Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday hit out at the Congress saying that the party had not taken any action against terrorists during their regime and asserted that Prime Minister ordered a surgical strike against terrorists after the Pulwama attack.&nbsp;

"During Congress time, Mauni Baba (Manmohan Singh) was our prime minister. That time terrorists used to enter the country and kill our soldiers. After Pulwama attack, Narendra Modi took action in 10 days by doing strike on terrorists based in Pakistan. He ensured that the country is safe," he said at an event here.

On February 26 this year, IAF fighters flew deep into Pakistan to bomb the JeM facility at Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The action came after the February 14 suicide bombing in Jammu and Kashmir`s Pulwama, which killed over 40 CRPF personnel.&nbsp;

Highlighting several `positive` changes in the country, Shah that the BJP-led government abolished Article 370 which opened the doors of development for Jammu and Kashmir.

"We made positive changes in many parts of country. We abolished article 370 and 35 A and made Kashmir part of India. Doors for development in Kashmir has now opened," he said.&nbsp;

"Congress MPs in Parliament said blood rivers will flow in Kashmir as this Article (370) was abolished but nothing happened. Without firing any bullet there is peace in Kashmir. No bullet has been fired till now," the Home Minister added.&nbsp;

In August this year, the Central government revoked Article 370 which gave special provisions to Jammu and Kashmir and also bifurcated the state into two union territories.&nbsp;

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday hit out at the Congress saying that the party had not taken any action against terrorists during their regime and asserted that Prime Minister ordered a surgical strike against terrorists after the Pulwama attack.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday hit out at the Congress saying that the party had not taken any action against terrorists during their regime and asserted that Prime Minister ordered a surgical strike against terrorists after the Pulwama attack. "During Congress time, Mauni Baba (Manmohan Singh) was our prime minister. That time terrorists used to enter the country and kill our soldiers. After Pulwama attack, Narendra Modi took action in 10 days by doing strike on terrorists based in Pakistan. He ensured that the country is safe," he said at an event here. On February 26 this year, IAF fighters flew deep into Pakistan to bomb the JeM facility at Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The action came after the February 14 suicide bombing in Jammu and Kashmir`s Pulwama, which killed over 40 CRPF personnel. Highlighting several `positive` changes in the country, Shah that the BJP-led government abolished Article 370 which opened the doors of development for Jammu and Kashmir. "We made positive changes in many parts of country. We abolished article 370 and 35 A and made Kashmir part of India. Doors for development in Kashmir has now opened," he said. "Congress MPs in Parliament said blood rivers will flow in Kashmir as this Article (370) was abolished but nothing happened. Without firing any bullet there is peace in Kashmir. No bullet has been fired till now," the Home Minister added. In August this year, the Central government revoked Article 370 which gave special provisions to Jammu and Kashmir and also bifurcated the state into two union territories.

Amit Shah attacks Congress over inaction against terrorism, says PM Modi ensured India is safe

Three people died in a fire in a supermarket being ransacked in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chiles-capital-stunned-by-violent-street-protests-256962">Chilean capital early Sunday</a>, as protests sparked by anger over social and economic conditions rocked one of Latin America's most stable countries.

Santiago's Mayor Karla Rubilar told reporters two people burned to death in the blaze and another later died in hospital, after the huge store controlled by US retail chain Walmart was looted.

They were the first deaths in two days of violent unrest in which protesters have set buses on fire, burned metro stations and clashed with riot police in the city of seven million, despite a curfew starting at 0100 GMT Sunday.

The protests were triggered by an unpopular hike in metro fares, which President Sebastian Pinera announced Saturday he was suspending.

He appealed to people taking to the streets, saying "there are good reasons to do so," but calling on them "to demonstrate peacefully" and saying "nobody has the right to act with brutal criminal violence."

But clashes later erupted in Plaza Italia, ground zero of Friday's violence, and outside the presidential palace.&nbsp;

Protesters again set buses on fire in downtown Santiago, leading to the suspension of services.

"We're sick and tired, enough already. We're tired of them screwing around with us. Politicians only do what they want to do, and turn their backs on all reality," said Javiera Alarcon, a 29-year-old sociologist protesting in front of the presidential palace, which was surrounded by police and military vehicles.

AFP video showed security forces blasting a crowd with water cannon, and riot police wrestling young protesters into vans.

"Having analyzed the situation and the appalling actions that occurred today, I have made the decision to suspend freedoms and movement through a total curfew," said Army General Javier Iturriaga, who is overseeing security during the state of emergency.

Later on Saturday, the mayors of Valparaiso region and Concepcion province also announced states of emergency.

Dozens of protesters torched a building belonging to Chile's oldest newspaper El Mercurio in Valparaiso city on Saturday evening, while elsewhere in the port city a metro station, supermarkets and other stores were burned.

#ChileDesperto

The unrest was sparked by a hike in metro fares, which increased from 800 to 830 peso ($1.13 to $1.17) for peak-hour travel, after a 20-peso hike in January.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chile-president-declares-state-of-emergency-after-violent-protests-256846">Pinera announced Saturday he was suspending the fare hike</a>, after the entire metro system was shut down the day prior with protesters burning and vandalising dozens of stations, leaving some completely charred.

The Santiago Metro, at 140 kilometres, is the largest and most modern in South America and a source of great pride for Chileans.

People awoke Saturday to a ravaged city as burned-out buses, bikes and garbage littered streets patrolled by soldiers, the first such deployment since Chile returned to democracy in 1990 after the rightwing Augusto Pinochet dictatorship.&nbsp;

Demonstrators shouted "enough with abuse," while the hashtag #ChileDesperto, Chile awake, made the rounds on social media.&nbsp;

Pinera's conservative government has been caught flat-footed by the worst social upheaval in decades.&nbsp;

It declared the state of emergency late Friday and ordered hundreds of troops into the streets.

People were infuriated by a photo of Pinera eating pizza in a restaurant with his family while the city burned.

Throughout Friday, rampaging protesters clashed with riot police in several parts of the capital while the headquarters of the ENEL Chile power company and a Banco Chile branch, both in the city centre, were set on fire and heavily damaged.

The state of emergency is initially set for 15 days and restricts freedom of movement and assembly.&nbsp;

Government 'perplexed and dazed'

The unrest started as a fare-dodging protest mainly by students against the hike in metro ticket prices, blamed on rising oil prices and a weaker peso.

There had been several fare-dodging actions in recent days, organized on social media, but the protests escalated Friday, tapping into general discontent among many Chileans.

Chile has the highest per capita income of Latin America at $20,000, with expected economic growth this year of 2.5 per cent and just two per cent inflation.

But there is an undercurrent of frustration with rising health care and utility costs, low pensions and social inequality.

The metro fare hike served to wake up a society that was averse to violence after the horrors of the Pinochet dictatorship from 1973-1990, which left more than 3,200 people dead or missing, sociologists say.

Three people died in a fire in a supermarket being ransacked in the Chilean capital early Sunday, as protests sparked by anger over social and economic conditions rocked one of Latin America's most stable countries.

Three people died in a fire in a supermarket being ransacked in the Chilean capital early Sunday, as protests sparked by anger over social and economic conditions rocked one of Latin America's most stable countries. Santiago's Mayor Karla Rubilar told reporters two people burned to death in the blaze and another later died in hospital, after the huge store controlled by US retail chain Walmart was looted. They were the first deaths in two days of violent unrest in which protesters have set buses on fire, burned metro stations and clashed with riot police in the city of seven million, despite a curfew starting at 0100 GMT Sunday. The protests were triggered by an unpopular hike in metro fares, which President Sebastian Pinera announced Saturday he was suspending. He appealed to people taking to the streets, saying "there are good reasons to do so," but calling on them "to demonstrate peacefully" and saying "nobody has the right to act with brutal criminal violence." But clashes later erupted in Plaza Italia, ground zero of Friday's violence, and outside the presidential palace. Protesters again set buses on fire in downtown Santiago, leading to the suspension of services. "We're sick and tired, enough already. We're tired of them screwing around with us. Politicians only do what they want to do, and turn their backs on all reality," said Javiera Alarcon, a 29-year-old sociologist protesting in front of the presidential palace, which was surrounded by police and military vehicles. AFP video showed security forces blasting a crowd with water cannon, and riot police wrestling young protesters into vans. "Having analyzed the situation and the appalling actions that occurred today, I have made the decision to suspend freedoms and movement through a total curfew," said Army General Javier Iturriaga, who is overseeing security during the state of emergency. Later on Saturday, the mayors of Valparaiso region and Concepcion province also announced states of emergency. Dozens of protesters torched a building belonging to Chile's oldest newspaper El Mercurio in Valparaiso city on Saturday evening, while elsewhere in the port city a metro station, supermarkets and other stores were burned. #ChileDesperto The unrest was sparked by a hike in metro fares, which increased from 800 to 830 peso ($1.13 to $1.17) for peak-hour travel, after a 20-peso hike in January. Pinera announced Saturday he was suspending the fare hike, after the entire metro system was shut down the day prior with protesters burning and vandalising dozens of stations, leaving some completely charred. The Santiago Metro, at 140 kilometres, is the largest and most modern in South America and a source of great pride for Chileans. People awoke Saturday to a ravaged city as burned-out buses, bikes and garbage littered streets patrolled by soldiers, the first such deployment since Chile returned to democracy in 1990 after the rightwing Augusto Pinochet dictatorship. Demonstrators shouted "enough with abuse," while the hashtag #ChileDesperto, Chile awake, made the rounds on social media. Pinera's conservative government has been caught flat-footed by the worst social upheaval in decades. It declared the state of emergency late Friday and ordered hundreds of troops into the streets. People were infuriated by a photo of Pinera eating pizza in a restaurant with his family while the city burned. Throughout Friday, rampaging protesters clashed with riot police in several parts of the capital while the headquarters of the ENEL Chile power company and a Banco Chile branch, both in the city centre, were set on fire and heavily damaged. The state of emergency is initially set for 15 days and restricts freedom of movement and assembly. Government 'perplexed and dazed' The unrest started as a fare-dodging protest mainly by students against the hike in metro ticket prices, blamed on rising oil prices and a weaker peso. There had been several fare-dodging actions in recent days, organized on social media, but the protests escalated Friday, tapping into general discontent among many Chileans. Chile has the highest per capita income of Latin America at $20,000, with expected economic growth this year of 2.5 per cent and just two per cent inflation. But there is an undercurrent of frustration with rising health care and utility costs, low pensions and social inequality. The metro fare hike served to wake up a society that was averse to violence after the horrors of the Pinochet dictatorship from 1973-1990, which left more than 3,200 people dead or missing, sociologists say.

Three dead in Chile protest violence

At least four people were killed and nearly 50 injured Sunday after police fired on thousands of Bangladeshi Muslims protesting a Facebook post by a Hindu who allegedly defamed the Prophet Mohammed, officials said.

Mob attacks over Facebook posts perceived to be blasphemous have emerged as a major headache for security forces in Bangladesh, where Muslims make up some 90 per cent of the country's 168 million people.

Some 20,000 Muslims demonstrated at a prayer ground in Borhanuddin town on the country's largest island of Bhola to call for the execution of the young Hindu man, who was arrested Saturday over charges of inciting religious tension.

Police said they opened fire in self-defence after some of the crowd threw rocks at their officers.

"At least four people were killed and up to 50 people were injured," police inspector Salahuddin Mia told AFP.

He said extra police and border guards were being deployed in the town.

The death toll is expected to rise, with Bhola Sadar Hospital duty doctor Tayebur Rahman telling AFP at least seven of the 43 people taken to hospital were fighting for their lives.

"We have sent the critically injured people to the regional hospital in Barisal (city). Their conditions are not stable," he said.

In 2016, angry Muslims attacked Hindu temples in an eastern town over a Facebook post was put up allegedly mocking one of Islam's holiest sites.

In 2012, Muslim mobs torched Buddhist monasteries, houses and shops in the coastal Cox's Bazar district following a Buddhist youth's alleged defamatory photo post of the Koran.

