for any attack emanating from the Palestinian enclave.&nbsp;

Hazem Qassem, a spokesman for the Islamic militant group, said the Israeli airstrikes 'will not break' Gaza.&nbsp;

Early on Friday, Israeli aircraft hit three facilities operated by Hamas in response to the previous rocket attack.&nbsp;

The Israeli response came after the military said a projectile fired from the Gaza Strip Thursday evening landed in south of the country. That rocket attacks and Israeli retaliatory raids broke weeks of relative cross-border calm. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The Israeli military says Palestinian militants fired a rocket from Gaza into the country's south on Friday, the second incident in 24 hours. The rocket caused no damage or injuries.

The Israeli military says Palestinian militants fired a rocket from Gaza into the country's south on Friday, the second incident in 24 hours. The rocket caused no damage or injuries. In response, Israeli fighter jets and helicopters hit five sites of the militant Hamas group, which controls the Gaza Strip. There were no reports of casualties in the air raids, which the Israeli military said targeted a training site, weapons manufacturing facility and a factory producing building materials for for attack tunnels, among other targets. Israel blames Hamas for any attack emanating from the Palestinian enclave. Hazem Qassem, a spokesman for the Islamic militant group, said the Israeli airstrikes 'will not break' Gaza. Early on Friday, Israeli aircraft hit three facilities operated by Hamas in response to the previous rocket attack. The Israeli response came after the military said a projectile fired from the Gaza Strip Thursday evening landed in south of the country. That rocket attacks and Israeli retaliatory raids broke weeks of relative cross-border calm. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel says Palestinian militants fired second rocket from Gaza in 24 hours 

A recently married couple with suspected militant links used pressure cooker bombs to blow themselves up outside a Roman Catholic cathedral during Palm Sunday Mass, Indonesian officials said on Monday.&nbsp;

The attack wounded 20 people, including four church guards, and broke windows at the church and nearby buildings in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province.&nbsp;

The couple were married six months ago and police were investigating their house in Makassar, National Police spokesperson Argo Yuwono said.&nbsp;

Police identified them only by their initials, L and his wife, YSF. Neighbors of the couple identified the man as Lukman and his wife as Dewi and said they were between 23 and 26 years old.&nbsp;

The attackers detonated their bombs when they were confronted by guards outside the church.&nbsp;

The pressure cookers contained explosive materials and nails to increase their harm to victims, said Makassar city police chief Witnu Urip Laksana.&nbsp;

Police carried out DNA tests to determine the attackers' identities, Laksana said.&nbsp;

The couple were believed to have been members of Jemaah Anshorut Daulah, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group and carried out a series of suicide bombings in Indonesia.&nbsp;

They included a 2016 Starbucks attack in Jakarta which killed four civilians and four militants, an attack on a bus terminal in the capital that killed three police officers and an attack on a church in Kalimantan that killed a 2-year-old girl a year later. Several other children suffered serious burns in the Kalimantan attack.&nbsp;

Indonesia's last major militant attack was in May 2018, when two families carried out suicide bombings on churches in Surabaya, killing a dozen people including two young girls whose parents involved them in one of the attacks. Police said the father was the leader of a local affiliate of Jemaah Anshorut Daulah.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

A recently married couple with suspected militant links used pressure cooker bombs to blow themselves up outside a Roman Catholic cathedral during Palm Sunday Mass, Indonesian officials said on Monday.

A recently married couple with suspected militant links used pressure cooker bombs to blow themselves up outside a Roman Catholic cathedral during Palm Sunday Mass, Indonesian officials said on Monday. The attack wounded 20 people, including four church guards, and broke windows at the church and nearby buildings in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province. The couple were married six months ago and police were investigating their house in Makassar, National Police spokesperson Argo Yuwono said. Police identified them only by their initials, L and his wife, YSF. Neighbors of the couple identified the man as Lukman and his wife as Dewi and said they were between 23 and 26 years old. The attackers detonated their bombs when they were confronted by guards outside the church. The pressure cookers contained explosive materials and nails to increase their harm to victims, said Makassar city police chief Witnu Urip Laksana. Police carried out DNA tests to determine the attackers' identities, Laksana said. The couple were believed to have been members of Jemaah Anshorut Daulah, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group and carried out a series of suicide bombings in Indonesia. They included a 2016 Starbucks attack in Jakarta which killed four civilians and four militants, an attack on a bus terminal in the capital that killed three police officers and an attack on a church in Kalimantan that killed a 2-year-old girl a year later. Several other children suffered serious burns in the Kalimantan attack. Indonesia's last major militant attack was in May 2018, when two families carried out suicide bombings on churches in Surabaya, killing a dozen people including two young girls whose parents involved them in one of the attacks. Police said the father was the leader of a local affiliate of Jemaah Anshorut Daulah. (With inputs from agencies)

Newlywed militant suspects blamed in Indonesia church attack  

Indonesian police discovered powerful explosives and arrested more suspected Islamist militants on Monday, after a series of raids following a suicide attack a day earlier outside a cathedral on the first day of the Easter Holy Week.

The two bombers were the only fatalities in Sunday`s attack in the city of Makassar on Sulawesi island, which wounded 19 people and took place as mass was finishing.

Police said the bombers were a married couple who belonged to Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), an Islamic State-inspired group suspected of suicide attacks on churches and a police post that killed at least 30 people in the city of Surabaya in 2018.

National police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo said 13 people in Greater Jakarta, West Nusa Tenggara and Makassar had been arrested since the attack and had different roles in its execution, from making the explosives to detonating them.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesian-president-slams-suicide-attack-at-church-as-an-act-of-terror-373921">Also read |&nbsp;Indonesian president slams suicide attack at church as an 'act of terror'&nbsp;</a>

Listyo said 5.5 kg (12.13 lb) of explosives and several ingredients from the raids, including triacetone triperoxide (TATP), a powerful but unstable mixture often used by Islamist militant groups.

Listyo told a news conference the male bomber wrote a letter to family expressing his intentions to die for his beliefs.

About 20 suspected JAD members were arrested in January, and authorities believe JAD was involved in the twin suicide attack on a Philippine church in 2019 that killed more than 20 people and wounded more than 100.

Makassar, the biggest city on Sulawesi island, reflects the religious makeup of Indonesia, which is the world`s largest Muslim-majority country and has a substantial Christian minority, among other faiths.

Indonesian police discovered powerful explosives and arrested more suspected Islamist militants on Monday, after a series of raids following a suicide attack a day earlier outside a cathedral on the first day of the Easter Holy Week.

Indonesian police discovered powerful explosives and arrested more suspected Islamist militants on Monday, after a series of raids following a suicide attack a day earlier outside a cathedral on the first day of the Easter Holy Week. The two bombers were the only fatalities in Sunday`s attack in the city of Makassar on Sulawesi island, which wounded 19 people and took place as mass was finishing. Police said the bombers were a married couple who belonged to Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), an Islamic State-inspired group suspected of suicide attacks on churches and a police post that killed at least 30 people in the city of Surabaya in 2018. National police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo said 13 people in Greater Jakarta, West Nusa Tenggara and Makassar had been arrested since the attack and had different roles in its execution, from making the explosives to detonating them. Also read | Indonesian president slams suicide attack at church as an 'act of terror' Listyo said 5.5 kg (12.13 lb) of explosives and several ingredients from the raids, including triacetone triperoxide (TATP), a powerful but unstable mixture often used by Islamist militant groups. Listyo told a news conference the male bomber wrote a letter to family expressing his intentions to die for his beliefs. About 20 suspected JAD members were arrested in January, and authorities believe JAD was involved in the twin suicide attack on a Philippine church in 2019 that killed more than 20 people and wounded more than 100. Makassar, the biggest city on Sulawesi island, reflects the religious makeup of Indonesia, which is the world`s largest Muslim-majority country and has a substantial Christian minority, among other faiths.

