Donald Trump said Saturday he will try a controversial "snapback" to force a return of UN sanctions against Iran, after the Security Council rejected Washington's bid to extend the arms embargo against the Islamic republic.

"We'll be doing a snapback," the president said, referring to the contested argument that the US remains a "participant" in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal — despite Trump's withdrawal from it — and therefore can force a return to sanctions if it sees Iran as being in violation of its terms.

The president added that the US will make its move next week.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-may-probably-not-attend-putins-urgent-iran-summit-320868">Also read:&nbsp;Trump may 'probably not' attend Putin's 'urgent' Iran summit</a>

Washington's defeat at the Security Council on Friday highlighted its isolation on Iran since Trump withdrew from the accord in 2018.

Only two of the Council's 15 members voted in favor of the US resolution.&nbsp;

Washington's European allies all abstained, Russia and China voted against it, and Iran mocked the Trump administration for winning the support of just one other country, the Dominican Republic.

Trump argued Saturday that Iran was a "different ballgame" now, and that the country no longer has the funds to sponsor terror.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/edward-snowden-asks-to-return-to-the-us-trump-to-take-a-look-at-pardoning-320867">Also read:&nbsp;Edward Snowden asks to return to the US; Trump to 'take a look' at pardoning</a>

"Iran wants me to lose so badly" in November's presidential election, he added.

If Trump follows through, the snapback could plunge the Council into one of its worst-ever diplomatic crises, experts warn.&nbsp;

European allies have been skeptical on whether Washington can force sanctions and say the attempt may delegitimize the Security Council.

The embargo on conventional arms is due to expire on October 18.

Donald Trump said Saturday he will try a controversial "snapback" to force a return of UN sanctions against Iran, after the Security Council rejected Washington's bid to extend the arms embargo against the Islamic republic.

Donald Trump said Saturday he will try a controversial "snapback" to force a return of UN sanctions against Iran, after the Security Council rejected Washington's bid to extend the arms embargo against the Islamic republic. "We'll be doing a snapback," the president said, referring to the contested argument that the US remains a "participant" in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal — despite Trump's withdrawal from it — and therefore can force a return to sanctions if it sees Iran as being in violation of its terms. The president added that the US will make its move next week. Also read: Trump may 'probably not' attend Putin's 'urgent' Iran summit Washington's defeat at the Security Council on Friday highlighted its isolation on Iran since Trump withdrew from the accord in 2018. Only two of the Council's 15 members voted in favor of the US resolution. Washington's European allies all abstained, Russia and China voted against it, and Iran mocked the Trump administration for winning the support of just one other country, the Dominican Republic. Trump argued Saturday that Iran was a "different ballgame" now, and that the country no longer has the funds to sponsor terror. Also read: Edward Snowden asks to return to the US; Trump to 'take a look' at pardoning "Iran wants me to lose so badly" in November's presidential election, he added. If Trump follows through, the snapback could plunge the Council into one of its worst-ever diplomatic crises, experts warn. European allies have been skeptical on whether Washington can force sanctions and say the attempt may delegitimize the Security Council. The embargo on conventional arms is due to expire on October 18.

Trump says will try 'snapback' to force return of UN Iran sanctions

A policewoman and two government employees were killed by terrorists in two Afghan provinces on Thursday, the latest in a string of targetted attacks in the country, sources said on Friday.

In northern Kunduz province, terrorists broke into a house, pulling a female police officer out and killing her on the spot, Mohammad Yousuf Ayubi from Kunduz Provincial Council told Xinhua.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-authorities-begin-release-of-dangerous-taliban-prisoners-320396">Also read:&nbsp;Afghan authorities begin release of 'dangerous' Taliban prisoners</a>

The deceased served in the provincial airport and an investigation has been launched into the incident, the source added.

In the second attack, two engineers of the National Water Affairs Regulation Authority, a department of the country`s Ministry of Power and Water, were killed after gunmen ambushed a vehicle in eastern Parwan province, local media Khaama Press reported.

On July 27, UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a report that civilian casualties in Afghanistan decreased 13 per cent in the first six months of 2020 in comparison with the same period last year.