Bangladesh has also experienced a number of attacks on people from religious minorities, secular bloggers, publishers, writers and foreigners, many claimed by Islamist militants.

At least four people were killed and nearly 50 injured Sunday after police fired on thousands of Bangladeshi Muslims protesting a Facebook post by a Hindu who allegedly defamed the Prophet Mohammed, officials said.

At least four people were killed and nearly 50 injured Sunday after police fired on thousands of Bangladeshi Muslims protesting a Facebook post by a Hindu who allegedly defamed the Prophet Mohammed, officials said. Mob attacks over Facebook posts perceived to be blasphemous have emerged as a major headache for security forces in Bangladesh, where Muslims make up some 90 per cent of the country's 168 million people. Some 20,000 Muslims demonstrated at a prayer ground in Borhanuddin town on the country's largest island of Bhola to call for the execution of the young Hindu man, who was arrested Saturday over charges of inciting religious tension. Police said they opened fire in self-defence after some of the crowd threw rocks at their officers. "At least four people were killed and up to 50 people were injured," police inspector Salahuddin Mia told AFP. He said extra police and border guards were being deployed in the town. The death toll is expected to rise, with Bhola Sadar Hospital duty doctor Tayebur Rahman telling AFP at least seven of the 43 people taken to hospital were fighting for their lives. "We have sent the critically injured people to the regional hospital in Barisal (city). Their conditions are not stable," he said. In 2016, angry Muslims attacked Hindu temples in an eastern town over a Facebook post was put up allegedly mocking one of Islam's holiest sites. In 2012, Muslim mobs torched Buddhist monasteries, houses and shops in the coastal Cox's Bazar district following a Buddhist youth's alleged defamatory photo post of the Koran. Bangladesh has also experienced a number of attacks on people from religious minorities, secular bloggers, publishers, writers and foreigners, many claimed by Islamist militants.

Four killed and 50 injured as police fire on Bangladesh protesters over Facebook post

Death toll in Friday's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-17-killed-in-afghanistan-mosque-blast-officials-256710">mosque bomb blast in eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar</a> province has risen to 72. 
 
Local authorities confirmed that it was a suicide bomber that detonated explosives inside the mosque, Tolo News reported. 
 
The residents of the Jaw Dara village are still pulling people out of the debris of the mosque that was rocked by the blast around 1:30 pm (local time) on Friday. 
 
"Four people are missing and we are searching to find their bodies. In total we have lost 72 people in the blast and around 30 others were wounded, and yet it is not clear if it was a blast due to explosives," said Waqifullah, a resident of the district. 
 
"There were two attackers, one entered the mosque and detonated his explosives and the second attacker fled the area," said Amir Hamza, an army commander in the district. 
 
Taliban has denied any involvement in the attack and no other group has claimed the responsibility. 
 
Sediq Sediqqi, President Ghani's spokesperson, in a tweet strongly condemned the blasts in the mosque. 
 
This comes two days after the Taliban claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing near police headquarters that claimed the lives of two members of the Afghan Security Forces and injured 26 other people in Afghanistan's eastern province of Laghman.

Death toll in Friday's mosque bomb blast in eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar province has risen to 72. Local authorities confirmed that it was a suicide bomber that detonated explosives inside the mosque, Tolo News reported.

Death toll in Friday's mosque bomb blast in eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar province has risen to 72. Local authorities confirmed that it was a suicide bomber that detonated explosives inside the mosque, Tolo News reported. The residents of the Jaw Dara village are still pulling people out of the debris of the mosque that was rocked by the blast around 1:30 pm (local time) on Friday. "Four people are missing and we are searching to find their bodies. In total we have lost 72 people in the blast and around 30 others were wounded, and yet it is not clear if it was a blast due to explosives," said Waqifullah, a resident of the district. "There were two attackers, one entered the mosque and detonated his explosives and the second attacker fled the area," said Amir Hamza, an army commander in the district. Taliban has denied any involvement in the attack and no other group has claimed the responsibility. Sediq Sediqqi, President Ghani's spokesperson, in a tweet strongly condemned the blasts in the mosque. This comes two days after the Taliban claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing near police headquarters that claimed the lives of two members of the Afghan Security Forces and injured 26 other people in Afghanistan's eastern province of Laghman.

Afghanistan: Mosque bomb blast death toll rises to 72

Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has termed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bangladesh-border-guards-shoot-kill-indian-soldier-official-256586">the firing incident on border in which a BSF soldier was killed by the BGB as 'unfortunate'</a> and said this should not affect the cordial relationship between the two countries. 
 
"This was an unfortunate event, which should not affect the cordial relationship between Bangladesh and India," Dhaka Tribune quoted him as saying on Friday. 
Border Guards of Bangladesh (BGB) had on Thursday opened fire on a Border Security Force (BSF) party, killing one constable and injuring another when the party was trying to trace an Indian fisherman along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal. 
 
"We are set to identify the conflicting issues between the two forces, and design peaceful solution to restore the friendly bonding between them," said the Bangladeshi Home Minister. 
 
Head Constable Vijay Bhan Singh of the BSF died after he received bullet injuries on his head. Another constable-cum-boatman received bullet injuries on his right hand. 
According to the BSF, three Indian fishermen had gone for fishing in the river Padma in the border area on Thursday morning. 
 
"Two fishermen returned and approached the BSF post at Kakmarichar and said that the BGB apprehended them all. They, however, released two of them in order to call BSF post-commander for a flag meeting," BSF had said. 
 
"Around 10:30 am, the Post Commander along with five troopers in the BSF boat, approached the BGB patrol in the water channel of River Padma near the boundary. During the flag meeting, the BGB patrol did not release the Indian fisherman and also tried to cordon (gherao) the BSF troops," added the BSF. 
 
Sensing the situation worsening, the BSF party immediately returned following which the BGB troops opened fire on them. 
 
BGB, however, claimed they "fired in self-defence" during a flag meeting along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal's Murshidabad. 
 
"It should be noted that four out of the four BSF members were wearing uniforms and the rest were wearing half pants-gauze. Also, it is important to note that the BSF team had weapons," the BGB had said in a statement. 
 
The Bangladeshi Border Guards had said that it told the BSF if they want to take the prisoners back, they would be given a formal return with the flag meeting. 
 
"BGB patrol team informed them that you too came to Bangladesh illegally. So you too will be handed over through official flag meeting," it added. 
 
The BGB further said, "The BSF members were then forced to flee. When the BGB stopped them, the BSF members started firing. Speedboats continued to enter India. The BGB then fired in self-defence. Later, it was reported that one BSF member was killed."

Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has termed the firing incident on border in which a BSF soldier was killed by the BGB as 'unfortunate' and said this should not affect the cordial relationship between the two countries.

Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has termed the firing incident on border in which a BSF soldier was killed by the BGB as 'unfortunate' and said this should not affect the cordial relationship between the two countries. "This was an unfortunate event, which should not affect the cordial relationship between Bangladesh and India," Dhaka Tribune quoted him as saying on Friday. Border Guards of Bangladesh (BGB) had on Thursday opened fire on a Border Security Force (BSF) party, killing one constable and injuring another when the party was trying to trace an Indian fisherman along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal. "We are set to identify the conflicting issues between the two forces, and design peaceful solution to restore the friendly bonding between them," said the Bangladeshi Home Minister. Head Constable Vijay Bhan Singh of the BSF died after he received bullet injuries on his head. Another constable-cum-boatman received bullet injuries on his right hand. According to the BSF, three Indian fishermen had gone for fishing in the river Padma in the border area on Thursday morning. "Two fishermen returned and approached the BSF post at Kakmarichar and said that the BGB apprehended them all. They, however, released two of them in order to call BSF post-commander for a flag meeting," BSF had said. "Around 10:30 am, the Post Commander along with five troopers in the BSF boat, approached the BGB patrol in the water channel of River Padma near the boundary. During the flag meeting, the BGB patrol did not release the Indian fisherman and also tried to cordon (gherao) the BSF troops," added the BSF. Sensing the situation worsening, the BSF party immediately returned following which the BGB troops opened fire on them. BGB, however, claimed they "fired in self-defence" during a flag meeting along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal's Murshidabad. "It should be noted that four out of the four BSF members were wearing uniforms and the rest were wearing half pants-gauze. Also, it is important to note that the BSF team had weapons," the BGB had said in a statement. The Bangladeshi Border Guards had said that it told the BSF if they want to take the prisoners back, they would be given a formal return with the flag meeting. "BGB patrol team informed them that you too came to Bangladesh illegally. So you too will be handed over through official flag meeting," it added. The BGB further said, "The BSF members were then forced to flee. When the BGB stopped them, the BSF members started firing. Speedboats continued to enter India. The BGB then fired in self-defence. Later, it was reported that one BSF member was killed."

Bangladesh Home Minister calls cross-border firing incident 'unfortunate', says it should not affect relationship with India

Six people were killed late Friday when unknown assailants attacked a post held by armed pro-government groups in strife-torn northeastern Mali, the groups said in a statement.

Four more people were missing after the attack in Aguelhok, an alliance of pro-government forces calling itself Platform of the June 2014 Movements said.

The security situation in Mali has been deteriorating steadily with separatists, Salafists and jihadists mounting deadly insurrections since 2012.

No military or political solution appears in sight for Mali, despite the deployment of French, African and U.N. troops in the country.

Northern Mali came under the control of Al-Qaeda linked jihadists after Mali's army failed to quash a Tuareg rebellion in 2012.

The following year, a French-led military campaign was launched against the jihadists, pushing them back.

But the jihadist regrouped and widened their trademark hit-and-run raids and road mine attacks to central and southern Mali and from there into Burkina Faso and Niger where they often fan existing inter-communal strife which has left hundreds dead.

Six people were killed late Friday when unknown assailants attacked a post held by armed pro-government groups in strife-torn northeastern Mali, the groups said in a statement.

Six people were killed late Friday when unknown assailants attacked a post held by armed pro-government groups in strife-torn northeastern Mali, the groups said in a statement. Four more people were missing after the attack in Aguelhok, an alliance of pro-government forces calling itself Platform of the June 2014 Movements said. The security situation in Mali has been deteriorating steadily with separatists, Salafists and jihadists mounting deadly insurrections since 2012. No military or political solution appears in sight for Mali, despite the deployment of French, African and U.N. troops in the country. Northern Mali came under the control of Al-Qaeda linked jihadists after Mali's army failed to quash a Tuareg rebellion in 2012. The following year, a French-led military campaign was launched against the jihadists, pushing them back. But the jihadist regrouped and widened their trademark hit-and-run raids and road mine attacks to central and southern Mali and from there into Burkina Faso and Niger where they often fan existing inter-communal strife which has left hundreds dead.

Six killed in Mali attack on pro-government forces

Most of the 127 persons arrested in connection with cases linked to terror organisation ISIS from across 14 states in the country were inspired by controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, according to Inspector-General (IG) of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jum-expanding-into-india-under-guise-of-bangladeshi-migrants-nia-top-offical-255775">National Investigation Agency</a>, Alok Mittal. 
 
Addressing a conference of anti-terror agencies here on Monday, Mittal said that 127 people arrested in ISIS-related cases over the years including 33 from Tamil Nadu, 19 from Uttar Pradesh, 17 from Kerala, and 14 from Telangana. 
 
Some of the accused arrested in cases related to ISIS have accepted that they were radicalised by the mastermind behind the Easter Day bombings in Sri Lanka and by the preacher Zakir Naik. 
 
"In three of these ISIS cases from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the accused have admitted that they were radicalised by Zahran Hashim's videos. Hashim, as we know, is the mastermind of the Easter day bombings in Sri Lanka," Mittal said. 
 
"Accused in the majority of these ISIS cases have also admitted that they were radicalised through videos of Zakir Naik and other Islamic preachers, so a case was registered against Naik and his organisation Islamic Research Foundation (IRF)," Mittal added. 
 
The inaugural session of the two-day national conference of chiefs of Anti-Terrorism Squad and Special Task Force (STF) that began here today was attended by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and Minister of State (MoS) Home Affairs, G Kishan Reddy. 
 