Indonesia raids find explosives, militant suspects after church attack

The leader of jihadist group Al-Shabaab has called for attacks on "American and French interests" in &nbsp;Djibouti, less than two weeks before the country's presidential election.&nbsp;

In a video released late Saturday, Abou Obaida Ahmad Omar lashed out at Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh, who has been in power since 1999 and is set to win a fifth term in elections on April 9.&nbsp;

The Islamist leader accused Guelleh of turning the Horn of Africa country "into a military base from where every war against the Muslims in East Africa is planned and executed".

"Make American and French interests in Djibouti the highest priority of your targets," he told followers in the video.

Djibouti's strategic location as a gateway to both Africa and the Arabian Peninsula has made it a sought-after destination for foreign military bases.

The former French colony hosts France's largest contingent in Africa -- some 1,500 troops -- as well as the United States' only permanent base, with around 4,000 troops.

Japan and Italy also have a presence in Djibouti, while China has had a port and military base in the country since 2017.

Djibouti is furthermore host to a contingent of African Union troops fighting the al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab in Somalia, where the Islamists have waged a long and violent insurgency seeking to unseat the internationally-backed government.&nbsp;

In 2014 Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a restaurant in Djibouti, killing a Turkish man and injuring around 20 other people, including seven French nationals, six Dutch citizens, four Germans and three Spaniards.&nbsp;

The jihadist group said it had targeted the restaurant because it was popular with "French crusaders and their NATO allies".&nbsp;

French nationals were targeted because of what the group alleged was their government's "complicity in the massacres and persecution of our Muslim brothers in the Central African Republic and for their active role in training and equipping the apostate Djiboutian troops".

The leader of jihadist group Al-Shabaab has called for attacks on "American and French interests" in Djibouti, less than two weeks before the country's presidential election.

The leader of jihadist group Al-Shabaab has called for attacks on "American and French interests" in Djibouti, less than two weeks before the country's presidential election. In a video released late Saturday, Abou Obaida Ahmad Omar lashed out at Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh, who has been in power since 1999 and is set to win a fifth term in elections on April 9. The Islamist leader accused Guelleh of turning the Horn of Africa country "into a military base from where every war against the Muslims in East Africa is planned and executed". "Make American and French interests in Djibouti the highest priority of your targets," he told followers in the video. Djibouti's strategic location as a gateway to both Africa and the Arabian Peninsula has made it a sought-after destination for foreign military bases. The former French colony hosts France's largest contingent in Africa -- some 1,500 troops -- as well as the United States' only permanent base, with around 4,000 troops. Japan and Italy also have a presence in Djibouti, while China has had a port and military base in the country since 2017. Djibouti is furthermore host to a contingent of African Union troops fighting the al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab in Somalia, where the Islamists have waged a long and violent insurgency seeking to unseat the internationally-backed government. In 2014 Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a restaurant in Djibouti, killing a Turkish man and injuring around 20 other people, including seven French nationals, six Dutch citizens, four Germans and three Spaniards. The jihadist group said it had targeted the restaurant because it was popular with "French crusaders and their NATO allies". French nationals were targeted because of what the group alleged was their government's "complicity in the massacres and persecution of our Muslim brothers in the Central African Republic and for their active role in training and equipping the apostate Djiboutian troops".

Al-Shabaab calls for attacks on US, French interests in Djibouti

Children as young as 11 are being beheaded in Mozambique, UK-based aid group Save the Children&nbsp;said on Tuesday, as part of an Islamist insurgency that has killed thousands and forced many more&nbsp;from their homes.&nbsp;

Save the Children&nbsp;said it had spoken to displaced families who described 'horrifying scenes' of murder, including mothers whose young sons were killed. In one case, the woman hid, helpless, with her three other children as her 12-year-old was murdered nearby.&nbsp;

"We tried to escape to the woods, but they took my eldest son and beheaded him," the 28-year-old, who Save the Children&nbsp;called Elsa, was quoted as saying.&nbsp;

"We couldn't do anything because we would be killed too."&nbsp;

Another mother, a 29-year-old Save the Children&nbsp;calls Amelia, said her son was just 11 when he was killed by armed men.&nbsp;

Reporters could not immediately reach Mozambique police or government spokespeople for comment.&nbsp;

Mozambique's northernmost province of Cabo Delgado has since 2017 been home to a festering insurgency, linked to Islamic State, that has escalated dramatically in the past year.&nbsp;

While beheadings have always been a hallmark of the attacks, throughout 2020 the insurgents began regularly engaging the military to capture and hold key towns. Brutality also continued, with mass killings including the murder of around 52 people at once in the village of&nbsp;Xitaxi&nbsp;in April.&nbsp;

Altogether almost 2,700 people on all sides have died in the violence, according to the Armed Conflict Location &amp; Event Data Project (ACLED), a consultancy that tracks political violence. Almost 670,000 people have been displaced,&nbsp;'Save the Children'&nbsp;said.&nbsp;

The United States last week declared the Mozambique group a foreign terrorist&nbsp;organisation&nbsp;over its links to Islamic State, saying the group reportedly pledged allegiance to it as early as 2018. Islamic State claimed its first attack in Cabo Delgado in June 2019.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Children as young as 11 are being beheaded in Mozambique, UK-based aid group Save the Children said on Tuesday, as part of an Islamist insurgency that has killed thousands and forced many more from their homes.

Children as young as 11 are being beheaded in Mozambique, UK-based aid group Save the Children said on Tuesday, as part of an Islamist insurgency that has killed thousands and forced many more from their homes. Save the Children said it had spoken to displaced families who described 'horrifying scenes' of murder, including mothers whose young sons were killed. In one case, the woman hid, helpless, with her three other children as her 12-year-old was murdered nearby. "We tried to escape to the woods, but they took my eldest son and beheaded him," the 28-year-old, who Save the Children called Elsa, was quoted as saying. "We couldn't do anything because we would be killed too." Another mother, a 29-year-old Save the Children calls Amelia, said her son was just 11 when he was killed by armed men. Reporters could not immediately reach Mozambique police or government spokespeople for comment. Mozambique's northernmost province of Cabo Delgado has since 2017 been home to a festering insurgency, linked to Islamic State, that has escalated dramatically in the past year. While beheadings have always been a hallmark of the attacks, throughout 2020 the insurgents began regularly engaging the military to capture and hold key towns. Brutality also continued, with mass killings including the murder of around 52 people at once in the village of Xitaxi in April. Altogether almost 2,700 people on all sides have died in the violence, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a consultancy that tracks political violence. Almost 670,000 people have been displaced, 'Save the Children' said. The United States last week declared the Mozambique group a foreign terrorist organisation over its links to Islamic State, saying the group reportedly pledged allegiance to it as early as 2018. Islamic State claimed its first attack in Cabo Delgado in June 2019. (With inputs from agencies)

Mozambique militants beheading children as young as 11: Save the Children  

Pro-UK paramilitaries say they are abandoning support for Northern Ireland's 1998 peace deal because of a post-Brexit trading pact that has provoked crisis between London and Brussels.

In a letter Wednesday to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the Loyalist Communities Council said it was "hereby withdrawing support for the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and its institutions until our rights under the agreement are restored".&nbsp;

The LCC represents three militant groups that were responsible for many deaths during 30 years of conflict between pro-UK unionists and pro-Irish republicans, before the peace was sealed in 1998.

The council emphasised that unionist opposition to the Brexit deal's Northern Ireland Protocol should remain "peaceful and democratic".&nbsp;

But its announcement offers more evidence that Northern Ireland's delicate balance of peace is being destabilised as a result of Brexit, with unionists furious over new border checks that they say are separating them by stealth from the rest of the UK.

The checks on goods at two ports in Northern Ireland were briefly suspended last month after graffiti appeared threatening staff, and senior police have said there is a "febrile" atmosphere in the province.