A total of 1,282 civilians were killed and 2,176 others wounded during the period, according to the report.

Targetted attacks were the third cause of civilian casualties after ground engagements and the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by the Taliban, the report indicated.

At least 30 people were killed in targetted attacks in the country last month.

A policewoman and two government employees were killed by terrorists in two Afghan provinces on Thursday, the latest in a string of targetted attacks in the country, sources said on Friday.

A policewoman and two government employees were killed by terrorists in two Afghan provinces on Thursday, the latest in a string of targetted attacks in the country, sources said on Friday. In northern Kunduz province, terrorists broke into a house, pulling a female police officer out and killing her on the spot, Mohammad Yousuf Ayubi from Kunduz Provincial Council told Xinhua. Also read: Afghan authorities begin release of 'dangerous' Taliban prisoners The deceased served in the provincial airport and an investigation has been launched into the incident, the source added. In the second attack, two engineers of the National Water Affairs Regulation Authority, a department of the country`s Ministry of Power and Water, were killed after gunmen ambushed a vehicle in eastern Parwan province, local media Khaama Press reported. On July 27, UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a report that civilian casualties in Afghanistan decreased 13 per cent in the first six months of 2020 in comparison with the same period last year. A total of 1,282 civilians were killed and 2,176 others wounded during the period, according to the report. Targetted attacks were the third cause of civilian casualties after ground engagements and the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by the Taliban, the report indicated. At least 30 people were killed in targetted attacks in the country last month.

Policewoman, two govt staff killed in targeted attacks in Afghanistan

In an early morning operation on Wednesday, a joint team of security forces have killed a Jaish-e-Muhammad terrorist while an Indian army man was killed in action during an encounter in Kamrazipora area of Pulwama district.

Indian army said that an AK rifle with grenades and other material have been recovered from the location. “One soldier laid down his life in the line of duty,” Srinagar based defence PRO said.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/india-news/centre-allows-4g-internet-services-on-trial-basis-in-two-jk-districts-after-august-15-319673" hreflang="en">Centre allows 4G internet services on trial basis in two J&amp;K districts after August 15</a>

Meanwhile, Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Handwara have arrested an active Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists after receiving information about the plan of attack.&nbsp;

J&amp;K police said that terrorists were planning an attack and through ground investigation, a joint team of special operations group, Indian army and CRPF arrested a terrorist identified as Aquib Ahmad Rather.&nbsp;

“Incriminating materials including arms and ammunitions were recovered from his&nbsp;&nbsp;possession. Regarding the incident Case FIR No. 77/2020 U/S 7/25 I. A.&nbsp;&nbsp;Act, 13 18, 20 ULA(P)&nbsp;&nbsp;Act registered in Police Station Kralgund and investigation taken up,” police said.&nbsp;

In an early morning operation on Wednesday, a joint team of security forces have killed a Jaish-e-Muhammad terrorist while an Indian army man was killed in action during an encounter in Kamrazipora area of Pulwama district.

In an early morning operation on Wednesday, a joint team of security forces have killed a Jaish-e-Muhammad terrorist while an Indian army man was killed in action during an encounter in Kamrazipora area of Pulwama district. Indian army said that an AK rifle with grenades and other material have been recovered from the location. “One soldier laid down his life in the line of duty,” Srinagar based defence PRO said. Also read: Centre allows 4G internet services on trial basis in two J&K districts after August 15 Meanwhile, Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Handwara have arrested an active Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists after receiving information about the plan of attack. J&K police said that terrorists were planning an attack and through ground investigation, a joint team of special operations group, Indian army and CRPF arrested a terrorist identified as Aquib Ahmad Rather. “Incriminating materials including arms and ammunitions were recovered from his possession. Regarding the incident Case FIR No. 77/2020 U/S 7/25 I. A. Act, 13 18, 20 ULA(P) Act registered in Police Station Kralgund and investigation taken up,” police said.

Terrorist killed, one arrested in two operations in Kashmir

The world has been facing an omnipresent enemy called terrorism. India recently raised the issue at United Nations Security Council. Major General (Retd) Shashi Asthana explains what this means.