Former IB Special Director and present Nagaland Governor RN Ravi and NIA, DG, YC Modi were also present at the meeting. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/to-support-terrorism-is-pakistans-state-policy-fatf-has-created-pressure-on-it-ajit-doval-255788">During the conference, one session was dedicated to Jihadi terrorism and the efforts being made to counter the menace.</a>

Most of the 127 persons arrested in connection with cases linked to terror organisation ISIS from across 14 states in the country were inspired by controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, according to Inspector-General (IG) of the National Investigation Agency, Alok Mittal.

Most of the 127 persons arrested in connection with cases linked to terror organisation ISIS from across 14 states in the country were inspired by controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, according to Inspector-General (IG) of the National Investigation Agency, Alok Mittal. Addressing a conference of anti-terror agencies here on Monday, Mittal said that 127 people arrested in ISIS-related cases over the years including 33 from Tamil Nadu, 19 from Uttar Pradesh, 17 from Kerala, and 14 from Telangana. Some of the accused arrested in cases related to ISIS have accepted that they were radicalised by the mastermind behind the Easter Day bombings in Sri Lanka and by the preacher Zakir Naik. "In three of these ISIS cases from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the accused have admitted that they were radicalised by Zahran Hashim's videos. Hashim, as we know, is the mastermind of the Easter day bombings in Sri Lanka," Mittal said. "Accused in the majority of these ISIS cases have also admitted that they were radicalised through videos of Zakir Naik and other Islamic preachers, so a case was registered against Naik and his organisation Islamic Research Foundation (IRF)," Mittal added. The inaugural session of the two-day national conference of chiefs of Anti-Terrorism Squad and Special Task Force (STF) that began here today was attended by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and Minister of State (MoS) Home Affairs, G Kishan Reddy. Former IB Special Director and present Nagaland Governor RN Ravi and NIA, DG, YC Modi were also present at the meeting. During the conference, one session was dedicated to Jihadi terrorism and the efforts being made to counter the menace.

127 held in connection with ISIS claim they were inspired by videos of Zakir Naik, says NIA Inspector-General

Taliban militants on Sunday killed the governor of the Jaghatu district of Afghanistan's Wardak, Raz Mohammad Waziri.&nbsp; 
 
The governor was killed in his own car in Golai hospital area in the Koti Sangi district in western Kabul, Sputnik reported. 
 
The police have declined to comment over the incident. 
 
Taliban has launched a series of attack after United States President abruptly ended the peace talks. 
 
This comes as Defence Ministry announced that the government have gained control over 12 districts in five provinces in the last six month. 
 
"For the past six months, 12 districts in Ghazni, Badakhshan, Kunduz, Takhar and Faryab provinces have been completely liberated from Taliban control," Aman wrote on his Twitter page on Saturday.&nbsp;

Taliban militants on Sunday killed the governor of the Jaghatu district of Afghanistan's Wardak, Raz Mohammad Waziri. The governor was killed in his own car in Golai hospital area in the Koti Sangi district in western Kabul, Sputnik reported.

Taliban militants on Sunday killed the governor of the Jaghatu district of Afghanistan's Wardak, Raz Mohammad Waziri. The governor was killed in his own car in Golai hospital area in the Koti Sangi district in western Kabul, Sputnik reported. The police have declined to comment over the incident. Taliban has launched a series of attack after United States President abruptly ended the peace talks. This comes as Defence Ministry announced that the government have gained control over 12 districts in five provinces in the last six month. "For the past six months, 12 districts in Ghazni, Badakhshan, Kunduz, Takhar and Faryab provinces have been completely liberated from Taliban control," Aman wrote on his Twitter page on Saturday.

Afghanistan: Talbian militants kill governor of Jaghatu district

Pakistani authorities on Thursday arrested four aides of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/why-pakistans-heart-bleeds-for-hafiz-saeed-252370">terrorist Hafiz Saeed</a>, the suspected mastermind of the 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai in 2008.

The aides have been arrested on the charges of terrorism financing, counter-terrorism police said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-must-account-for-basic-expenses-being-given-to-hafiz-saeed-us-252624">Saeed</a>, arrested on the same charges, has been on judicial remand since July, a move welcomed by US President Donald Trump who wants Pakistan to do more to crack down on militancy.

But Saeed`s arrest came just ahead of a visit to Washington by Prime Minister Imran Khan and was seen by India as a ploy to smooth the way before a meeting with Trump.

Thursday`s arrests come ahead of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-prepares-compliance-report-as-fatf-meeting-approaches-254992">Financial Action Task Force meeting</a> which is scheduled for next week.

The global watchdog FATF will review progress made by Pakistan in controlling terror financing and money laundering.

Pakistan, included on a so-called grey list compiled by the FATF, has been under increasing pressure to stop the financing of terror groups.

The four aides will appear before a trial court on Friday, police said in a statement.

Saeed, designated a terrorist by the United States and the United Nations, is the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, or Army of the Pure, the militant group blamed by the United States and India for the Mumbai attacks, which killed more than 160 people.

The United States has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to Saeed`s conviction. 
&nbsp;

Pakistani authorities on Thursday arrested four aides of terrorist Hafiz Saeed, the suspected mastermind of the 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai in 2008. The aides have been arrested on the charges of terrorism financing, counter-terrorism police said.

Pakistani authorities on Thursday arrested four aides of terrorist Hafiz Saeed, the suspected mastermind of the 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai in 2008. The aides have been arrested on the charges of terrorism financing, counter-terrorism police said. Saeed, arrested on the same charges, has been on judicial remand since July, a move welcomed by US President Donald Trump who wants Pakistan to do more to crack down on militancy. But Saeed`s arrest came just ahead of a visit to Washington by Prime Minister Imran Khan and was seen by India as a ploy to smooth the way before a meeting with Trump. Thursday`s arrests come ahead of Financial Action Task Force meeting which is scheduled for next week. The global watchdog FATF will review progress made by Pakistan in controlling terror financing and money laundering. Pakistan, included on a so-called grey list compiled by the FATF, has been under increasing pressure to stop the financing of terror groups. The four aides will appear before a trial court on Friday, police said in a statement. Saeed, designated a terrorist by the United States and the United Nations, is the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, or Army of the Pure, the militant group blamed by the United States and India for the Mumbai attacks, which killed more than 160 people. The United States has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to Saeed`s conviction.

Pakistan arrests four aides of Hafiz Saeed ahead of FATF meet

European Union chief Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday demanded&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-security-council-head-appeals-to-turkey-for-restraint-in-syria-254812">Turkey halt its military operation against Kurdish militants in northern Syria</a>, telling Ankara the bloc would not pay for any so-called "safe zone" that might be created.

He spoke as Turkish forces launched an assault on Kurdish positions, with airstrikes and explosions reported near the border.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the start of the&nbsp;attack, which is aimed at curbing the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The SDF was previously allied to the US, which used it to crush the Islamic State group.

Juncker told the European Parliament he recognised Turkey had "security concerns" along the border. But he warned the military action would not lead to a "good result", saying a political solution was the only way to end the Syrian conflict.

"I call on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-denies-initiation-of-syria-operation-254739">Turkey as well as the other actors to act with restraint and to stop operations already</a>, as we are speaking, underway," Juncker said.

"I have to say if the Turkish plan involves the creation of a so-called safe zone, don't expect the European Union to pay for any of it."

Ankara regards the Kurdish fighters as terrorists linked to insurgents inside Turkey. It wants to invade to create a "safe zone" on the Syrian side of the border where it could send back some of the 3.6 million refugees it hosts from Syria's eight-year civil war.

NATO member Turkey is technically a candidate country to join the European Union but accession talks are effectively frozen and ties between the Ankara and the bloc have limped along for years.

Ankara agreed to a $6.6 billion&nbsp;deal with Brussels to stem the influx of migrants to the EU in 2016, but relations soured after Erdogan unleashed a major crackdown in the wake of a failed coup to overthrow him in the same year.

European Union chief Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday demanded Turkey halt its military operation against Kurdish militants in northern Syria, telling Ankara the bloc would not pay for any so-called "safe zone" that might be created.

European Union chief Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday demanded Turkey halt its military operation against Kurdish militants in northern Syria, telling Ankara the bloc would not pay for any so-called "safe zone" that might be created. He spoke as Turkish forces launched an assault on Kurdish positions, with airstrikes and explosions reported near the border. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the start of the attack, which is aimed at curbing the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The SDF was previously allied to the US, which used it to crush the Islamic State group. Juncker told the European Parliament he recognised Turkey had "security concerns" along the border. But he warned the military action would not lead to a "good result", saying a political solution was the only way to end the Syrian conflict. "I call on Turkey as well as the other actors to act with restraint and to stop operations already, as we are speaking, underway," Juncker said. "I have to say if the Turkish plan involves the creation of a so-called safe zone, don't expect the European Union to pay for any of it." Ankara regards the Kurdish fighters as terrorists linked to insurgents inside Turkey. It wants to invade to create a "safe zone" on the Syrian side of the border where it could send back some of the 3.6 million refugees it hosts from Syria's eight-year civil war. NATO member Turkey is technically a candidate country to join the European Union but accession talks are effectively frozen and ties between the Ankara and the bloc have limped along for years. Ankara agreed to a $6.6 billion deal with Brussels to stem the influx of migrants to the EU in 2016, but relations soured after Erdogan unleashed a major crackdown in the wake of a failed coup to overthrow him in the same year.

European Union urges Turkey to halt Syria offensive, will not pay for 'safe zone'

A Naxal was killed in an encounter with District Reserve Guard (DRG) in the jungles of Pitepal under Katekalyan police station limits in Dantewada district on Tuesday morning, while a security personnel, who was a part of the operation, died of heart attack, police said.

Another police personnel was injured in the encounter, which took place at around 9 am, said P Sundarraj, DIG anti-Naxal operations.

The DRG official, who died due to heart attack, was identified as Kailash Netam.

The body of the Naxal has been recovered.

DRG officials have also recovered one country-made pistol, two magazines of INSAS rifle and two magazines of SLR.

A Naxal was killed in an encounter with District Reserve Guard (DRG) in the jungles of Pitepal under Katekalyan police station limits in Dantewada district on Tuesday morning, while a security personnel, who was a part of the operation, died of heart attack, police said.

A Naxal was killed in an encounter with District Reserve Guard (DRG) in the jungles of Pitepal under Katekalyan police station limits in Dantewada district on Tuesday morning, while a security personnel, who was a part of the operation, died of heart attack, police said. Another police personnel was injured in the encounter, which took place at around 9 am, said P Sundarraj, DIG anti-Naxal operations. The DRG official, who died due to heart attack, was identified as Kailash Netam. The body of the Naxal has been recovered. DRG officials have also recovered one country-made pistol, two magazines of INSAS rifle and two magazines of SLR.

Chhattisgarh: 1 Naxal killed in encounter; DRG jawan dies of heart attack

Unidentified gunmen killed eight people and injured 18 during an overnight attack in northern <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rwanda-welcomes-first-group-of-african-refugees-from-libya-252319">Rwanda</a> near the border with DR Congo, police said Saturday.

The attack took place in Musanze district which attracts tourists because of its Volcanoes National Park and its mountain gorillas, they said.&nbsp;

Six people were killed with machetes or knives and the others were shot dead, a police statement said.

"Security forces were quick to provide emergency services to the residents of the area and investigations are still ongoing to find these terrorists," it added.&nbsp;

The area has repeatedly been targeted by Rwandan rebels operating from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

One such group is the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uganda-rwanda-leaders-sign-pact-in-bid-to-end-standoff-244670">Rwanda</a>, created by Rwandan Hutu refugees in eastern DRC after the genocide of Tutsis by majority Hutus in Rwanda in 1994.

The last attack by rebels in this region happened in December and resulted in the deaths of two Rwandan soldiers.

Unidentified gunmen killed eight people and injured 18 during an overnight attack in northern Rwanda near the border with DR Congo, police said Saturday. The attack took place in Musanze district which attracts tourists because of its Volcanoes National Park and its mountain gorillas, they said.