The protocol was agreed by London and Brussels to prevent a hard border emerging between Northern Ireland and EU member the Republic of Ireland, a flashpoint in the decades-long sectarian conflict.

- Blame game -

The LCC said it would withhold support for the Good Friday Agreement until the protocol is amended to ensure "unfettered access for goods, services, and citizens throughout the United Kingdom".

"If you or the EU is not prepared to honour the entirety of the agreement then you will be responsible for the permanent destruction of the agreement," it told Johnson.

Tensions surrounding the trading arrangements deepened on Wednesday when Britain unilaterally announced it would extend a post-Brexit grace period, deferring checks on agri-foods entering Northern Ireland from Britain.

The EU said the UK action amounts to a breach of international law, and Irish broadcaster RTE reported the bloc is considering legal action.&nbsp;

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney told RTE that the British move was "deeply unhelpful".&nbsp;

"If the UK simply cannot be trusted because they take unilateral action in an unexpected way without negotiation, well then the British government leaves the EU with no option," Coveney said.

Some supermarket shelves in Northern Ireland went bare in the first weeks of this year, after a post-Brexit transition period ended and Britain definitively left the EU single market on January 1.

The changes have caused widespread confusion among businesses, with some UK suppliers refusing to ship goods across the Irish Sea.

Pro-UK paramilitaries say they are abandoning support for Northern Ireland's 1998 peace deal because of a post-Brexit trading pact that has provoked crisis between London and Brussels.

Pro-UK paramilitaries say they are abandoning support for Northern Ireland's 1998 peace deal because of a post-Brexit trading pact that has provoked crisis between London and Brussels. In a letter Wednesday to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the Loyalist Communities Council said it was "hereby withdrawing support for the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and its institutions until our rights under the agreement are restored". The LCC represents three militant groups that were responsible for many deaths during 30 years of conflict between pro-UK unionists and pro-Irish republicans, before the peace was sealed in 1998. The council emphasised that unionist opposition to the Brexit deal's Northern Ireland Protocol should remain "peaceful and democratic". But its announcement offers more evidence that Northern Ireland's delicate balance of peace is being destabilised as a result of Brexit, with unionists furious over new border checks that they say are separating them by stealth from the rest of the UK. The checks on goods at two ports in Northern Ireland were briefly suspended last month after graffiti appeared threatening staff, and senior police have said there is a "febrile" atmosphere in the province. The protocol was agreed by London and Brussels to prevent a hard border emerging between Northern Ireland and EU member the Republic of Ireland, a flashpoint in the decades-long sectarian conflict. - Blame game - The LCC said it would withhold support for the Good Friday Agreement until the protocol is amended to ensure "unfettered access for goods, services, and citizens throughout the United Kingdom". "If you or the EU is not prepared to honour the entirety of the agreement then you will be responsible for the permanent destruction of the agreement," it told Johnson. Tensions surrounding the trading arrangements deepened on Wednesday when Britain unilaterally announced it would extend a post-Brexit grace period, deferring checks on agri-foods entering Northern Ireland from Britain. The EU said the UK action amounts to a breach of international law, and Irish broadcaster RTE reported the bloc is considering legal action. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney told RTE that the British move was "deeply unhelpful". "If the UK simply cannot be trusted because they take unilateral action in an unexpected way without negotiation, well then the British government leaves the EU with no option," Coveney said. Some supermarket shelves in Northern Ireland went bare in the first weeks of this year, after a post-Brexit transition period ended and Britain definitively left the EU single market on January 1. The changes have caused widespread confusion among businesses, with some UK suppliers refusing to ship goods across the Irish Sea.

Pro-UK militants in N Ireland renounce peace deal after Brexit

A tribunal in Bangladesh has sentenced five members of banned terrorist outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) to death and another person to life term imprisonment in a case filed over the murder of writer and founder of Mukto Mona blog Avijit Roy.

Avijit Roy, a US citizen of Bangladeshi origin, was hacked to death by machete-wielding assailants in February 2015 while returning home with his wife from a Dhaka book fair. His wife and fellow blogger Rafida Ahmed suffered head injuries and lost a finger.

"Charges against them were proved beyond any doubt. The court gave them the highest punishment," public prosecutor Golam Sarwar Khan said after the verdict, amid tight security at the Special Anti-Terrorism Tribunal in the capital, Dhaka.

The court also jailed one man for life in the attack, Khan said.

He said the six men convicted on Tuesday belong to the al Qaeda-inspired domestic militant group Ansar Ullah Bangla Team, which police say was behind the murders of more than a dozen secular activists and bloggers.

Syed Ziaul Haq, a sacked army major believed to be the leader of the group and who masterminded the killing, and one other member of the group were tried in absentia and received death sentences, Khan said.

Nazrul Islam, the defence lawyer for the six men, said they would appeal against the sentences in the higher court.

Muslim-majority Bangladesh saw a string of deadly attacks between 2013 and 2016 targeting bloggers, secular activists and religious minorities, claimed by Islamic State or al Qaeda-aligned groups.

The most serious attack came in July 2016, when gunmen stormed a cafe in the diplomatic quarter of Dhaka and killed 22 people, most of them foreigners.

After the cafe siege, more than 100 suspected militants were killed and hundreds more were arrested as the government cracked down on Islamist groups to preserve its image as a moderate Muslim nation.

(With inputs from agencies)

A tribunal in Bangladesh has sentenced five members of banned terrorist outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) to death and another person to life term imprisonment in a case filed over the murder of writer and founder of Mukto Mona blog Avijit Roy.

A tribunal in Bangladesh has sentenced five members of banned terrorist outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) to death and another person to life term imprisonment in a case filed over the murder of writer and founder of Mukto Mona blog Avijit Roy. Avijit Roy, a US citizen of Bangladeshi origin, was hacked to death by machete-wielding assailants in February 2015 while returning home with his wife from a Dhaka book fair. His wife and fellow blogger Rafida Ahmed suffered head injuries and lost a finger. "Charges against them were proved beyond any doubt. The court gave them the highest punishment," public prosecutor Golam Sarwar Khan said after the verdict, amid tight security at the Special Anti-Terrorism Tribunal in the capital, Dhaka. The court also jailed one man for life in the attack, Khan said. He said the six men convicted on Tuesday belong to the al Qaeda-inspired domestic militant group Ansar Ullah Bangla Team, which police say was behind the murders of more than a dozen secular activists and bloggers. Syed Ziaul Haq, a sacked army major believed to be the leader of the group and who masterminded the killing, and one other member of the group were tried in absentia and received death sentences, Khan said. Nazrul Islam, the defence lawyer for the six men, said they would appeal against the sentences in the higher court. Muslim-majority Bangladesh saw a string of deadly attacks between 2013 and 2016 targeting bloggers, secular activists and religious minorities, claimed by Islamic State or al Qaeda-aligned groups. The most serious attack came in July 2016, when gunmen stormed a cafe in the diplomatic quarter of Dhaka and killed 22 people, most of them foreigners. After the cafe siege, more than 100 suspected militants were killed and hundreds more were arrested as the government cracked down on Islamist groups to preserve its image as a moderate Muslim nation. (With inputs from agencies)

Five ABT terrorists sentenced to death in blogger Avijit Roy murder case in Bangladesh

In a terrorist attack on a security post, four soldiers and as many insurgents were killed in a shootout that ensued the attack in a former Taliban stronghold in a tribal district in northwest Pakistan on Friday.&nbsp;

The attack took place in Makeen area in the South Waziristan district, bordering Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Troops responded promptly to the attack, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Army's media wing.&nbsp;

"At least four soldiers were killed in the attack," it said, adding four attackers were also killed.&nbsp;

Shah Farman, the governor of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, condemned the attack.&nbsp;

No group has claimed responsibility, although Pakistani Taliban have been blamed for such previous violence in the region, where militants have a presence.&nbsp;

South Waziristan had served as a base for al-Qaeda and Taliban militants until recent years when Pakistan claimed that it has destroyed all hideouts of terrorists in the northwestern tribal belt.&nbsp;

According to Pakistan Army, militants hiding across the border occasionally enter into the country and target the security forces in the region.&nbsp;

In a terrorist attack on a security post, four soldiers and as many insurgents were killed in a shootout that ensued the attack in a former Taliban stronghold in a tribal district in northwest Pakistan on Friday.