Video opinion: Terrorism and the global response to it

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday referred to a massive explosion in Lebanon’s capital city Beirut as a possible attack, and extended help to the country.

Trump said that he had spoken to US military officials about the attack, who believed that it caused by a “bomb of some kind”.

According to Lebanon’s interior minister, highly explosive material which was seized years ago and was stored at the port had blown up, causing the deaths of at least 78 people, and injuring thousands.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-from-massive-explosion-in-beirut-rises-to-78-pm-says-those-responsible-will-pay-318197" hreflang="en">Death toll from explosion in Beirut rises to 78; PM vows to make culprits pay</a>

"It would seem like it based on the explosion, I met with some of our great generals and they just seem to feel that it was. This was not a some kind of a manufacturing explosion type of event. This was a seems to be according to them, they would know better than I would, but they seemed to think it was an attack. It was a bomb of some kind. Yes”, the US president said.

The president also offered his sympathies to the people of Lebanon.

"Let me begin by sending America's deepest sympathies to the people of Lebanon, where reports indicate that many, many people were killed, hundreds more were very badly wounded in a large explosion in Beirut. Our prayers go out to all the victims and their families. The United States stands ready to assist Lebanon, a very good relationship with the people of Lebanon. And we will be there to help. It looks like a terrible attack”, he said at a press briefing.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/beirut-blast-indian-mission-in-lebanon-in-touch-with-indian-community-318188" hreflang="en">Beirut blast: Indian mission in Lebanon in touch with Indian community</a>

According to local officials, the death toll is expected to increase, with authorities digging through rubble to find more corpses. Been seen as the most powerful explosion to hit Beirut in years, it is a major blow the country already suffering because of coronavirus and an economic crisis.

Michel Aoun, the president has claimed that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate was being stored for six years with no safety measures, calling it “unacceptable”.

While calling an emergency cabinet meeting, the leader suggested imposing a state of emergency in the country for two weeks.

The blast hit the city at 6 pm local time (1500 GMT), following which a fire continue to blaze across the port district, which cast an orange glow in the night sky.

The buzzing of helicopters, and ambulance sirens could be heard in the city.

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday referred to a massive explosion in Lebanon’s capital city Beirut as a possible attack, and extended help to the country.

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday referred to a massive explosion in Lebanon’s capital city Beirut as a possible attack, and extended help to the country. Trump said that he had spoken to US military officials about the attack, who believed that it caused by a “bomb of some kind”. According to Lebanon’s interior minister, highly explosive material which was seized years ago and was stored at the port had blown up, causing the deaths of at least 78 people, and injuring thousands. Also read: Death toll from explosion in Beirut rises to 78; PM vows to make culprits pay "It would seem like it based on the explosion, I met with some of our great generals and they just seem to feel that it was. This was not a some kind of a manufacturing explosion type of event. This was a seems to be according to them, they would know better than I would, but they seemed to think it was an attack. It was a bomb of some kind. Yes”, the US president said. The president also offered his sympathies to the people of Lebanon. "Let me begin by sending America's deepest sympathies to the people of Lebanon, where reports indicate that many, many people were killed, hundreds more were very badly wounded in a large explosion in Beirut. Our prayers go out to all the victims and their families. The United States stands ready to assist Lebanon, a very good relationship with the people of Lebanon. And we will be there to help. It looks like a terrible attack”, he said at a press briefing. Also read: Beirut blast: Indian mission in Lebanon in touch with Indian community According to local officials, the death toll is expected to increase, with authorities digging through rubble to find more corpses. Been seen as the most powerful explosion to hit Beirut in years, it is a major blow the country already suffering because of coronavirus and an economic crisis. Michel Aoun, the president has claimed that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate was being stored for six years with no safety measures, calling it “unacceptable”. While calling an emergency cabinet meeting, the leader suggested imposing a state of emergency in the country for two weeks. The blast hit the city at 6 pm local time (1500 GMT), following which a fire continue to blaze across the port district, which cast an orange glow in the night sky. The buzzing of helicopters, and ambulance sirens could be heard in the city.

Trump promises to assist Lebanon, calls the Beirut explosion an 'attack'

Afghanistan will convene a grand assembly of elders, known as the loya jirga, in Kabul on Friday to decide the fate of hundreds of prisoners the Taliban insist should be released before entering peace talks with the government.