Unidentified gunmen killed eight people and injured 18 during an overnight attack in northern Rwanda near the border with DR Congo, police said Saturday. The attack took place in Musanze district which attracts tourists because of its Volcanoes National Park and its mountain gorillas, they said. Six people were killed with machetes or knives and the others were shot dead, a police statement said. "Security forces were quick to provide emergency services to the residents of the area and investigations are still ongoing to find these terrorists," it added. The area has repeatedly been targeted by Rwandan rebels operating from the Democratic Republic of Congo. One such group is the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, created by Rwandan Hutu refugees in eastern DRC after the genocide of Tutsis by majority Hutus in Rwanda in 1994. The last attack by rebels in this region happened in December and resulted in the deaths of two Rwandan soldiers.

Gunmen kill eight and injure 18 in Rwanda

Sri Lanka's Cricket Board on Thursday said that it will go ahead with its tour of Pakistan despite fears that players could be the targets of terror attacks during the six-match visit.

Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Mohan de Silva said that they received the all-clear from the defence ministry to leave for Pakistan on Tuesday after establishing that there was no threat to the national team.

Sri Lanka Cricket Board added in a statement that the governing body was assured the Pakistan army would coordinate security set at a level usually reserved for a Head of State.

"Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce that the forthcoming tour of Pakistan will go ahead as planned, following assurances given by the government of Pakistan that it will provide maximum security", the statement said.

De Silva added that he and "our office bearers will also be accompanying the team".

Reports from last week about a possible terror attack were referred to the defence ministry for investigation.

The Sri Lankan team was the target of an attack during a Test match in Pakistan's Lahore in March 2009, with six players injured when gunmen attacked their bus.

Six Pakistani policemen and two civilians were killed.

Since the attack, a majority of international teams have refused to tour the South Asian country.

Sri Lanka's first match in Lahore after that was one T20 game against Pakistan in October 2017.

De Silva visited Pakistan last month along with a security consultant to check out the arrangements made by the hosts.

The six-match tour, due to start on September 27, was put on hold last week after the Sri Lanka prime minister's office warned the board it had unspecified information about a possible attack against its players.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it was not aware of any information relating to the safety of the Sri Lankan team, but reiterated its commitment to providing security.

Ten senior players opted out of the tour citing security concerns.

Sri Lanka has already announced two squads for the three one-day internationals and the three T20 matches.

Match schedule:

1st ODI -- Karachi, September 27

2nd ODI -- Karachi, September 29

3rd ODI -- Karachi, October 2

1st T20 -- Lahore, October 5

2nd T20 -- Lahore, October 7

3rd T20 -- Lahore, October 9

Sri Lanka's Cricket Board on Thursday said that it will go ahead with its tour of Pakistan despite fears that players could be the targets of terror attacks during the six-match visit.

Sri Lanka's Cricket Board on Thursday said that it will go ahead with its tour of Pakistan despite fears that players could be the targets of terror attacks during the six-match visit. Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Mohan de Silva said that they received the all-clear from the defence ministry to leave for Pakistan on Tuesday after establishing that there was no threat to the national team. Sri Lanka Cricket Board added in a statement that the governing body was assured the Pakistan army would coordinate security set at a level usually reserved for a Head of State. "Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce that the forthcoming tour of Pakistan will go ahead as planned, following assurances given by the government of Pakistan that it will provide maximum security", the statement said. De Silva added that he and "our office bearers will also be accompanying the team". Reports from last week about a possible terror attack were referred to the defence ministry for investigation. The Sri Lankan team was the target of an attack during a Test match in Pakistan's Lahore in March 2009, with six players injured when gunmen attacked their bus. Six Pakistani policemen and two civilians were killed. Since the attack, a majority of international teams have refused to tour the South Asian country. Sri Lanka's first match in Lahore after that was one T20 game against Pakistan in October 2017. De Silva visited Pakistan last month along with a security consultant to check out the arrangements made by the hosts. The six-match tour, due to start on September 27, was put on hold last week after the Sri Lanka prime minister's office warned the board it had unspecified information about a possible attack against its players. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it was not aware of any information relating to the safety of the Sri Lankan team, but reiterated its commitment to providing security. Ten senior players opted out of the tour citing security concerns. Sri Lanka has already announced two squads for the three one-day internationals and the three T20 matches. Match schedule: 1st ODI -- Karachi, September 27 2nd ODI -- Karachi, September 29 3rd ODI -- Karachi, October 2 1st T20 -- Lahore, October 5 2nd T20 -- Lahore, October 7 3rd T20 -- Lahore, October 9

Sri Lankan cricket team to go ahead with Pakistan tour despite terror fears

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-calls-on-pakistan-to-immediately-end-support-to-all-terrorist-groups-white-house-197523">United States </a>on Tuesday (local time) designated the leader of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/unsc-hails-masood-azhars-designation-as-global-terrorist-a-notable-achievement-220333">Pakistan</a>-based terror organisation, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), as a terrorist.

TTP, also known as Pakistan Taliban, in an alliance of the terror group.

The group is responsible for carrying out multiple suicide bombings, and have killed hundreds of civilians.

TTP was earlier designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) by the Department of State.

Noor Wali, also known as Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud, was named the leader of TTP in June 2018 following the death of former TTP leader Mullah Fazlullah.&nbsp;

"Under Noor Wali`s leadership, TTP has claimed responsibility for numerous deadly terrorist attacks across Pakistan," said US state department in a statement.

The decision by the state department was taken to deny the terrorist group "the resources to plan and carry out attacks".

According to the United Nations, the TPP is associated with Al-Qaida. It is responsible for "financing, planning, facilitating, preparing, or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf of, or in support of, supplying, selling or transferring arms and related materiel to, recruiting for or otherwise supporting acts or activities of" Al-Qaida.

This comes as another blow to Pakistan which has been repeatedly called out by the world community for supporting the terrorist groups.&nbsp;

Pakistan has been under the FATF radar for its complicity towards terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) among others.

The FATF had given a stern message to Pakistan to expedite its action plan for curbing terror financing by October or face the prospect of getting blacklisted, which could aggravate problems for its stagnant economy.&nbsp;

The present action by the US might adversely impact Islamabad case in front of the FATF.

Along with the TPP, the state department also listed leaders of Hizballah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, ISIS, ISIS-Philippines and ISIS-West Africa.

The department also designated an al-Qa`ida affiliate in Syria- Hurras al-Din-- as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

"The State Department is moving aggressively to implement these new authorities. Today, the Department has designated one terrorist group - Hurras al-Din, an al-Qa`ida affiliate in Syria - as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT)," the statement said.

"The Department has also designated as SDGTs 12 leaders of previously designated groups, including Hizballah, HAMAS, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, ISIS, ISIS-Philippines, ISIS-West Africa, and Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan. In addition to these actions, the Department of the Treasury has designated 15 additional terrorists affiliated with ISIS, ISIS-Philippines, ISIS-Khorasan, al-Qa`ida, HAMAS, and Iran`s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force under the same authority," the added.

The new order puts foreign financial institutions on notice that they risk sanctions if they knowingly "conduct or facilitate any significant transactions on behalf of designated terrorists".&nbsp;

The United States on Tuesday (local time) designated the leader of Pakistan-based terror organisation, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), as a terrorist. TTP, also known as Pakistan Taliban, in an alliance of the terror group.

The United States on Tuesday (local time) designated the leader of Pakistan-based terror organisation, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), as a terrorist. TTP, also known as Pakistan Taliban, in an alliance of the terror group. The group is responsible for carrying out multiple suicide bombings, and have killed hundreds of civilians. TTP was earlier designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) by the Department of State. Noor Wali, also known as Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud, was named the leader of TTP in June 2018 following the death of former TTP leader Mullah Fazlullah. "Under Noor Wali`s leadership, TTP has claimed responsibility for numerous deadly terrorist attacks across Pakistan," said US state department in a statement. The decision by the state department was taken to deny the terrorist group "the resources to plan and carry out attacks". According to the United Nations, the TPP is associated with Al-Qaida. It is responsible for "financing, planning, facilitating, preparing, or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf of, or in support of, supplying, selling or transferring arms and related materiel to, recruiting for or otherwise supporting acts or activities of" Al-Qaida. This comes as another blow to Pakistan which has been repeatedly called out by the world community for supporting the terrorist groups. Pakistan has been under the FATF radar for its complicity towards terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) among others. The FATF had given a stern message to Pakistan to expedite its action plan for curbing terror financing by October or face the prospect of getting blacklisted, which could aggravate problems for its stagnant economy. The present action by the US might adversely impact Islamabad case in front of the FATF. Along with the TPP, the state department also listed leaders of Hizballah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, ISIS, ISIS-Philippines and ISIS-West Africa. The department also designated an al-Qa`ida affiliate in Syria- Hurras al-Din-- as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. "The State Department is moving aggressively to implement these new authorities. Today, the Department has designated one terrorist group - Hurras al-Din, an al-Qa`ida affiliate in Syria - as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT)," the statement said. "The Department has also designated as SDGTs 12 leaders of previously designated groups, including Hizballah, HAMAS, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, ISIS, ISIS-Philippines, ISIS-West Africa, and Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan. In addition to these actions, the Department of the Treasury has designated 15 additional terrorists affiliated with ISIS, ISIS-Philippines, ISIS-Khorasan, al-Qa`ida, HAMAS, and Iran`s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force under the same authority," the added. The new order puts foreign financial institutions on notice that they risk sanctions if they knowingly "conduct or facilitate any significant transactions on behalf of designated terrorists".

US designates leader of Pak-based terror group as terrorist

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=http://www.wionews.com/sitemap-2019-feb.xml&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwie4ZP90r7kAhU76XMBHVeTCDcQFjAAegQIBxAB&amp;usg=AOvVaw2J02jDSfBGEJhKYGAAP3ui">Italy</a> has issued arrest warrants for 10 people, including an imam, suspected of financing terrorism, prosecutors said Saturday.

Eight of the suspects are of Tunisian origin and two are Italian. The Imam is from the city of Teramo in the central region of Abruzzo. &nbsp;

The suspects are alleged to have "created many false accounts, through various companies to set aside large sums of money," the prosecutor’s office in Aquila said.

The money was used to finance activities related to the radical Al-Nusra organisation, the former Syrian branch of Al Qaeda, it said.

Part of the money was also intended for imams in Italy, &nbsp;"including one convicted for association with a group linked to international terrorism".

An Italian accountant is also among the 10 suspects, whose property, money and real estate, said to be worth more than one million euros (over $1.1 million), were seized, the statement said.

Italy has issued arrest warrants for 10 people, including an imam, suspected of financing terrorism, prosecutors said Saturday. Eight of the suspects are of Tunisian origin and two are Italian.

Italy has issued arrest warrants for 10 people, including an imam, suspected of financing terrorism, prosecutors said Saturday. Eight of the suspects are of Tunisian origin and two are Italian. The Imam is from the city of Teramo in the central region of Abruzzo. The suspects are alleged to have "created many false accounts, through various companies to set aside large sums of money," the prosecutor’s office in Aquila said. The money was used to finance activities related to the radical Al-Nusra organisation, the former Syrian branch of Al Qaeda, it said. Part of the money was also intended for imams in Italy, "including one convicted for association with a group linked to international terrorism". An Italian accountant is also among the 10 suspects, whose property, money and real estate, said to be worth more than one million euros (over $1.1 million), were seized, the statement said.

Italy seeks 10, including Imam, on terror finance charges

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-less-than-70-days-of-new-govt-article-370-is-history-pm-in-independence-day-speech-243082">addressed the nation on the occasion of country's 73rd Independence Day</a>. Without naming Pakistan directly, the prime minister slammed the countries who are supporting terror.

During his speech from the rampart of Red Fort today, PM Modi said that India's policy on countries sponsoring terror is clear.&nbsp;

"For world peace, India has to play its role. India can't be a mute spectator and India is strongly fighting against those who are supporting terror," he said.