In a terrorist attack on a security post, four soldiers and as many insurgents were killed in a shootout that ensued the attack in a former Taliban stronghold in a tribal district in northwest Pakistan on Friday. The attack took place in Makeen area in the South Waziristan district, bordering Afghanistan. Troops responded promptly to the attack, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Army's media wing. "At least four soldiers were killed in the attack," it said, adding four attackers were also killed. Shah Farman, the governor of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, condemned the attack. No group has claimed responsibility, although Pakistani Taliban have been blamed for such previous violence in the region, where militants have a presence. South Waziristan had served as a base for al-Qaeda and Taliban militants until recent years when Pakistan claimed that it has destroyed all hideouts of terrorists in the northwestern tribal belt. According to Pakistan Army, militants hiding across the border occasionally enter into the country and target the security forces in the region.

Militants attack security post, kill 4 soldiers in Pakistan

For a very long time, through the second half of the 20th century, as the world shrank, became globalised, and increasingly enlightened in its attitudes, the old prejudices declined. There were even those who bent over backwards to set things right.

Racism, with its horrific history connected with slavery, colonialism, imperialism and the agrarian economy, was not only frowned upon, but there was also legislation against it. Diversity and multi-ethnicity were encouraged in Europe and America and other parts of the First World. Immigration policies, largely based on mandatory Caucasian and Judeo-Christian applicants, became broad-minded. A steady trend began towards ignoring, colour, race, language, religious and cultural differences, even lack of education, in immigration policy. The West was keen to make amends for the sins of the past.&nbsp;

It was thought assimilation into a more prosperous and welcoming environment, often under-populated, offering education, health benefits, other welfare initiatives, jobs, would help it happen automatically. It was, we know now, a romantic notion. Instead, hostile ghettoes of immigrants sprang up with no appreciation for the Western values that had let them in.&nbsp;

It is an understandable mistake because in the past, when down-trodden European, Jewish, some Asian groups, became new citizens, it had worked very well. Many of these sometimes impoverished new entrants are admired for their industry and made rapid strides within a generation. Refugees were accepted as an act of social consciousness and affirmative action against the horrors of war-torn parts of the world.&nbsp; 
 
But of course, this was before immigrants were being radicalised and instigated by their community leaders to take over their host countries. 
 
Other nations, principally functioning democracies, with large minority populations such as India, frowned on religious discrimination as well. They defined their inclusive policies as the very essence of secularism. While this did not always go down well with the majority, public policy saw to it that their views were ignored. 
&nbsp; 
It may even be said to have worked tolerably well at first over nearly five decades. &nbsp;But in the early part of the 21st century, soon after the millennium, this changed. The liberal world, we can see clearly now, came under attack from a shadowy and ideological enemy. The liberals were welcome to provide a shield, but they too were to be pushed aside when the time came.&nbsp; 
 
9/11, in 2001, was an unprecedented terrorist attack on American soil. It was aimed at its thriving commercial heart, located in Manhattan, New York, and its military and political centre in Washington D.C. It claimed more than 3,000 civilian lives, those of some security men and several firemen. The nearest thing in the American experience was the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour that brought America into WWII. &nbsp; 
 
A similar landmark occasion in Mumbai, India, was 26/11, in 2008, which followed on from several earlier bombings in retaliation for the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.&nbsp; 
 
But 26/11 was a stand-alone act of terror sponsored by neighbouring Pakistan. Like 9/11, it was designed to intimidate. It was an unprovoked strike at India that succeeded, unlike a similar attempt made on its parliament and its members in New Delhi subsequently. &nbsp;It was aimed at the commercial capital, targeting an iconic luxury hotel used by foreigners and the Indian elite, its main downtown railway terminus, even its hospitals. The small and floating Jewish presence by way of Mumbai’s Chabad House was also attacked. All the casualties, running into their hundreds, barring some military and police personnel, were civilians, including several foreigners, Europeans and Americans amongst them. 
&nbsp; 
There are many less spectacular occasions of exported terror, mostly connected to Pakistan and its infamous ISI. 
 
These took place both before and after these marquee occasions, around the world. Some involved military and diplomatic installations, others were purely civilian or political targets. 
 
But for a long time, the country most affected was India, followed by Israel. Terrorist attacks were not frequent in Europe, America, Australia or New Zealand. Prime Minister Modi has never made an international speech without highlighting the scourge of international terrorism. He has urged the free world to unite in the necessary fight, and this is gradually gaining momentum now.&nbsp; 
 
The terrorists, on their part, have increasingly picked on non-military soft targets, hoping to provoke a backlash. This would then create a domestic cycle of violence and retaliation and give terror the desired local roots. 
 
By the third decade of the 21st century, it appears that terror has got its wish, even as it has sown the seeds of its ultimate destruction as the world comes together against it. It has indeed struck global roots, with local and homegrown incidents becoming very frequent. &nbsp;Following on from France to Russia, to Canada, India, and so on, terror strikes have happened within just one week of the news cycle.&nbsp; 
 
France under President Macron has decided to push back. The EU has decided to support it. So has India. And Russia, and a slew of other countries such as Saudi Arabia. The Scandinavians are threatening deportation and cancellation of citizenship. India is now formally legislating against the pernicious practice of “love jihad”. &nbsp;America under President Trump, and indeed since 9/11, has been tightening up its immigration and surveillance policies. 
What has changed drastically in recent days however is the liberal stance towards this violence. The old argument that terrorists actually have no religion is not being readily accepted anymore. Being offended over perceived insults and injustices cannot be used as an excuse to unleash murderous violence. Nor can it justify rioting, arson and murder is the prevailing view.&nbsp; 
 
This change in the sympathetic liberal mindset that has given succour to supposedly dispossessed and poor people, is not willing to be taken advantage of any longer. 
 
In India, the minorities are gradually being asked to face up to their responsibilities as Indian citizens instead of overemphasising their rights. It is a big shift from the appeasement policies of the past. But it is by no means an unreasonable demand. There will be no going back. The sponsors of cross-border terrorism and the financing of embedded terror groups in this country are coming under increased pressure. There is a shift in public awareness that makes anti-state and anti-national activity difficult. India is dealing with native minorities, but the world at large is fed up.&nbsp; 
 
Barring a couple of isolated countries which are in deep economic trouble, the support for terrorism is shrinking rapidly. Any escalation of violence will be met with determined resistance. &nbsp;There is no future for terror as a political tool anywhere in the world.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do&nbsp;not represent the views of&nbsp;WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse&nbsp;the views of the writer)

For a very long time, through the second half of the 20th century, as the world shrank, became globalised, and increasingly enlightened in its attitudes, the old prejudices declined.