A pact reached by U.S. and Taliban negotiators in Doha in February had agreed that 5,000 Taliban prisoners should be released from Afghan jails as a precondition to the militant movement holding talks with the government.

President Ashraf Ghani's government has released all but 400, saying their crimes were too grave.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="/videos/afghanistan-government-orders-release-of-500-taliban-inmates-317494" hreflang="en">Afghanistan government orders release of 500 Taliban inmates</a>

On Sunday, it declared a loya jirga, a traditional consultative gathering of elders, community leaders and politicians was needed to debate what to do with the remaining prisoners. And on Tuesday, the government fixed the date.

"These 400 are those who have been convicted in killings from two to 40 people, drug trafficking, those sentenced to death and involved in major crimes, including kidnapping," Sediq Sediqqi, a spokesman for the president, said.

He said a loya jirga, regarded in the constitutional as the highest expression of the Afghan people, was required as the president was not empowered to release prisoners convicted of such crimes.

Held under a giant tent, the loya jirga is a centuries-old institution used to build consensus among competing tribes, factions and ethnic groups and to discuss matters of national importance, traditionally convened under extraordinary circumstances.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/south-asia/at-least-24-dead-in-mass-jailbreak-in-afghanistan-scores-of-prisoners-flee-317759" hreflang="en">At least 24 dead in mass jailbreak in Afghanistan, scores of prisoners flee</a>

On Sunday, as the government and Taliban were observing the last day of three-day ceasefire for Muslim Eid holidays, Islamic State militants launched a brazen attack at a prison in eastern Nangarhar province and freed hundreds of inmates.

The violence comes at a sensitive time for Afghanistan as the U.S. attempts to usher a peace deal between Afghan government and the Taliban to end 19-year-old war.&nbsp;

Since the U.S.-Taliban agreement in Febuary, 3,560 Afghan security forces personnel have been killed in attacks by militants, thousands more have been wounded, Ghani said last week.

In the same week, U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a report that more than 1,280 Afghan civilians had been killed in the first six months of the year, mainly as a result of fighting between Afghan government forces and Taliban insurgents.&nbsp;

Afghanistan will convene a grand assembly of elders, known as the loya jirga, in Kabul on Friday to decide the fate of hundreds of prisoners the Taliban insist should be released before entering peace talks with the government.

Afghanistan will convene a grand assembly of elders, known as the loya jirga, in Kabul on Friday to decide the fate of hundreds of prisoners the Taliban insist should be released before entering peace talks with the government. A pact reached by U.S. and Taliban negotiators in Doha in February had agreed that 5,000 Taliban prisoners should be released from Afghan jails as a precondition to the militant movement holding talks with the government. President Ashraf Ghani's government has released all but 400, saying their crimes were too grave. Also see: Afghanistan government orders release of 500 Taliban inmates On Sunday, it declared a loya jirga, a traditional consultative gathering of elders, community leaders and politicians was needed to debate what to do with the remaining prisoners. And on Tuesday, the government fixed the date. "These 400 are those who have been convicted in killings from two to 40 people, drug trafficking, those sentenced to death and involved in major crimes, including kidnapping," Sediq Sediqqi, a spokesman for the president, said. He said a loya jirga, regarded in the constitutional as the highest expression of the Afghan people, was required as the president was not empowered to release prisoners convicted of such crimes. Held under a giant tent, the loya jirga is a centuries-old institution used to build consensus among competing tribes, factions and ethnic groups and to discuss matters of national importance, traditionally convened under extraordinary circumstances. Also read: At least 24 dead in mass jailbreak in Afghanistan, scores of prisoners flee On Sunday, as the government and Taliban were observing the last day of three-day ceasefire for Muslim Eid holidays, Islamic State militants launched a brazen attack at a prison in eastern Nangarhar province and freed hundreds of inmates. The violence comes at a sensitive time for Afghanistan as the U.S. attempts to usher a peace deal between Afghan government and the Taliban to end 19-year-old war. Since the U.S.-Taliban agreement in Febuary, 3,560 Afghan security forces personnel have been killed in attacks by militants, thousands more have been wounded, Ghani said last week. In the same week, U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a report that more than 1,280 Afghan civilians had been killed in the first six months of the year, mainly as a result of fighting between Afghan government forces and Taliban insurgents.