"Terrorism is a war against humanity and that is why the world needs to speak in one voice against those who support, promote and export terror. India will play its role to fight against those who are exporting terror," the prime minister added.&nbsp;

India, at various international forums, has been highlighting Islamabad's support to terror groups. Pakistan has been facing the heat especially with anti-terror financing bodies like the FATF or the Financial Action Task Force&nbsp;where it faces a blacklisting.

PM Modi also mentioned Sri Lanka Easter day terror attacks that killed more than 100 people.&nbsp;"Some people have targeted our neighbours like Bangladesh, Afghanistan and in Sri Lanka people where people were killed in church... our policy against those who spread terror is clear," he said.

PM Modi had visited St Anthony's church, one the locations of the April terror attacks, during his visit to Sri Lanka in June. He was the first world leader to visit the location and pay homage to those who died in the attacks. The attacks were claimed by an Islamic State-inspired group.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the nation on the occasion of country's 73rd Independence Day. Without naming Pakistan directly, the prime minister slammed the countries who are supporting terror.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the nation on the occasion of country's 73rd Independence Day. Without naming Pakistan directly, the prime minister slammed the countries who are supporting terror. During his speech from the rampart of Red Fort today, PM Modi said that India's policy on countries sponsoring terror is clear. "For world peace, India has to play its role. India can't be a mute spectator and India is strongly fighting against those who are supporting terror," he said. "Terrorism is a war against humanity and that is why the world needs to speak in one voice against those who support, promote and export terror. India will play its role to fight against those who are exporting terror," the prime minister added. India, at various international forums, has been highlighting Islamabad's support to terror groups. Pakistan has been facing the heat especially with anti-terror financing bodies like the FATF or the Financial Action Task Force where it faces a blacklisting. PM Modi also mentioned Sri Lanka Easter day terror attacks that killed more than 100 people. "Some people have targeted our neighbours like Bangladesh, Afghanistan and in Sri Lanka people where people were killed in church... our policy against those who spread terror is clear," he said. PM Modi had visited St Anthony's church, one the locations of the April terror attacks, during his visit to Sri Lanka in June. He was the first world leader to visit the location and pay homage to those who died in the attacks. The attacks were claimed by an Islamic State-inspired group.

Terrorism is war against humanity, India's policy on it is clear: PM Modi

Sandstorms, thunderstorms and villagers reluctant to speak -- these were the conditions faced by hundreds of French troops and 100 allied Malians who were searching for 50-odd jihadists in Mali's savannas during an operation in Gourma district.

French troops face heat, silence during hunt for jihadists in Mali

Watch our report on the rise and fall of al-Qaeda, which pioneered the franchise model of terrorism.

The resurgence of Al-Qaeda

The US media on Wednesday cited American officials and announced the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/al-qaidas-post-osama-strategy-humza-bin-ladens-voice-used-to-blunt-islamic-state-239867">death of Osama bin Laden's son Hamza&nbsp;bin Laden</a>.

The fifteenth child of Osama bin Laden's 20 children, Hamza&nbsp;provided a younger voice for the group whose ageing leaders have struggled to "inspire" terrorists around the world galvanised by Islamic State, according to analysts.

Here's taking a look at the life and times of Hamza's father Osama bin Laden.

Born in a prosperous family

Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1957 in a prosperous family.

He was the seventh of the 50 children born to Muhammad bin Laden and the only son born to his mother Alia Ghanem.

After her split with Mohammad Awad bin Laden, Osama's mother took him and lived with her new husband. Osama, therefore, spent most of his childhood with his step-siblings. 
&nbsp; 
He attended the most prestigious school of Jedda, Al Thagher Model School. At 14, he emerged as an outstanding student in his school.

Due to his brilliant performance in studies, Osama was invited to join a small Islamic study group. He attended the Islamic group along with several other boys from imminent Jedda family.

According to reports, it was this&nbsp;place&nbsp;which first sowed the seeds of violent jihad in Osama. During this period Laden grew untrimmed beards and imitated Prophet's dress.

US hailed Osama bin Laden, called him&nbsp;Freedom Fighter

Osama who laid the plot for the deadly 9/11 attack on the World Trade Centre was once referred to as "Freedom Fighter" by the United States in 1989.

The event traces back to the Soviet Union's invasion in Afghanistan. Osama who believed it was his duty as a Muslim to help the country, moved to Afghanistan from Saudi Arabia and joined the Afghan forces in 1979.

He also trained mujahideen, a group of Islamic jihadists here.

After the Soviets withdrew from the country in 1989, Osama returned to Saudi Arabia as a hero and the United States referred to him as "Freedom Fighters".

Stripped off his citizenship

The once-celebrated Osama bin Laden was sent out of his country in 1992.

During the Persian Gulf War, Osama&nbsp;was provoked by the US occupation of Saudi Arabia and entered into conflict with the government charging them of corruption. He also publicly denounced the Saudi government's reliance on American troops. Eventually, he ended up going to an exile in Sudan in 1992.

By 1993, Osama bin Laden had formed a secret group called Al-Qaeda. The group comprising of militant Muslims aimed at taking up jihadist cause across the world.

Over the years Al-Qaeda organised several global attacks. Due to his continuous involvement in extremist jihadist, Saudi Arabia stripped off his citizenship in 1994 and also confiscated his passport. Osama was also disowned by his family.&nbsp;

His war against the US increased over the years. In 1996, he detonated bombs against US-occupied forces in Saudi Arabia. The group continued to organise several attacks against the US in the next few years.&nbsp;

War against humanity

Due to the rising war against humanity, Sudan also exiled him in 1996. Thereafter Osama took refuge in Afghanistan where he received aid and protection from country's militant group Taliban. After his engagement with the Taliban, Osama declared a holy war against the US.

Osama bin Laden led group conducted one of the most deadly attacks on the US on September 11, 2001. The attack claimed the lives of over thousands of civilians.

After the attack, Osama went into hiding for over 10 years. A decade after the attack, the then US President Barack Obama announced on May 2, 2011, about the killing of Osama in Pakistan's Abbottabad.

The US media on Wednesday cited American officials and announced the death of Osama bin Laden's son Hamza bin Laden. The fifteenth child of Osama bin Laden's 20 children, Hamza provided a younger voice for the group whose ageing leaders have struggled to "inspire" terrorists around the world galvanised by Islamic State, according to analysts.

The US media on Wednesday cited American officials and announced the death of Osama bin Laden's son Hamza bin Laden. The fifteenth child of Osama bin Laden's 20 children, Hamza provided a younger voice for the group whose ageing leaders have struggled to "inspire" terrorists around the world galvanised by Islamic State, according to analysts. Here's taking a look at the life and times of Hamza's father Osama bin Laden. Born in a prosperous family Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1957 in a prosperous family. He was the seventh of the 50 children born to Muhammad bin Laden and the only son born to his mother Alia Ghanem. After her split with Mohammad Awad bin Laden, Osama's mother took him and lived with her new husband. Osama, therefore, spent most of his childhood with his step-siblings. He attended the most prestigious school of Jedda, Al Thagher Model School. At 14, he emerged as an outstanding student in his school. Due to his brilliant performance in studies, Osama was invited to join a small Islamic study group. He attended the Islamic group along with several other boys from imminent Jedda family. According to reports, it was this place which first sowed the seeds of violent jihad in Osama. During this period Laden grew untrimmed beards and imitated Prophet's dress. US hailed Osama bin Laden, called him Freedom Fighter Osama who laid the plot for the deadly 9/11 attack on the World Trade Centre was once referred to as "Freedom Fighter" by the United States in 1989. The event traces back to the Soviet Union's invasion in Afghanistan. Osama who believed it was his duty as a Muslim to help the country, moved to Afghanistan from Saudi Arabia and joined the Afghan forces in 1979. He also trained mujahideen, a group of Islamic jihadists here. After the Soviets withdrew from the country in 1989, Osama returned to Saudi Arabia as a hero and the United States referred to him as "Freedom Fighters". Stripped off his citizenship The once-celebrated Osama bin Laden was sent out of his country in 1992. During the Persian Gulf War, Osama was provoked by the US occupation of Saudi Arabia and entered into conflict with the government charging them of corruption. He also publicly denounced the Saudi government's reliance on American troops. Eventually, he ended up going to an exile in Sudan in 1992. By 1993, Osama bin Laden had formed a secret group called Al-Qaeda. The group comprising of militant Muslims aimed at taking up jihadist cause across the world. Over the years Al-Qaeda organised several global attacks. Due to his continuous involvement in extremist jihadist, Saudi Arabia stripped off his citizenship in 1994 and also confiscated his passport. Osama was also disowned by his family. His war against the US increased over the years. In 1996, he detonated bombs against US-occupied forces in Saudi Arabia. The group continued to organise several attacks against the US in the next few years. War against humanity Due to the rising war against humanity, Sudan also exiled him in 1996. Thereafter Osama took refuge in Afghanistan where he received aid and protection from country's militant group Taliban. After his engagement with the Taliban, Osama declared a holy war against the US. Osama bin Laden led group conducted one of the most deadly attacks on the US on September 11, 2001. The attack claimed the lives of over thousands of civilians. After the attack, Osama went into hiding for over 10 years. A decade after the attack, the then US President Barack Obama announced on May 2, 2011, about the killing of Osama in Pakistan's Abbottabad.

Profile of slain Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden

Bahrain executed two Shiite citizens on terror charges on Saturday, officials said, despite appeals for clemency from international human rights groups.

The pair, identified by rights groups as Ali al-Arab, 25, and Ahmad al-Malali, 24, was put to death by firing squad, the prosecutor said.

Both defendants were Shiite, judicial sources said, without confirming their names.

The small Gulf state, a key US ally located between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, has been gripped by bouts of unrest since 2011 when authorities cracked down on Shiite-led protests demanding political reform.

The two men, arrested separately in February 2017, were both sentenced to death in January last year after a mass trial with 58 other defendants that was marred by allegations of torture.

The pair were convicted of "forming a terror group" which went on to carry out a series of armed attacks in the kingdom.

They included the storming of the kingdom's Jaw prison in January 2017 that killed a guard and led to the escape of 10 detainees, the prosecutor said.

That attack was followed by two separate fatal attacks on police officers later the same month, the prosecutor added.

The convicts were put to death along with a third death row prisoner found guilty of murder.

Their families had been called to the prison on Friday for a final visit, Human Rights Watch said.

In an 11th hour appeal for clemency, HRW's acting Middle East director Lama Fakih warned that King Hamad was committing a "grave injustice by ratifying the death sentences of the two men despite the allegations of torture and other serious due process concerns".

Ruled for more than two centuries by the Sunni Al-Khalifa dynasty, Bahrain is mostly Shiite Muslim, according to unofficial estimates contested by the government.

Hundreds of protesters have been jailed since 2011, with Bahrain claiming Iran trained and backed demonstrators in order to topple the Manama government -- an accusation Tehran denies.

All opposition groups have been outlawed and disbanded.

Bahrain executed two Shiite citizens on terror charges on Saturday, officials said, despite appeals for clemency from international human rights groups. The pair, identified by rights groups as Ali al-Arab, 25, and Ahmad al-Malali, 24, was put to death by firing squad, the prosecutor said.

Bahrain executed two Shiite citizens on terror charges on Saturday, officials said, despite appeals for clemency from international human rights groups. The pair, identified by rights groups as Ali al-Arab, 25, and Ahmad al-Malali, 24, was put to death by firing squad, the prosecutor said. Both defendants were Shiite, judicial sources said, without confirming their names. The small Gulf state, a key US ally located between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, has been gripped by bouts of unrest since 2011 when authorities cracked down on Shiite-led protests demanding political reform. The two men, arrested separately in February 2017, were both sentenced to death in January last year after a mass trial with 58 other defendants that was marred by allegations of torture. The pair were convicted of "forming a terror group" which went on to carry out a series of armed attacks in the kingdom. They included the storming of the kingdom's Jaw prison in January 2017 that killed a guard and led to the escape of 10 detainees, the prosecutor said. That attack was followed by two separate fatal attacks on police officers later the same month, the prosecutor added. The convicts were put to death along with a third death row prisoner found guilty of murder. Their families had been called to the prison on Friday for a final visit, Human Rights Watch said. In an 11th hour appeal for clemency, HRW's acting Middle East director Lama Fakih warned that King Hamad was committing a "grave injustice by ratifying the death sentences of the two men despite the allegations of torture and other serious due process concerns". Ruled for more than two centuries by the Sunni Al-Khalifa dynasty, Bahrain is mostly Shiite Muslim, according to unofficial estimates contested by the government. Hundreds of protesters have been jailed since 2011, with Bahrain claiming Iran trained and backed demonstrators in order to topple the Manama government -- an accusation Tehran denies. All opposition groups have been outlawed and disbanded.