For a very long time, through the second half of the 20th century, as the world shrank, became globalised, and increasingly enlightened in its attitudes, the old prejudices declined. There were even those who bent over backwards to set things right. Racism, with its horrific history connected with slavery, colonialism, imperialism and the agrarian economy, was not only frowned upon, but there was also legislation against it. Diversity and multi-ethnicity were encouraged in Europe and America and other parts of the First World. Immigration policies, largely based on mandatory Caucasian and Judeo-Christian applicants, became broad-minded. A steady trend began towards ignoring, colour, race, language, religious and cultural differences, even lack of education, in immigration policy. The West was keen to make amends for the sins of the past. It was thought assimilation into a more prosperous and welcoming environment, often under-populated, offering education, health benefits, other welfare initiatives, jobs, would help it happen automatically. It was, we know now, a romantic notion. Instead, hostile ghettoes of immigrants sprang up with no appreciation for the Western values that had let them in. It is an understandable mistake because in the past, when down-trodden European, Jewish, some Asian groups, became new citizens, it had worked very well. Many of these sometimes impoverished new entrants are admired for their industry and made rapid strides within a generation. Refugees were accepted as an act of social consciousness and affirmative action against the horrors of war-torn parts of the world. But of course, this was before immigrants were being radicalised and instigated by their community leaders to take over their host countries. Other nations, principally functioning democracies, with large minority populations such as India, frowned on religious discrimination as well. They defined their inclusive policies as the very essence of secularism. While this did not always go down well with the majority, public policy saw to it that their views were ignored. It may even be said to have worked tolerably well at first over nearly five decades. But in the early part of the 21st century, soon after the millennium, this changed. The liberal world, we can see clearly now, came under attack from a shadowy and ideological enemy. The liberals were welcome to provide a shield, but they too were to be pushed aside when the time came. 9/11, in 2001, was an unprecedented terrorist attack on American soil. It was aimed at its thriving commercial heart, located in Manhattan, New York, and its military and political centre in Washington D.C. It claimed more than 3,000 civilian lives, those of some security men and several firemen. The nearest thing in the American experience was the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour that brought America into WWII. A similar landmark occasion in Mumbai, India, was 26/11, in 2008, which followed on from several earlier bombings in retaliation for the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. But 26/11 was a stand-alone act of terror sponsored by neighbouring Pakistan. Like 9/11, it was designed to intimidate. It was an unprovoked strike at India that succeeded, unlike a similar attempt made on its parliament and its members in New Delhi subsequently. It was aimed at the commercial capital, targeting an iconic luxury hotel used by foreigners and the Indian elite, its main downtown railway terminus, even its hospitals. The small and floating Jewish presence by way of Mumbai’s Chabad House was also attacked. All the casualties, running into their hundreds, barring some military and police personnel, were civilians, including several foreigners, Europeans and Americans amongst them. There are many less spectacular occasions of exported terror, mostly connected to Pakistan and its infamous ISI. These took place both before and after these marquee occasions, around the world. Some involved military and diplomatic installations, others were purely civilian or political targets. But for a long time, the country most affected was India, followed by Israel. Terrorist attacks were not frequent in Europe, America, Australia or New Zealand. Prime Minister Modi has never made an international speech without highlighting the scourge of international terrorism. He has urged the free world to unite in the necessary fight, and this is gradually gaining momentum now. The terrorists, on their part, have increasingly picked on non-military soft targets, hoping to provoke a backlash. This would then create a domestic cycle of violence and retaliation and give terror the desired local roots. By the third decade of the 21st century, it appears that terror has got its wish, even as it has sown the seeds of its ultimate destruction as the world comes together against it. It has indeed struck global roots, with local and homegrown incidents becoming very frequent. Following on from France to Russia, to Canada, India, and so on, terror strikes have happened within just one week of the news cycle. France under President Macron has decided to push back. The EU has decided to support it. So has India. And Russia, and a slew of other countries such as Saudi Arabia. The Scandinavians are threatening deportation and cancellation of citizenship. India is now formally legislating against the pernicious practice of “love jihad”. America under President Trump, and indeed since 9/11, has been tightening up its immigration and surveillance policies. What has changed drastically in recent days however is the liberal stance towards this violence. The old argument that terrorists actually have no religion is not being readily accepted anymore. Being offended over perceived insults and injustices cannot be used as an excuse to unleash murderous violence. Nor can it justify rioting, arson and murder is the prevailing view. This change in the sympathetic liberal mindset that has given succour to supposedly dispossessed and poor people, is not willing to be taken advantage of any longer. In India, the minorities are gradually being asked to face up to their responsibilities as Indian citizens instead of overemphasising their rights. It is a big shift from the appeasement policies of the past. But it is by no means an unreasonable demand. There will be no going back. The sponsors of cross-border terrorism and the financing of embedded terror groups in this country are coming under increased pressure. There is a shift in public awareness that makes anti-state and anti-national activity difficult. India is dealing with native minorities, but the world at large is fed up. Barring a couple of isolated countries which are in deep economic trouble, the support for terrorism is shrinking rapidly. Any escalation of violence will be met with determined resistance. There is no future for terror as a political tool anywhere in the world. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer)

The pushback against terrorism is gaining ground globally

Just 48 hours before the commencement of DDC polls in Jammu and Kashmir, three terrorists&nbsp;travelling in a car attacked Quick Reaction Team (QRT) and killed two Army jawans on Thursday. The incident took place at Parimpora on the outskirts of Srinagar. CCTV footage of the incident is now being analysed by the security forces in order to identify the attackers, Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar said.

The terrorists&nbsp;opened fire on the security forces at Khushipora in the Parimpora area, resulting in injuries to two army personnel. The injured soldiers were rushed to a military facility in the nearby Shariefabad camp where they succumbed.

"Three militants travelling in a car fired indiscriminately at the army men, leaving two of them seriously wounded. Both the injured soldiers have succumbed,"&nbsp;Kumar told reporters near the site of the incident.

The IGP Kashmir said security forces are now chasing the vehicle which was used in the attack.

"It seems the attack was carried out either by Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) or Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) outfit," he said.

"There is movement of LeT and Jaish here and we will identify the group behind the attack by evening. Among the three, two could be FTs (foreign terrorists) from Pakistan and one local. We are analysing the CCTV footage," he said.&nbsp;

(With PTI inputs)

Just 48 hours before the commencement of DDC polls in Jammu and Kashmir, three terrorists travelling in a car attacked Quick Reaction Team (QRT) and killed two Army jawans on Thursday.

Just 48 hours before the commencement of DDC polls in Jammu and Kashmir, three terrorists travelling in a car attacked Quick Reaction Team (QRT) and killed two Army jawans on Thursday. The incident took place at Parimpora on the outskirts of Srinagar. CCTV footage of the incident is now being analysed by the security forces in order to identify the attackers, Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar said. The terrorists opened fire on the security forces at Khushipora in the Parimpora area, resulting in injuries to two army personnel. The injured soldiers were rushed to a military facility in the nearby Shariefabad camp where they succumbed. "Three militants travelling in a car fired indiscriminately at the army men, leaving two of them seriously wounded. Both the injured soldiers have succumbed," Kumar told reporters near the site of the incident. The IGP Kashmir said security forces are now chasing the vehicle which was used in the attack. "It seems the attack was carried out either by Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) or Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) outfit," he said. "There is movement of LeT and Jaish here and we will identify the group behind the attack by evening. Among the three, two could be FTs (foreign terrorists) from Pakistan and one local. We are analysing the CCTV footage," he said. (With PTI inputs)

Jammu and Kashmir: Terrorists kill two armymen

At least seven Afghan army soldiers and three other security personnel of the country's national intelligence agency were <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-3-killed-7-injured-in-explosion-269826">killed</a> on Tuesday after the Taliban insurgents attacked a joint military camp in the northern Balkh province, the defence ministry said. 
 
"At least 7 ANA soldiers were killed &amp; 6 others including 3 NDS employees were wounded in a Taliban attack on a joint ANA/NDS checkpoint early this morning in Dawolat Abad district in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-10-civilians-killed-12-injured-in-two-blast-incidents-268782">Balkh province</a>," Tolo News reported after quoting the ministry. 
 
Further details in the matter are awaited.

At least seven Afghan army soldiers and three other security personnel of the country's national intelligence agency were killed on Tuesday after the Taliban insurgents attacked a joint military camp in the northern Balkh province, the defence ministry said.

At least seven Afghan army soldiers and three other security personnel of the country's national intelligence agency were killed on Tuesday after the Taliban insurgents attacked a joint military camp in the northern Balkh province, the defence ministry said. "At least 7 ANA soldiers were killed & 6 others including 3 NDS employees were wounded in a Taliban attack on a joint ANA/NDS checkpoint early this morning in Dawolat Abad district in Balkh province," Tolo News reported after quoting the ministry. Further details in the matter are awaited.