Afghan grand assembly to decide fate of Taliban prisoners on Friday

Belarus said Thursday it had opened a criminal probe into planned acts of terror by Russian mercenaries held ahead of presidential polls, adding that it was tracking down dozens more.

The ex-Soviet country's security services on Wednesday arrested a group of 32 Russian fighters as well as one other man in a different location.

Belarus security council chief Andrei Ravkov said a criminal probe had been launched and that the men face charges of preparing "terrorist acts".

"Thirty-three have been detained, there are up to 200 or thereabouts on the territory (of Belarus)," Ravkov said.

He said "a search is going on" to find the others, complaining that it was "like looking for needles in a haystack."

Belarus's KGB security service said the detained men were members of the Wagner group, a shadowy private military firm reportedly controlled by an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin which promotes Moscow's interests in Ukraine, Syria and Libya.&nbsp;

The arrests came ahead of presidential polls on August 9 in which strongman Alexander Lukashenko is seeking a sixth term.&nbsp;

Lukashenko has detained would-be opposition candidates and their supporters.

Protests have erupted across the ex-Soviet country of 9.5 million people, with a 37-year-old woman political novice, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, quickly emerging as Lukashenko's main rival.

Lukashenko has accused some of his critics of being controlled by "puppeteers" in Moscow.

Lukashenko rivals warned

Ravkov spoke after meeting the candidates standing against Lukashenko, including Tikhanovskaya, and warning them that security measures would be stepped up at rallies.

State news agency Belta said the authorities had received information about the arrival of 200 fighters in Belarus "to destabilise the situation during the election campaign".

Lukashenko at an emergency meeting of his security council on Wednesday demanded an explanation from Moscow.

"If they are guilty, it's necessary to emerge out of this situation with dignity," Lukashenko said in televised remarks.

Russian Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev said Thursday that he had been invited to the Belarusian foreign ministry that morning to discuss the case, Russian news agencies reported.

Russia is Minsk's closest political and economic ally but relations have been strained.

The Belta news agency said the detained Russians sported "military-style clothing" and carried heavy cases.

It also reported that the alleged militants gave themselves away because unlike ordinary Russian tourists, they did not drink.

"They did not consume alcohol or visit entertainment venues. They kept to themselves in order not to attract attention," Belta said, adding that the men stayed at one of the country's spas.

National television showed several Russian passports that allegedly belong to the detained men, as well as stacks of dollar bills, packets of condoms and pieces of paper with Arabic script.

The men appeared to also have Sudanese pounds in their possession.

Russian author Zakhar Prilepin, who fought alongside Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, said he knew some of the detained men.

Writing on Facebook, Prilepin suggested that the fighters probably used Belarus as a transit point and were en route to "some other destination," which he said Belarus "surely knows very well".

Unlike Russia, Belarus has not enforced a lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic and operates flights as usual.

&nbsp;

Belarus said Thursday it had opened a criminal probe into planned acts of terror by Russian mercenaries held ahead of presidential polls, adding that it was tracking down dozens more.