Bahrain executes two Shiites on terror charges

As Pakistan's Imran Khan-government continues to pat its back after arresting UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed, claiming that it is adamant on eradicating terrorism from its soil, the reality is in stark contrast as per former Pakistan Envoy to United Kingdom, Wajid Shamsul Hasan. He, in an opinion piece, underlines how the apprehension of the Mumbai terror attack mastermind is a mere eyewash and propaganda exercise to appease the United States.

Hasan in an Op-ed published in investigative news portal 'Surkhiyan' writes that "ninth time arrest of the terror group Jamaat-ud-Dawa's chief has a lot to do with Khan's Washington Yatra."

"Hafiz's arrest provoked a prompt tweet from no less than President Trump who described his nabbing as a big success for his efforts. Indeed, Hafiz Saeed's case has been very important from an American point of view as well PAKISTAN where he was top of the order proxy warrior in the eyes of the Establishment," he opined.

"His arrest on the eve of Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to the US was described as very timely development. It would wipe Trump's tears since Hafiz Saeed, leader of the banned Jamaatud Dawa is a UN-and US-designated global terrorist," he added.

Notwithstanding Pakistan's claim that the decision to nab Hafiz Saeed is part of Khan's new strategy to nab extremist elements to improve Pakistan's bargaining position with India and other countries, Hassan in his article unveils the truth behind the arrest of Saeed.

Quoting a statement from the horse's mouth i.e. Hafiz Saeed, Hassan said, "In his last Friday sermon before his arrest Hafiz Saeed gave reasons why he was going to be arrested just on the eve of Prime Minister Khan's official visit to Washington."

"According to him (Hafiz Saeed) he, his JuD and other likeminded groups who jointly fought with the erstwhile Soviet Union to get it out of Afghanistan and were found by the Americans as most favourable and tenacious proxy fighters for their war against Communist Russia as fodders for their guns. Hafiz Saeed recalled how on his single hundreds of jihadi fighters would collect to offer their fighting services for the Holy Jihad. He reminded his Jumma audience how he and others like him in the holy cause established their network of madaris around the Pak-Afghan border to sustain ready supply of volunteers for the Jihad," Hassan said.

"In the post Soviet withdrawal scenario from Afghanistan all these groups both in Afghanistan and Pakistan got banded together for fighting an anti- American, Anti NATO jihad shoulder to shoulder with Taliban According to Hafiz Saeed, in this anti American jihadi Alliances Iranian trained volunteers or Pasdarans have joined in support of their holy war against Washington. According to him, assistance in men that the United States used to get from Pakistan to fight the Soviets, has now joined JuD and other Jihadi forces fighting their battle against American occupation of Afghanistan, " Hassan added.

According to the former envoy, reliable sources close to Hafiz Saeed claim that now America has forced Pakistan Law enforcers to arrest him (Hafiz Saeed ) and his group members to please the Americans who are believed to be seeking Hafiz Saeed services and JuD volunteers to wage a proxy war on their behalf with Iran.

"In his sermon, Hafiz Saeed also revealed that at the behest of his Pakistani handlers he had reined in his Jihadi fighters from carrying on fresh attacks on Indian soldiers in Kashmir till such time when General Bajwa gets disappointed in Imran Khan's efforts to bring India to restart the composite dialogue," Hassan said.

However, as quoted by Hassan, Hafiz Saeed while meeting his followers despite his arrest, conveys to them not to worry, says "It is temporary flirtation of Pakistani leaders to hoodwink the Americans. Once they secure their pound of flesh, the business would be restored to back to usual."

Hassan stresses "those extremist elements believe that the government of Pakistan cannot lay off its claim on Indian held Kashmir and that ultimately Pakistan Army shall have to fall back on the proxy warriors to keep the issue alive and to continue to bleed India slowly to the pleasure of GHQ."

Meanwhile, Hafiz Saeed's arrest became more significant since it was welcomed by President Trump who claimed his success in his arrest in his tweet that after so many years of his efforts Pakistan has finally found Hafiz Saeed and arrested him. Ignorance being bliss for him President Trump did not know how many times in the past too Hafiz Saeed was arrested, tried in court and then released for want of credible evidence against him, said Hassan.

"Khan has been trying to dispel the impression that he has elements within his government who want to play foul. Indeed, his Interior Minister, a retired Brigadier of ISI, who has remained allegedly in cahoots with various extremist groups, continues to be a suspect in Washington after he was found harbouring Daniel Pearl kidnapper Omar Saeed Sheikh. Khan cannot do much about him as Brigadier (r) Ijaz Shah is a nominee of the military in his government with the key portfolio of Interior that gives him overbearing power over intelligence apparatus and law enforcers," Hassan asserted.

Notably, if the Prosecution cannot prove Hafiz Saeed's involvement in terrorist activities, his detention would prove to be nothing more than what is popularly known as "protective custody" in which the arrested person is kept within his house, he does not go out, he can, however, meet anyone he wants to.

Further highlighting the real face of Pakistan's claimed efforts to curb terrorism, Hassan explained, "In Pakistan, the practice so far has been that government bans an organisation one day, the very next day it adopts a new name and becomes operational under the cover of a relief organisation.&nbsp;They are allowed very conveniently by law enforcers to circumvent the government ban on them."

Hassan quoting, Democrat leader State Hillary Clinton said "once (then) US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said it before the Congress that time has shown that such groups cannot be 'managed', nor their inherently violent proclivities turned on and off at will against one's adversary. And that a time comes when snakes that you feed in your backyard bite your hand too. Indeed, that is the lesson Pakistan learnt for its role of raising the Taliban and encouraging cross-border terrorism.

As Pakistan's Imran Khan-government continues to pat its back after arresting UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed, claiming that it is adamant on eradicating terrorism from its soil, the reality is in stark contrast as per former Pakistan Envoy to United Kingdom, Wajid Shamsul Hasan.

As Pakistan's Imran Khan-government continues to pat its back after arresting UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed, claiming that it is adamant on eradicating terrorism from its soil, the reality is in stark contrast as per former Pakistan Envoy to United Kingdom, Wajid Shamsul Hasan. He, in an opinion piece, underlines how the apprehension of the Mumbai terror attack mastermind is a mere eyewash and propaganda exercise to appease the United States. Hasan in an Op-ed published in investigative news portal 'Surkhiyan' writes that "ninth time arrest of the terror group Jamaat-ud-Dawa's chief has a lot to do with Khan's Washington Yatra." "Hafiz's arrest provoked a prompt tweet from no less than President Trump who described his nabbing as a big success for his efforts. Indeed, Hafiz Saeed's case has been very important from an American point of view as well PAKISTAN where he was top of the order proxy warrior in the eyes of the Establishment," he opined. "His arrest on the eve of Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to the US was described as very timely development. It would wipe Trump's tears since Hafiz Saeed, leader of the banned Jamaatud Dawa is a UN-and US-designated global terrorist," he added. Notwithstanding Pakistan's claim that the decision to nab Hafiz Saeed is part of Khan's new strategy to nab extremist elements to improve Pakistan's bargaining position with India and other countries, Hassan in his article unveils the truth behind the arrest of Saeed. Quoting a statement from the horse's mouth i.e. Hafiz Saeed, Hassan said, "In his last Friday sermon before his arrest Hafiz Saeed gave reasons why he was going to be arrested just on the eve of Prime Minister Khan's official visit to Washington." "According to him (Hafiz Saeed) he, his JuD and other likeminded groups who jointly fought with the erstwhile Soviet Union to get it out of Afghanistan and were found by the Americans as most favourable and tenacious proxy fighters for their war against Communist Russia as fodders for their guns. Hafiz Saeed recalled how on his single hundreds of jihadi fighters would collect to offer their fighting services for the Holy Jihad. He reminded his Jumma audience how he and others like him in the holy cause established their network of madaris around the Pak-Afghan border to sustain ready supply of volunteers for the Jihad," Hassan said. "In the post Soviet withdrawal scenario from Afghanistan all these groups both in Afghanistan and Pakistan got banded together for fighting an anti- American, Anti NATO jihad shoulder to shoulder with Taliban According to Hafiz Saeed, in this anti American jihadi Alliances Iranian trained volunteers or Pasdarans have joined in support of their holy war against Washington. According to him, assistance in men that the United States used to get from Pakistan to fight the Soviets, has now joined JuD and other Jihadi forces fighting their battle against American occupation of Afghanistan, " Hassan added. According to the former envoy, reliable sources close to Hafiz Saeed claim that now America has forced Pakistan Law enforcers to arrest him (Hafiz Saeed ) and his group members to please the Americans who are believed to be seeking Hafiz Saeed services and JuD volunteers to wage a proxy war on their behalf with Iran. "In his sermon, Hafiz Saeed also revealed that at the behest of his Pakistani handlers he had reined in his Jihadi fighters from carrying on fresh attacks on Indian soldiers in Kashmir till such time when General Bajwa gets disappointed in Imran Khan's efforts to bring India to restart the composite dialogue," Hassan said. However, as quoted by Hassan, Hafiz Saeed while meeting his followers despite his arrest, conveys to them not to worry, says "It is temporary flirtation of Pakistani leaders to hoodwink the Americans. Once they secure their pound of flesh, the business would be restored to back to usual." Hassan stresses "those extremist elements believe that the government of Pakistan cannot lay off its claim on Indian held Kashmir and that ultimately Pakistan Army shall have to fall back on the proxy warriors to keep the issue alive and to continue to bleed India slowly to the pleasure of GHQ." Meanwhile, Hafiz Saeed's arrest became more significant since it was welcomed by President Trump who claimed his success in his arrest in his tweet that after so many years of his efforts Pakistan has finally found Hafiz Saeed and arrested him. Ignorance being bliss for him President Trump did not know how many times in the past too Hafiz Saeed was arrested, tried in court and then released for want of credible evidence against him, said Hassan. "Khan has been trying to dispel the impression that he has elements within his government who want to play foul. Indeed, his Interior Minister, a retired Brigadier of ISI, who has remained allegedly in cahoots with various extremist groups, continues to be a suspect in Washington after he was found harbouring Daniel Pearl kidnapper Omar Saeed Sheikh. Khan cannot do much about him as Brigadier (r) Ijaz Shah is a nominee of the military in his government with the key portfolio of Interior that gives him overbearing power over intelligence apparatus and law enforcers," Hassan asserted. Notably, if the Prosecution cannot prove Hafiz Saeed's involvement in terrorist activities, his detention would prove to be nothing more than what is popularly known as "protective custody" in which the arrested person is kept within his house, he does not go out, he can, however, meet anyone he wants to. Further highlighting the real face of Pakistan's claimed efforts to curb terrorism, Hassan explained, "In Pakistan, the practice so far has been that government bans an organisation one day, the very next day it adopts a new name and becomes operational under the cover of a relief organisation. They are allowed very conveniently by law enforcers to circumvent the government ban on them." Hassan quoting, Democrat leader State Hillary Clinton said "once (then) US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said it before the Congress that time has shown that such groups cannot be 'managed', nor their inherently violent proclivities turned on and off at will against one's adversary. And that a time comes when snakes that you feed in your backyard bite your hand too. Indeed, that is the lesson Pakistan learnt for its role of raising the Taliban and encouraging cross-border terrorism.

Hafiz Saeed's ninth time arrest, Pakistan's bid to curb terror a mere eyewash, reveals former envoy

Budgam Police in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday filed a charge sheet against six terror associates affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Al-Badr, as per records available with the police.