10 Afghan security force personnel killed in military camp attack

The&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;said their fighters&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-soldier-killed-in-afghanistan-269652">killed a&nbsp;US&nbsp;service&nbsp;member</a>&nbsp;in&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;on Monday and posted photographs of a blood-soaked backpack and the identity card of an American soldier to prove it.

The&nbsp;US&nbsp;Defense Department said Michael Goble, a&nbsp;US&nbsp;Army sergeant from New Jersey, died on Monday from "injuries sustained while his unit was engaged in combat operations" one day earlier in Kunduz province.

The incident was under investigation, the Pentagon said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/shooting-in-the-dark-afghanistans-endless-war-pits-brother-against-brother-267200">Zabihullah Mujahid</a>, a spokesman for the&nbsp;Taliban, said they&nbsp;killed the&nbsp;US&nbsp;force&nbsp;member&nbsp;in a blast in the&nbsp;northern&nbsp;province of Kunduz.

"Our fighters&nbsp;killed a&nbsp;US&nbsp;force&nbsp;member&nbsp;and injured an Afghan commando," Mujahid said in a text message, which included the photographs.

About 20,000 foreign troops, most of them American, are in&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;as part of a&nbsp;US-led <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/blast-at-us-military-base-in-afghanistan-kills-one-injures-60-267640">NATO mission</a> to train, assist and advise Afghan&nbsp;forces. Some&nbsp;US&nbsp;forces carry out counter-terrorism operations against Islamist militant groups.

More than a dozen foreign&nbsp;force&nbsp;members have been&nbsp;killed in&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;in 2019.

The United States has been in negotiations with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/14-taliban-terrorists-killed-in-afghan-airstrike-263184">Taliban&nbsp;militants</a> over the past year on a deal under which the United States could withdraw its&nbsp;forces from its longest war in exchange for&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;security guarantees.

This month,&nbsp;US&nbsp;negotiators said they would take a break from the talks after the insurgents launched a suicide attack on a large&nbsp;US&nbsp;base.

Afghan government&nbsp;forces, supported by the&nbsp;US&nbsp;military, have recently stepped up operations against the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;in Kunduz.

The&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;control more territory than at any point since they were ousted from power in 2001.

The Taliban said their fighters killed a US service member in Afghanistan on Monday and posted photographs of a blood-soaked backpack and the identity card of an American soldier to prove it.

The Taliban said their fighters killed a US service member in Afghanistan on Monday and posted photographs of a blood-soaked backpack and the identity card of an American soldier to prove it. The US Defense Department said Michael Goble, a US Army sergeant from New Jersey, died on Monday from "injuries sustained while his unit was engaged in combat operations" one day earlier in Kunduz province. The incident was under investigation, the Pentagon said. Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban, said they killed the US force member in a blast in the northern province of Kunduz. "Our fighters killed a US force member and injured an Afghan commando," Mujahid said in a text message, which included the photographs. About 20,000 foreign troops, most of them American, are in Afghanistan as part of a US-led NATO mission to train, assist and advise Afghan forces. Some US forces carry out counter-terrorism operations against Islamist militant groups. More than a dozen foreign force members have been killed in Afghanistan in 2019. The United States has been in negotiations with Taliban militants over the past year on a deal under which the United States could withdraw its forces from its longest war in exchange for Taliban security guarantees. This month, US negotiators said they would take a break from the talks after the insurgents launched a suicide attack on a large US base. Afghan government forces, supported by the US military, have recently stepped up operations against the Taliban in Kunduz. The Taliban control more territory than at any point since they were ousted from power in 2001.

Taliban kill US force member in northern Afghanistan

Doda police on Tuesday announced a bounty of Rs 15 lakh on heads of two most wanted militants of district Doda.

Police have asked the general public to provide information to security forces about these militants.

In this regard, two posters have been put up outside SBI main branch and ICICI branch in Doda town and these posters have become the talk of the town.

The two militants are -- Haroon Abbas Wani, an MBA-turned militant from Ghat village who had joined the militant ranks in September 2018, and Masood Ahmad from Manjmi area, who had joined militant ranks in June this year.

"Putting up of posters is part of the operation and since these militants have joined militant ranks, the process of getting hold of them or eliminating them has started," said a police officer.

A source said that it is for the first time that police has announced a bounty on the head of these militants.

The Doda district was declared free of militancy in 2011 but after that, last year Haroon joined the militant ranks. It has been more than a year since he became active. Security forces believe that Haroon is trying to recruit more youth into militant ranks and security forces want to stop it.&nbsp;

Doda police on Tuesday announced a bounty of Rs 15 lakh on heads of two most wanted militants of district Doda. Police have asked the general public to provide information to security forces about these militants.

Doda police on Tuesday announced a bounty of Rs 15 lakh on heads of two most wanted militants of district Doda. Police have asked the general public to provide information to security forces about these militants. In this regard, two posters have been put up outside SBI main branch and ICICI branch in Doda town and these posters have become the talk of the town. The two militants are -- Haroon Abbas Wani, an MBA-turned militant from Ghat village who had joined the militant ranks in September 2018, and Masood Ahmad from Manjmi area, who had joined militant ranks in June this year. "Putting up of posters is part of the operation and since these militants have joined militant ranks, the process of getting hold of them or eliminating them has started," said a police officer. A source said that it is for the first time that police has announced a bounty on the head of these militants. The Doda district was declared free of militancy in 2011 but after that, last year Haroon joined the militant ranks. It has been more than a year since he became active. Security forces believe that Haroon is trying to recruit more youth into militant ranks and security forces want to stop it.

J&K: Doda Police announces bounty of Rs 15 lakh on heads of two most wanted militants

At least 7 people were injured in a grenade attack by suspected militants in a market area in Srinagar on Saturday.

Grenade blast near Srinagar's Lal Chowk, 7 Injured

The Afghan Taliban on Monday confirmed that it has freed at least three Indians it took as a hostage in exchange for the release of its 11 Taliban members, including important leaders.&nbsp;

The engineers, working at a power station, were abducted by the Taliban in May last year.

They were part of a group of seven people who had been abducted from a village located in the northern Baghlan Province of Afghanistan.

The prisoner swap was done in the early hours of Sunday at an undisclosed location.

This prisoner exchange comes after a meeting between US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban leaders.

The United States and the Taliban — which returned to the negotiating table for talks hosted by Pakistan — had agreed to swap prisoners.

The freed Afghan Taliban includes prominent leaders like Sheikh Abdul Rahim and Maulvi Abdur Rashid.

India's foreign ministry had earlier thanked the Afghan government for the release and repatriation of the Indian nationals.

Apart from the three Indians, one Australian and one US citizen will also be released.

The Afghan Taliban on Monday confirmed that it has freed at least three Indians it took as a hostage in exchange for the release of its 11 Taliban members, including important leaders.

The Afghan Taliban on Monday confirmed that it has freed at least three Indians it took as a hostage in exchange for the release of its 11 Taliban members, including important leaders. The engineers, working at a power station, were abducted by the Taliban in May last year. They were part of a group of seven people who had been abducted from a village located in the northern Baghlan Province of Afghanistan. The prisoner swap was done in the early hours of Sunday at an undisclosed location. This prisoner exchange comes after a meeting between US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban leaders. The United States and the Taliban — which returned to the negotiating table for talks hosted by Pakistan — had agreed to swap prisoners. The freed Afghan Taliban includes prominent leaders like Sheikh Abdul Rahim and Maulvi Abdur Rashid. India's foreign ministry had earlier thanked the Afghan government for the release and repatriation of the Indian nationals. Apart from the three Indians, one Australian and one US citizen will also be released.