Belarus said Thursday it had opened a criminal probe into planned acts of terror by Russian mercenaries held ahead of presidential polls, adding that it was tracking down dozens more. The ex-Soviet country's security services on Wednesday arrested a group of 32 Russian fighters as well as one other man in a different location. Belarus security council chief Andrei Ravkov said a criminal probe had been launched and that the men face charges of preparing "terrorist acts". "Thirty-three have been detained, there are up to 200 or thereabouts on the territory (of Belarus)," Ravkov said. He said "a search is going on" to find the others, complaining that it was "like looking for needles in a haystack." Belarus's KGB security service said the detained men were members of the Wagner group, a shadowy private military firm reportedly controlled by an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin which promotes Moscow's interests in Ukraine, Syria and Libya. The arrests came ahead of presidential polls on August 9 in which strongman Alexander Lukashenko is seeking a sixth term. Lukashenko has detained would-be opposition candidates and their supporters. Protests have erupted across the ex-Soviet country of 9.5 million people, with a 37-year-old woman political novice, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, quickly emerging as Lukashenko's main rival. Lukashenko has accused some of his critics of being controlled by "puppeteers" in Moscow. Lukashenko rivals warned Ravkov spoke after meeting the candidates standing against Lukashenko, including Tikhanovskaya, and warning them that security measures would be stepped up at rallies. State news agency Belta said the authorities had received information about the arrival of 200 fighters in Belarus "to destabilise the situation during the election campaign". Lukashenko at an emergency meeting of his security council on Wednesday demanded an explanation from Moscow. "If they are guilty, it's necessary to emerge out of this situation with dignity," Lukashenko said in televised remarks. Russian Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev said Thursday that he had been invited to the Belarusian foreign ministry that morning to discuss the case, Russian news agencies reported. Russia is Minsk's closest political and economic ally but relations have been strained. The Belta news agency said the detained Russians sported "military-style clothing" and carried heavy cases. It also reported that the alleged militants gave themselves away because unlike ordinary Russian tourists, they did not drink. "They did not consume alcohol or visit entertainment venues. They kept to themselves in order not to attract attention," Belta said, adding that the men stayed at one of the country's spas. National television showed several Russian passports that allegedly belong to the detained men, as well as stacks of dollar bills, packets of condoms and pieces of paper with Arabic script. The men appeared to also have Sudanese pounds in their possession. Russian author Zakhar Prilepin, who fought alongside Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, said he knew some of the detained men. Writing on Facebook, Prilepin suggested that the fighters probably used Belarus as a transit point and were en route to "some other destination," which he said Belarus "surely knows very well". Unlike Russia, Belarus has not enforced a lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic and operates flights as usual.

Belarus probes Russian mercenaries for 'terror' plot

More than 1,280 Afghan civilians have been killed in the first six months of the year as fighting rages in Afghanistan despite a pact between the United States and Taliban militants, the United Nations said on Monday.

The violence, mainly between Afghan government forces and the Taliban, killed 1,282 and injured 2,176 for a tally of 3,458 civilian casualties, the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a report.

"The reality remains that Afghanistan continues to be one of the deadliest conflicts in the world for civilians," it said in the mid-year report.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-push-to-control-private-companies-aid-agencies-in-afghanistan-316358">Also read: Taliban push to control private companies, aid agencies in Afghanistan</a>

Despite a drop of 13% in casualties from the corresponding period last year, UNAMA said the Taliban continued to cause the majority of civilian casualties, mainly through use of explosive devices, abductions and summary executions.

The Taliban were responsible for 43 per cent of all civilian casualties and government forces caused 23 per cent, chiefly from air strikes and indirect fire during operations, it added.

The UNAMA attributed the 13 per cent drop to fewer operations by international forces, as well as fewer attacks by Islamic State militants.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-accuses-afghan-govt-of-re-arresting-freed-insurgents-316115">Also read:&nbsp;Taliban accuses Afghan govt of re-arresting freed insurgents</a>

In February, the United States and the Taliban signed an agreement in Doha, laying out plans for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan in exchange for security guarantees from the militants.

However, fighting has spiked in recent weeks, prompted by differences over an exchange of prisoners between the Taliban and Afghan government, as Kabul proved reluctant to free hundreds of jailed militants.

The Doha deal provided for the government to release 5,000 Taliban prisoners in exchange for hundreds of Afghan troops, the main plank in starting peace negotiations between the two sides in the effort to end the 18-year-old war.

While the Afghan government has released more than 4,000 Taliban prisoners, it has refused to release another 600, saying they were involved in murder, illicit drug trafficking and major attacks.

More than 1,280 Afghan civilians have been killed in the first six months of the year as fighting rages in Afghanistan despite a pact between the United States and Taliban militants, the United Nations said on Monday.