"The charge sheet was filed before the competent court for a case registered under relevant sections of law against the all six terrorist associates identified as Tanveer Laway, Shahnawaz Bhat, Imtiyaz Bhat, Gulzar Wani, Imtiyaz Bhat and Azad Wani," Jammu and Kashmir Police said in a press release.

"A&nbsp;case was registered for Dalwan (Chahar-e-Sharief) encounter which happened on January 2 this year in which three terrorists affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Al-Badr were killed," it added.&nbsp;

The police said that the subsequent investigations in the case revealed the complexity of these six terrorist associates.&nbsp;

Budgam Police in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday filed a charge sheet against six terror associates affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Al-Badr, as per records available with the police.

Budgam Police in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday filed a charge sheet against six terror associates affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Al-Badr, as per records available with the police. "The charge sheet was filed before the competent court for a case registered under relevant sections of law against the all six terrorist associates identified as Tanveer Laway, Shahnawaz Bhat, Imtiyaz Bhat, Gulzar Wani, Imtiyaz Bhat and Azad Wani," Jammu and Kashmir Police said in a press release. "A case was registered for Dalwan (Chahar-e-Sharief) encounter which happened on January 2 this year in which three terrorists affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Al-Badr were killed," it added. The police said that the subsequent investigations in the case revealed the complexity of these six terrorist associates.

Jammu and Kashmir police files charge sheet against 6 terror associates

India rejects UN's 'Prejudiced' report on J&K. India said UN report showing 'continuation of false narratives.' UN criticises India but won't slam Pak on terror. UN report undermines socio-economic projects in J&K. Watch this video to know more.

India slams UN report on Jammu And Kashmir

Prime minister Narendra Modi focused on terror, healthcare and disaster infrastructure during his intervention at G20 Summit and sideline trilateral and bilateral meets, Suresh Prabhu, India's sherpa for G20 said at a presser at the end of G20 summit.

"India played a proactive, positive, forward-looking role. PM Modi raised many issues of global concerns", he said.

During his intervention at G20 session on "Inequalities: Realising an Inclusive and Sustainable World", PM Modi highlighted "Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas" policy aimed at building an inclusive society.&nbsp;

On disaster resilient infrastructure, PM Modi said, "Disaster resilient infrastructure is required not only for development, but it is also necessary to combat natural calamities. In this regard, I stressed upon the need of an international coalition in the G20 Conference of Buenos Aires. I invite the G20 countries to join this coalition and share their experience and expertise."

Healthcare was also one of PM Modi's focus at G20 with he talking about India's "Ayushman Bharat - world's largest health insurance scheme" and "AYUSH - Alternate and Traditional System of Medicine".

PM Modi also presented his vision of maximising digital technology for society during his intervention at G20 on Digital Economy &amp; Artificial Intelligence. He gave, 5 'I's which are - "Inclusiveness, Indigenization, Innovation, Investment in infrastructure and International cooperation."

Asked why India did not join the Japan led pact on data free flow, Suresh Prabhu said, "PM Modi has communicated the reason to Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe."

During his bilaterals and BRICS, PM Modi raised the issue of terror.&nbsp;

On prime minister's idea of an international conference on terror Ministry of external affair spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "It is an issue which impacts mankind.. whenever PM has raised the topic with world leaders and in a multilateral format, there has been considerable interest and enthusiasm."

Prime minister Narendra Modi focused on terror, healthcare and disaster infrastructure during his intervention at G20 Summit and sideline trilateral and bilateral meets, Suresh Prabhu, India's sherpa for G20 said at a presser at the end of G20 summit.

Prime minister Narendra Modi focused on terror, healthcare and disaster infrastructure during his intervention at G20 Summit and sideline trilateral and bilateral meets, Suresh Prabhu, India's sherpa for G20 said at a presser at the end of G20 summit. "India played a proactive, positive, forward-looking role. PM Modi raised many issues of global concerns", he said. During his intervention at G20 session on "Inequalities: Realising an Inclusive and Sustainable World", PM Modi highlighted "Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas" policy aimed at building an inclusive society. On disaster resilient infrastructure, PM Modi said, "Disaster resilient infrastructure is required not only for development, but it is also necessary to combat natural calamities. In this regard, I stressed upon the need of an international coalition in the G20 Conference of Buenos Aires. I invite the G20 countries to join this coalition and share their experience and expertise." Healthcare was also one of PM Modi's focus at G20 with he talking about India's "Ayushman Bharat - world's largest health insurance scheme" and "AYUSH - Alternate and Traditional System of Medicine". PM Modi also presented his vision of maximising digital technology for society during his intervention at G20 on Digital Economy & Artificial Intelligence. He gave, 5 'I's which are - "Inclusiveness, Indigenization, Innovation, Investment in infrastructure and International cooperation." Asked why India did not join the Japan led pact on data free flow, Suresh Prabhu said, "PM Modi has communicated the reason to Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe." During his bilaterals and BRICS, PM Modi raised the issue of terror. On prime minister's idea of an international conference on terror Ministry of external affair spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "It is an issue which impacts mankind.. whenever PM has raised the topic with world leaders and in a multilateral format, there has been considerable interest and enthusiasm."

PM Modi focused on terror, healthcare and infrastructure at G20 Summit in Osaka: Suresh Prabhu

Ahead of the G20 Summit in Japan, ambassadors from several countries joined WION to discuss the measures required to counter growing terrorism in the world.

Speaking at the&nbsp;WION World Order, Argentina Ambassador Daniel Chuburu said G20 is not the organisation through which we could implement anything. There have been appropriate bodies and other specific forums in other organisation where discussions on minimising terrorism have taken place. Those organisations implement measures that concern terrorism, it is done through those organisation or bilateral agreement or cooperation in that field.

"We are doing as much possible through G20," he said.

Adding that global problems require global answers he said, " there is no way if you do not cooperate on those field".

Meanwhile, the German ambassador to India&nbsp;Walter J Lindner said the financial aspects of terrorism like money laundering, truck dealing should also be checked upon adding that we need to take measures to minimise this in future.

He&nbsp;said all G20 countries have been a victim of terrorism and&nbsp;we have to find a way to protect our citizens and find&nbsp;right answers to terrorism.

He added that the youth should not be radicalised and stressed&nbsp;that unemployment and other means should be eradicated to minimise terrorism.

"We need to take wide variety of&nbsp;measures to prevent that others are not radicalised, "he said.

&nbsp;

Ahead of the G20 Summit in Japan, ambassadors from several countries joined WION to discuss the measures required to counter growing terrorism in the world. Speaking at the WION World Order, Argentina Ambassador Daniel Chuburu said G20 is not the organisation through which we could implement anything.

Ahead of the G20 Summit in Japan, ambassadors from several countries joined WION to discuss the measures required to counter growing terrorism in the world. Speaking at the WION World Order, Argentina Ambassador Daniel Chuburu said G20 is not the organisation through which we could implement anything. There have been appropriate bodies and other specific forums in other organisation where discussions on minimising terrorism have taken place. Those organisations implement measures that concern terrorism, it is done through those organisation or bilateral agreement or cooperation in that field. "We are doing as much possible through G20," he said. Adding that global problems require global answers he said, " there is no way if you do not cooperate on those field". Meanwhile, the German ambassador to India Walter J Lindner said the financial aspects of terrorism like money laundering, truck dealing should also be checked upon adding that we need to take measures to minimise this in future. He said all G20 countries have been a victim of terrorism and we have to find a way to protect our citizens and find right answers to terrorism. He added that the youth should not be radicalised and stressed that unemployment and other means should be eradicated to minimise terrorism. "We need to take wide variety of measures to prevent that others are not radicalised, "he said.

WION World Order: We are doing as much possible through G20 on terrorism, says Argentina Ambassador Daniel Chuburu

The United States President Donald Trump-led administration has taken a tough stand against Pakistan for its "unacceptable support" for terrorism in the region, said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

"Under President Trump, we have taken our defence cooperation to new heights solidifying our common vision in Indo Pacific and has taken a far tougher stand on Pakistan unacceptable support for terrorism," said Pompeo during India Ideas Summit Washington on Wednesday.

The remarks come days after Washington had announced that it has withdrawn its tax exemption programme for Pakistani diplomats.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/modi-hai-to-mumkin-hai-says-pompeo-ahead-of-india-visit-226682">Modi 'hai to mumkin hai', says Pompeo ahead of India visit</a>

The US has already barred Pakistani diplomats working in Washington from travelling outside a 25-kilometre radius around the city without approval.

Last year, Trump suspended US $1.3 billion annual security aid which was given to Pakistan, condemning it over its inaction on the terrorism front.

Focussing on India -US ties under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pompeo asserted that New Delhi and Washington have a unique opportunity to take advantage of it "special partnership".

"When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the United States in 2017, President Trump and Modi shared few hugs and goodwill. PM Modi said it is in Indian interest lies in strong prosperous and successful America. In similar ways India`s development and its growing role at the international level are in the United States of America`s interest as well," he added.

Pompeo`s visit will take place as the two countries get ready for a meeting between Modi and Trump during the G-20 Summit on June 28 and 29 in Osaka, Japan.

Pompeo also said that the US is open for a dialogue to resolve trade differences with India."It`s a partnership of equals is how we see it. In my upcoming visit, we will probably discuss the GSP decision," Pompeo said.&nbsp;

The United States President Donald Trump-led administration has taken a tough stand against Pakistan for its "unacceptable support" for terrorism in the region, said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

The United States President Donald Trump-led administration has taken a tough stand against Pakistan for its "unacceptable support" for terrorism in the region, said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. "Under President Trump, we have taken our defence cooperation to new heights solidifying our common vision in Indo Pacific and has taken a far tougher stand on Pakistan unacceptable support for terrorism," said Pompeo during India Ideas Summit Washington on Wednesday. The remarks come days after Washington had announced that it has withdrawn its tax exemption programme for Pakistani diplomats. Also read: Modi 'hai to mumkin hai', says Pompeo ahead of India visit The US has already barred Pakistani diplomats working in Washington from travelling outside a 25-kilometre radius around the city without approval. Last year, Trump suspended US $1.3 billion annual security aid which was given to Pakistan, condemning it over its inaction on the terrorism front. Focussing on India -US ties under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pompeo asserted that New Delhi and Washington have a unique opportunity to take advantage of it "special partnership". "When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the United States in 2017, President Trump and Modi shared few hugs and goodwill. PM Modi said it is in Indian interest lies in strong prosperous and successful America. In similar ways India`s development and its growing role at the international level are in the United States of America`s interest as well," he added. Pompeo`s visit will take place as the two countries get ready for a meeting between Modi and Trump during the G-20 Summit on June 28 and 29 in Osaka, Japan. Pompeo also said that the US is open for a dialogue to resolve trade differences with India."It`s a partnership of equals is how we see it. In my upcoming visit, we will probably discuss the GSP decision," Pompeo said.

Trump took tough stand against Pak's unacceptable support for terrorism: Pompeo

The Fight Against Terror Is A Global One. But After Many Coalitions, Have They Succeeded In Curtailing The Threat Of Terror

Gravitas: Has the West failed in tackling Terror?

Six militants have been arrested for allegedly collecting funds for terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) in Punjab province, as Pakistani security forces have launched a crackdown on terror financing after mounting pressure from the global community.

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab government arrested the six members of the proscribed organisations from various parts of the province for collecting funds for financing terrorism, CTD spokesman said in a statement.

The CTD said those arrested were collecting funds for terror financing for their proscribed organisations - JeM and LeJ. No member of any proscribed organisation wil allowed to collect funds for financing terrorism and extremism under the law of land,? the CTD said in a statement.

Cases have been registered against the suspects under anti-terrorism law for committing offences of terrorism financing.

Muhammad Zahid and Irfan Ahmad of JeM were arrested from Gujranwala, and Zafar Iqbal of JeM from Rawalpindi. Similarly, Muhammad Hanzala and Hamza of LeJ were arrested from Lahore while Ijaz Ahmad of the same banned organisation from Multan.&nbsp;

Paris-based international terror financing watchdog FATF in June last year placed Pakistan onto its watch list in a bid to push the country to halt support for militant groups.