Afghan Taliban frees 3 Indian hostages in exchange for 11 militants

Turkey`s Defence Ministry said on Saturday it had "neutralised" 34 Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants in northern Iraq in air strikes on July 17-19.

Sixteen militants were "neutralised" in airstrikes on northern Iraq`s Qandil region on July 17, and 18 in airstrikes on the Karacak region on July 19, it said. The ministry commonly uses the term "neutralised" to refer to those killed but it can also refer to those wounded or captured.

The PKK, considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States and European Union, has waged an insurgency for autonomy in Turkey`s largely Kurdish southeast since 1984. It has fighters based in northern Iraq, mainly in the Qandil region.

The Defence Ministry said it had "neutralised" a total of 255 PKK militants in operations in northern Iraq since May 27, when Ankara launched an offensive there against the PKK.

Turkey frequently launches airstrikes in the region but the latest campaign, dubbed "Operation Claw", has included artillery fire and ground operations.&nbsp;

Turkey`s Defence Ministry said on Saturday it had "neutralised" 34 Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants in northern Iraq in air strikes on July 17-19. Sixteen militants were "neutralised" in airstrikes on northern Iraq`s Qandil region on July 17, and 18 in airstrikes on the Karacak region on July 19, it said.

Turkey`s Defence Ministry said on Saturday it had "neutralised" 34 Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants in northern Iraq in air strikes on July 17-19. Sixteen militants were "neutralised" in airstrikes on northern Iraq`s Qandil region on July 17, and 18 in airstrikes on the Karacak region on July 19, it said. The ministry commonly uses the term "neutralised" to refer to those killed but it can also refer to those wounded or captured. The PKK, considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States and European Union, has waged an insurgency for autonomy in Turkey`s largely Kurdish southeast since 1984. It has fighters based in northern Iraq, mainly in the Qandil region. The Defence Ministry said it had "neutralised" a total of 255 PKK militants in operations in northern Iraq since May 27, when Ankara launched an offensive there against the PKK. Turkey frequently launches airstrikes in the region but the latest campaign, dubbed "Operation Claw", has included artillery fire and ground operations.

Turkey says it 'neutralised' 34 PKK militants in air strikes on July 17-19

Afghan government forces mistakenly killed seven civilians, including children, in an attack on militants south of the capital, a provincial official said on Monday, the latest victims of a war undiminished by peace talks.

Government forces, have been facing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/wion-edit-taliban-us-violence-for-upper-hand-in-afghan-deal-237189">Taliban</a> attacks across much of the country, and have responded with airstrikes aimed at killing insurgent leaders, even as US and Afghan representatives have been negotiating with the militants in Qatar.

The seven civilians, including women and children, were killed in Logar province, just south of Kabul, on Sunday night said Hasib Stanekzai, a member of Logar's provincial council. Six people were wounded, he said.

Provincial police confirmed the attack on militants by government forces but said they were investigating the casualties.

"According to our initial information a number of militants were killed or wounded, but local people gathered in the area, claiming that a house belonging to a Kuchi family had been bombed, causing civilian casualties," said Shahpor Ahmadzai, a spokesman for Logar police.

Kuchi is nomadic herders, but some now live in permanent settlements.

Ahmadzai, who said police were investigating, also said foreign force was involved in the attack on the militants. Officials with Afghanistan's NATO force were not immediately available to confirm or deny their involvement in the operation.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-has-no-military-solution-says-pakistan-prime-minister-imran-khan-in-us-diaspora-address-237567&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjKiM2hvsjjAhUIPo8KHbTxBNIQFjAAegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw13XcLzzXPbUvinqsOphqlU">Afghan forces</a>, backed by US advisers, have in recent months stepped up their airstrikes and raids to the highest levels since 2014.

The latest phase of Afghanistan's war - which began when US-backed forces overthrew the Taliban following September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States - has intensified despite the most sustained peace talks of the war.

The United Nations has repeatedly expressed concern about civilian casualties, which reached their highest level last year since detailed accounting began nearly a decade ago.

The war claimed 3,804 civilian lives in 2018, that included 927 children, both figures all-time highs, representing an 11% increase in civilian deaths compared with 2017, UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said in February.

Afghan government forces mistakenly killed seven civilians, including children, in an attack on militants south of the capital, a provincial official said on Monday, the latest victims of a war undiminished by peace talks.

Afghan government forces mistakenly killed seven civilians, including children, in an attack on militants south of the capital, a provincial official said on Monday, the latest victims of a war undiminished by peace talks. Government forces, have been facing Taliban attacks across much of the country, and have responded with airstrikes aimed at killing insurgent leaders, even as US and Afghan representatives have been negotiating with the militants in Qatar. The seven civilians, including women and children, were killed in Logar province, just south of Kabul, on Sunday night said Hasib Stanekzai, a member of Logar's provincial council. Six people were wounded, he said. Provincial police confirmed the attack on militants by government forces but said they were investigating the casualties. "According to our initial information a number of militants were killed or wounded, but local people gathered in the area, claiming that a house belonging to a Kuchi family had been bombed, causing civilian casualties," said Shahpor Ahmadzai, a spokesman for Logar police. Kuchi is nomadic herders, but some now live in permanent settlements. Ahmadzai, who said police were investigating, also said foreign force was involved in the attack on the militants. Officials with Afghanistan's NATO force were not immediately available to confirm or deny their involvement in the operation. Afghan forces, backed by US advisers, have in recent months stepped up their airstrikes and raids to the highest levels since 2014. The latest phase of Afghanistan's war - which began when US-backed forces overthrew the Taliban following September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States - has intensified despite the most sustained peace talks of the war. The United Nations has repeatedly expressed concern about civilian casualties, which reached their highest level last year since detailed accounting began nearly a decade ago. The war claimed 3,804 civilian lives in 2018, that included 927 children, both figures all-time highs, representing an 11% increase in civilian deaths compared with 2017, UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said in February.

Afghan forces kill seven civilians in attack on militants

Iraqi PM orders Iran-allied militias to be reined in. Decree aimed at curbing autonomy of shi'ite militants. This is the move to fully integrate militias into Iraqi forces. Local militias have time till 31 July to be integrated. Watch this video to know more.

Iraq Alarmed By Iran Uranium Enrichment

Rocked by militant attacks in the recent past, Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district is updating the list of ultras whose whereabouts are not known and those who are presently in Pakistan or Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), police said on Friday.&nbsp;

The decision in this regard was taken at a crime review meeting of police subdivisions of Kishtwar and Atholi, chaired by Senior Superintendent of Police, Kishtwar, Shakti K Pathak, they said.&nbsp;

It said the meeting held a threadbare discussion on the police station wise list of militants whose whereabouts are not known and those who are presently in Pakistan or Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).&nbsp;

"During the meeting, variation was found in the list of such militants maintained by the District Police Office (DPO), Kishtwar, and police stations of the district. In order to update the list of such militants, various instructions and directions were imparted among the Sub-Divisional Police Officers and Station House Officers concerned for necessary action," the police said.

The district, which falls in Jammu region, was rattled by the killing of state secretary of BJP Anil Parihar and his brother Ajeet Parihar on November 1 last year, followed by the assassination of senior RSS leader Chanderkant Sharma and his security guard inside a health centre on April 9.

Besides the killings, militants also snatched the service rifle of a policeman in the district on March 8, days before police circulated pictures of seven wanted terrorists and announced a cash reward and a job for anyone providing information leading to their arrest or killing. Inspector General of Police, Jammu, M K Sinha recently said at least 10 local militants -- eight belonging to Hizbul Mujahideen and two affiliated with Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) -- were active in the district, which also witnessed two encounters between militants and search parties in Marwah area on May 31 and Keshwan forest on June 21

While two special police officers were injured in the brief Marwah gunfight, the militants managed their escape after another brief encounter in Keshwan forest, though one of them was believed to have got injured.&nbsp;

According to police sources, about three dozen local militants have crossed the LoC and are presently living in Pakistan or Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The police said the meeting discussed all sensitive and sensational cases with SSP personally checking the case files of such cases and directed the Investigation Officers concerned for speedy disposal of these cases.&nbsp;

"The investigating staff was directed to conduct the investigation of cases with zeal, dedication and with transparency at the earliest and bring the pendency to the minimum," the police said, adding the police station staff was also advised to conduct foot patrolling in their respective jurisdictions.

The meeting also discussed the measures to improve the quality of investigation of accident cases, motor vehicle theft, burglary, NDPS Act and other cases.

Besides, missing persons, inquest proceedings, the arrest of absconders and action taken under preventive measures were also reviewed, the police said, adding the issue of public complaints pending with police sub-division were also discussed.

Meanwhile, the SSP Kishtwar advised the police officers posted in the district in various capacities to provide an honest, clean and fair policing to the general masses.&nbsp;

He directed that there is zero tolerance to corruption, crime and indiscipline at any level.

Rocked by militant attacks in the recent past, Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district is updating the list of ultras whose whereabouts are not known and those who are presently in Pakistan or Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), police said on Friday.

Rocked by militant attacks in the recent past, Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district is updating the list of ultras whose whereabouts are not known and those who are presently in Pakistan or Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), police said on Friday. The decision in this regard was taken at a crime review meeting of police subdivisions of Kishtwar and Atholi, chaired by Senior Superintendent of Police, Kishtwar, Shakti K Pathak, they said. It said the meeting held a threadbare discussion on the police station wise list of militants whose whereabouts are not known and those who are presently in Pakistan or Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). "During the meeting, variation was found in the list of such militants maintained by the District Police Office (DPO), Kishtwar, and police stations of the district. In order to update the list of such militants, various instructions and directions were imparted among the Sub-Divisional Police Officers and Station House Officers concerned for necessary action," the police said. The district, which falls in Jammu region, was rattled by the killing of state secretary of BJP Anil Parihar and his brother Ajeet Parihar on November 1 last year, followed by the assassination of senior RSS leader Chanderkant Sharma and his security guard inside a health centre on April 9. Besides the killings, militants also snatched the service rifle of a policeman in the district on March 8, days before police circulated pictures of seven wanted terrorists and announced a cash reward and a job for anyone providing information leading to their arrest or killing. Inspector General of Police, Jammu, M K Sinha recently said at least 10 local militants -- eight belonging to Hizbul Mujahideen and two affiliated with Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) -- were active in the district, which also witnessed two encounters between militants and search parties in Marwah area on May 31 and Keshwan forest on June 21 While two special police officers were injured in the brief Marwah gunfight, the militants managed their escape after another brief encounter in Keshwan forest, though one of them was believed to have got injured. According to police sources, about three dozen local militants have crossed the LoC and are presently living in Pakistan or Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The police said the meeting discussed all sensitive and sensational cases with SSP personally checking the case files of such cases and directed the Investigation Officers concerned for speedy disposal of these cases. "The investigating staff was directed to conduct the investigation of cases with zeal, dedication and with transparency at the earliest and bring the pendency to the minimum," the police said, adding the police station staff was also advised to conduct foot patrolling in their respective jurisdictions. The meeting also discussed the measures to improve the quality of investigation of accident cases, motor vehicle theft, burglary, NDPS Act and other cases. Besides, missing persons, inquest proceedings, the arrest of absconders and action taken under preventive measures were also reviewed, the police said, adding the issue of public complaints pending with police sub-division were also discussed. Meanwhile, the SSP Kishtwar advised the police officers posted in the district in various capacities to provide an honest, clean and fair policing to the general masses. He directed that there is zero tolerance to corruption, crime and indiscipline at any level.

List of active terrorists and those present across LoC being updated

The incident comes in less than 24 hours after an Army Major and a militant were killed, while another officer and two troopers were injured in an encounter between security forces and the ultras in Anantnag district.

J&K: Militants, security forces locked in encounter in Anantnag district

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/joint-india-myanmar-operation-target-rohingya-insurgent-group-and-naga-terror-group-203499">armies of India and Myanmar</a> carried out a three-week-long coordinated operation from May 16 in their respective border areas, targeting several terrorist&nbsp;groups operating in Manipur, Nagaland and Assam, defence sources said on Sunday.

The first phase of "Operation Sunrise" was conducted three months ago along the Indo-Myanmar border, during which a number of camps of north-east-based terrorist&nbsp;groups were busted.

Myanmar is one of the strategic neighbours of India and shares a 1,640-km border with a number of north-eastern states, including the terrorism-hit Nagaland and Manipur.

India has been pushing for deeper coordination between the armies of the two countries while guarding the border.

Sources said during "Operation Sunrise 2", the armies coordinated with each other to bust camps of terrorist&nbsp;outfits, including the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), the NSCN (Khaplang), the United Liberation Front of Assam (I) and the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB).

They said at least six dozen terrorists belonging to these groups were nabbed and several of their camps destroyed during the operation.

The sources said the two sides might launch the third phase of the operation, depending on intelligence inputs and the ground situation.

Besides the Indian Army, troops from the Assam Rifles were also part of the operation.

In June 2015, the Indian Army had carried out an operation against NSCN(K) terrorists in areas near the Indo-Myanmar border, days after militants killed 18 army men in Manipur.

In the first phase of "Operation Sunrise", the Indian Army targeted members of the Arakan Army, an insurgent group in Myanmar, who were opposed to the Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project.

The Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project is viewed as India's gateway to Southeast Asia.

India entered into a framework agreement with Myanmar in April 2008 to facilitate the implementation of the project. On completion, the project will help connect the north-eastern state of Mizoram with the Sittwe Port in Myanmar's Rakhine state.

On the Indian side, work is on to extend the Aizawl-Saiha National Highway by 90 km to the international border at Zorinpui.

According to security agencies, there were over 50 camps of insurgent groups from the north-east in Myanmar till last year.

The armies of India and Myanmar carried out a three-week-long coordinated operation from May 16 in their respective border areas, targeting several terrorist groups operating in Manipur, Nagaland and Assam, defence sources said on Sunday.

The armies of India and Myanmar carried out a three-week-long coordinated operation from May 16 in their respective border areas, targeting several terrorist groups operating in Manipur, Nagaland and Assam, defence sources said on Sunday. The first phase of "Operation Sunrise" was conducted three months ago along the Indo-Myanmar border, during which a number of camps of north-east-based terrorist groups were busted. Myanmar is one of the strategic neighbours of India and shares a 1,640-km border with a number of north-eastern states, including the terrorism-hit Nagaland and Manipur. India has been pushing for deeper coordination between the armies of the two countries while guarding the border. Sources said during "Operation Sunrise 2", the armies coordinated with each other to bust camps of terrorist outfits, including the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), the NSCN (Khaplang), the United Liberation Front of Assam (I) and the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB). They said at least six dozen terrorists belonging to these groups were nabbed and several of their camps destroyed during the operation. The sources said the two sides might launch the third phase of the operation, depending on intelligence inputs and the ground situation. Besides the Indian Army, troops from the Assam Rifles were also part of the operation. In June 2015, the Indian Army had carried out an operation against NSCN(K) terrorists in areas near the Indo-Myanmar border, days after militants killed 18 army men in Manipur. In the first phase of "Operation Sunrise", the Indian Army targeted members of the Arakan Army, an insurgent group in Myanmar, who were opposed to the Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project. The Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project is viewed as India's gateway to Southeast Asia. India entered into a framework agreement with Myanmar in April 2008 to facilitate the implementation of the project. On completion, the project will help connect the north-eastern state of Mizoram with the Sittwe Port in Myanmar's Rakhine state. On the Indian side, work is on to extend the Aizawl-Saiha National Highway by 90 km to the international border at Zorinpui. According to security agencies, there were over 50 camps of insurgent groups from the north-east in Myanmar till last year.

Indian-Myanmar army target North-East based terrorists in collaborated operation

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