In February, the FATF decided to continue the 'Grey' listing of Pakistan for its failure to stop funding of terrorist groups such as the JeM, the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the JuD.

The Pakistan government have arrested over 100 members of banned outfits including JeM chief Masood Azhar's son and brother and also taken control of JeM, JuD and FIF's properties including seminaries and mosques across the country.

The crackdown came amid tensions with India following a suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14 by the JeM that killed 40 CRPF soldiers.

The Pakistan government has termed the action in accordance with the National Action Plan and meeting the obligations of the FATF.

Six militants have been arrested for allegedly collecting funds for terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) in Punjab province, as Pakistani security forces have launched a crackdown on terror financing after mounting pressure from the global community.

Six militants have been arrested for allegedly collecting funds for terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) in Punjab province, as Pakistani security forces have launched a crackdown on terror financing after mounting pressure from the global community. The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab government arrested the six members of the proscribed organisations from various parts of the province for collecting funds for financing terrorism, CTD spokesman said in a statement. The CTD said those arrested were collecting funds for terror financing for their proscribed organisations - JeM and LeJ. No member of any proscribed organisation wil allowed to collect funds for financing terrorism and extremism under the law of land,? the CTD said in a statement. Cases have been registered against the suspects under anti-terrorism law for committing offences of terrorism financing. Muhammad Zahid and Irfan Ahmad of JeM were arrested from Gujranwala, and Zafar Iqbal of JeM from Rawalpindi. Similarly, Muhammad Hanzala and Hamza of LeJ were arrested from Lahore while Ijaz Ahmad of the same banned organisation from Multan. Paris-based international terror financing watchdog FATF in June last year placed Pakistan onto its watch list in a bid to push the country to halt support for militant groups. In February, the FATF decided to continue the 'Grey' listing of Pakistan for its failure to stop funding of terrorist groups such as the JeM, the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the JuD. The Pakistan government have arrested over 100 members of banned outfits including JeM chief Masood Azhar's son and brother and also taken control of JeM, JuD and FIF's properties including seminaries and mosques across the country. The crackdown came amid tensions with India following a suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14 by the JeM that killed 40 CRPF soldiers. The Pakistan government has termed the action in accordance with the National Action Plan and meeting the obligations of the FATF.

Pakistan arrests six for collecting funds for Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sounded an alert about plans of terrorist outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) making permanent bases within 10 kilometres of the India-Bangladesh border in the eastern states of Tripura, Assam and West Bengal.

A gazette notification, issued by the MHA Joint Secretary Piyush Goyal on Thursday, said the terror outfit has also plans of "spreading its network in south India with an overarching motive to establish Caliphate in the Indian subcontinent."

The notification said the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh or Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Indian or Jamaat-ul- Mujahideen Hindustan are in the list of 41 terror organisations, already banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

The JMB and its sister formations such as the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Hindustan have committed acts of terrorism, promoted acts of terrorism and have been engaged in radicalisation and recruitment of youths for terrorist activities in India, the notification said.

The terror outfit was also found involved in recruitment and raising funds for terrorist activities, procurement of explosives, chemicals and assembling of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), it said.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had earlier confirmed involvement of JMB cadre in Burdwan bomb blast on October 2, 2014 and Bodh Gaya blasts on January 19, 2018.

The Assam police also found involvement of the JMB in five cases and arrested 565 JMB suspects, it said.

In January, the MHA added Al-Qaida in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), ISIS Wilayat Khorasan, Islamic State of Iraq, Sham- Khorasan (ISIS-K) and the Khalistan Liberation Force among the list of terrorist organisations banned under the UAPA.

In March, a suspected terrorist belonging to the JMB was arrested by the Tripura police from a rented house at Arundhatinagar here.

Director General of Tripura Police Akhil Kumar Shukla had earlier said the suspected JMB terrorist, identified as Nazir Sheikh, hailed from Murshidabad district of West Bengal and had links with many other terror outfits in India.

He was interrogated by a joint team of NIA, military intelligence and officials of the special branch of the Tripura police.

India and Bangladesh share 4,156-km-long border with Bangladesh, that passes through five states -- West Bengal (2,217 km), Tripura (856 km), Meghalaya (443 km), Assam (262 km) and Mizoram (180 km).

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sounded an alert about plans of terrorist outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) making permanent bases within 10 kilometres of the India-Bangladesh border in the eastern states of Tripura, Assam and West Bengal.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sounded an alert about plans of terrorist outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) making permanent bases within 10 kilometres of the India-Bangladesh border in the eastern states of Tripura, Assam and West Bengal. A gazette notification, issued by the MHA Joint Secretary Piyush Goyal on Thursday, said the terror outfit has also plans of "spreading its network in south India with an overarching motive to establish Caliphate in the Indian subcontinent." The notification said the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh or Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Indian or Jamaat-ul- Mujahideen Hindustan are in the list of 41 terror organisations, already banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The JMB and its sister formations such as the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Hindustan have committed acts of terrorism, promoted acts of terrorism and have been engaged in radicalisation and recruitment of youths for terrorist activities in India, the notification said. The terror outfit was also found involved in recruitment and raising funds for terrorist activities, procurement of explosives, chemicals and assembling of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), it said. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had earlier confirmed involvement of JMB cadre in Burdwan bomb blast on October 2, 2014 and Bodh Gaya blasts on January 19, 2018. The Assam police also found involvement of the JMB in five cases and arrested 565 JMB suspects, it said. In January, the MHA added Al-Qaida in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), ISIS Wilayat Khorasan, Islamic State of Iraq, Sham- Khorasan (ISIS-K) and the Khalistan Liberation Force among the list of terrorist organisations banned under the UAPA. In March, a suspected terrorist belonging to the JMB was arrested by the Tripura police from a rented house at Arundhatinagar here. Director General of Tripura Police Akhil Kumar Shukla had earlier said the suspected JMB terrorist, identified as Nazir Sheikh, hailed from Murshidabad district of West Bengal and had links with many other terror outfits in India. He was interrogated by a joint team of NIA, military intelligence and officials of the special branch of the Tripura police. India and Bangladesh share 4,156-km-long border with Bangladesh, that passes through five states -- West Bengal (2,217 km), Tripura (856 km), Meghalaya (443 km), Assam (262 km) and Mizoram (180 km).

Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh planning to set up permanent bases in eastern states: MHA

France and New Zealand have announced an initiative to eliminate terror and extremist content online in the aftermath of the Christchurch attack on March 15 at a meet in Paris. Over 51 people died in the mosque attack. It was live-streamed on Facebook.&nbsp;

The Initiative "The Christchurch Call to Action To Eliminate Terrorist and Violent Extremist Content Online" is backed by several countries such as Norway, Senegal, Canada, Jordan, UK, Indonesia, Australia, Germany, Japan, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden.

India also supported the initiative with India's IT secretary Ajay Prakash Sawhney present during its adoption. US won't be joining the initiative according to US media reports.

While the initiative calls for "collective, voluntary commitments from governments and online service providers" to address the issue of terrorist and violent extremist content online but within the "principles of a free, open and secure internet without compromising human rights and fundamental freedoms".

A number of global tech giants also took part in the adoption of the initiative in Paris--these include Microsoft, Google, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

The online service providers in the initiative to combat online extremist content committed to, "closing accounts where appropriate" and "implement immediate, effective measures to mitigate the specific risk that terrorist and violent extremist content is disseminated through live streaming."

Steps have earlier been taken to address the issue such as at the European Union Internet Forum, the G20, and the G7 including work underway during France’s G7 Presidency on combating the use of the internet for terrorist and violent extremist purposes.

France and New Zealand have announced an initiative to eliminate terror and extremist content online in the aftermath of the Christchurch attack on March 15 at a meet in Paris.

France and New Zealand have announced an initiative to eliminate terror and extremist content online in the aftermath of the Christchurch attack on March 15 at a meet in Paris. Over 51 people died in the mosque attack. It was live-streamed on Facebook. The Initiative "The Christchurch Call to Action To Eliminate Terrorist and Violent Extremist Content Online" is backed by several countries such as Norway, Senegal, Canada, Jordan, UK, Indonesia, Australia, Germany, Japan, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden. India also supported the initiative with India's IT secretary Ajay Prakash Sawhney present during its adoption. US won't be joining the initiative according to US media reports. While the initiative calls for "collective, voluntary commitments from governments and online service providers" to address the issue of terrorist and violent extremist content online but within the "principles of a free, open and secure internet without compromising human rights and fundamental freedoms". A number of global tech giants also took part in the adoption of the initiative in Paris--these include Microsoft, Google, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. The online service providers in the initiative to combat online extremist content committed to, "closing accounts where appropriate" and "implement immediate, effective measures to mitigate the specific risk that terrorist and violent extremist content is disseminated through live streaming." Steps have earlier been taken to address the issue such as at the European Union Internet Forum, the G20, and the G7 including work underway during France’s G7 Presidency on combating the use of the internet for terrorist and violent extremist purposes.

India backs France, New Zealand initiative to eliminate terror content online

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/facebook-co-founder-says-it-is-time-to-break-up-the-company-217297">Facebook</a> is unwittingly auto-generating content for terror-linked groups that its artificial intelligence systems do not recognise as extremist, according to a complaint made public on Thursday.

The National Whistleblowers Center in Washington carried out a five-month study of the pages of 3,000 members who liked or connected to organisations proscribed as terrorist by the US government.

Researchers found that the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda were "openly" active on the social network.

More worryingly, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-removes-more-pages-tied-to-russian-operators-216645/amp">Facebook</a>'s own software was automatically creating "celebration" and "memories" videos for extremist pages that had amassed sufficient views or "likes."

The Whistleblower's Center said it filed a complaint with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of a source that preferred to remain anonymous.

"Facebook's efforts to stamp out terror content have been weak and ineffectual," read an executive summary of the 48-page document shared by the center.

"Of even greater concern, Facebook itself has been creating and promoting terror content with its auto-generate technology."

Survey results shared in the complaint indicated that Facebook was not delivering on its claims about eliminating extremist posts or accounts.

The company told AFP it had been removing terror-linked content "at a far higher success rate than even two years go" since making heavy investments in technology.

"We don't claim to find everything and we remain vigilant in our efforts against terrorist groups around the world," the company said.

Facebook and other social media platforms have been under fire for not doing enough to curb messages of hate and violence, while at the same time criticised for failing to offer equal time for all viewpoints, no matter how unpleasant.

Facebook in March announced bans at the social network and Instagram on praise or support for white nationalism and white separatism.

 
&nbsp;

Facebook is unwittingly auto-generating content for terror-linked groups that its artificial intelligence systems do not recognise as extremist, according to a complaint made public on Thursday.

Facebook is unwittingly auto-generating content for terror-linked groups that its artificial intelligence systems do not recognise as extremist, according to a complaint made public on Thursday. The National Whistleblowers Center in Washington carried out a five-month study of the pages of 3,000 members who liked or connected to organisations proscribed as terrorist by the US government. Researchers found that the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda were "openly" active on the social network. More worryingly, the Facebook's own software was automatically creating "celebration" and "memories" videos for extremist pages that had amassed sufficient views or "likes." The Whistleblower's Center said it filed a complaint with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of a source that preferred to remain anonymous. "Facebook's efforts to stamp out terror content have been weak and ineffectual," read an executive summary of the 48-page document shared by the center. "Of even greater concern, Facebook itself has been creating and promoting terror content with its auto-generate technology." Survey results shared in the complaint indicated that Facebook was not delivering on its claims about eliminating extremist posts or accounts. The company told AFP it had been removing terror-linked content "at a far higher success rate than even two years go" since making heavy investments in technology. "We don't claim to find everything and we remain vigilant in our efforts against terrorist groups around the world," the company said. Facebook and other social media platforms have been under fire for not doing enough to curb messages of hate and violence, while at the same time criticised for failing to offer equal time for all viewpoints, no matter how unpleasant. Facebook in March announced bans at the social network and Instagram on praise or support for white nationalism and white separatism.

Facebook 'unwittingly' auto-generating terror content: US Whistleblower centre

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