More than 1,280 Afghan civilians have been killed in the first six months of the year as fighting rages in Afghanistan despite a pact between the United States and Taliban militants, the United Nations said on Monday. The violence, mainly between Afghan government forces and the Taliban, killed 1,282 and injured 2,176 for a tally of 3,458 civilian casualties, the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a report. "The reality remains that Afghanistan continues to be one of the deadliest conflicts in the world for civilians," it said in the mid-year report. Also read: Taliban push to control private companies, aid agencies in Afghanistan Despite a drop of 13% in casualties from the corresponding period last year, UNAMA said the Taliban continued to cause the majority of civilian casualties, mainly through use of explosive devices, abductions and summary executions. The Taliban were responsible for 43 per cent of all civilian casualties and government forces caused 23 per cent, chiefly from air strikes and indirect fire during operations, it added. The UNAMA attributed the 13 per cent drop to fewer operations by international forces, as well as fewer attacks by Islamic State militants. Also read: Taliban accuses Afghan govt of re-arresting freed insurgents In February, the United States and the Taliban signed an agreement in Doha, laying out plans for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan in exchange for security guarantees from the militants. However, fighting has spiked in recent weeks, prompted by differences over an exchange of prisoners between the Taliban and Afghan government, as Kabul proved reluctant to free hundreds of jailed militants. The Doha deal provided for the government to release 5,000 Taliban prisoners in exchange for hundreds of Afghan troops, the main plank in starting peace negotiations between the two sides in the effort to end the 18-year-old war. While the Afghan government has released more than 4,000 Taliban prisoners, it has refused to release another 600, saying they were involved in murder, illicit drug trafficking and major attacks.

UN says nearly 3,500 Afghans killed or hurt in first half of 2020

The US Justice Department has used terrorism charges for the first time to indict a member of the notoriously violent MS-13 gang.

Attorney General Bill Barr announced the charges against Salvador-based gang leader Armando Eliu Melgar Diaz at a White House event meant to highlight the Trump administration's efforts to crack down on the group, on Wednesday.

The Justice Department accused Diaz with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to cross-border terror acts, along with narco-terror financing and other charges. He was further accused of directing MS-13 activities in the US East Coast region, ordering and approving numerous murders and overseeing drug deals while collecting payments from around 20 local MS-13 cliques.

The department did not explain why it was using terror charges for the first time against the gang, but it noted that the Salvadoran government had designated MS-13 a terror group.

Diaz lived illegally in the United States, mostly in Virginia, from 2003 to 2016 when he was deported. After that, he became the gang's main coordinator for its eastern US operations based in El Salvador.&nbsp;

He is currently under arrest in El Salvador, facing charges of drug trafficking and conspiracy to commit murder.

Meanwhile, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday the indictments of 21 MS-13 members in New York and Nevada who belong to US operations separate from those run by Diaz.

Charges against those involved include murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking and weapons violations.&nbsp;

The Justice Department also said it would seek the death penalty for a notorious MS-13 hit man in New York, Alexi Saenz, who was indicted in 2017 for seven murders.

(with inputs from AFP)

The US Justice Department has used terrorism charges for the first time to indict a member of the notoriously violent MS-13 gang. Attorney General Bill Barr announced the charges against Salvador-based gang leader Armando Eliu Melgar Diaz at a White House event meant to highlight the Trump administration's efforts to crack down on the group, on Wednesday.

The US Justice Department has used terrorism charges for the first time to indict a member of the notoriously violent MS-13 gang. Attorney General Bill Barr announced the charges against Salvador-based gang leader Armando Eliu Melgar Diaz at a White House event meant to highlight the Trump administration's efforts to crack down on the group, on Wednesday. The Justice Department accused Diaz with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to cross-border terror acts, along with narco-terror financing and other charges. He was further accused of directing MS-13 activities in the US East Coast region, ordering and approving numerous murders and overseeing drug deals while collecting payments from around 20 local MS-13 cliques. The department did not explain why it was using terror charges for the first time against the gang, but it noted that the Salvadoran government had designated MS-13 a terror group. Diaz lived illegally in the United States, mostly in Virginia, from 2003 to 2016 when he was deported. After that, he became the gang's main coordinator for its eastern US operations based in El Salvador. He is currently under arrest in El Salvador, facing charges of drug trafficking and conspiracy to commit murder. Meanwhile, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday the indictments of 21 MS-13 members in New York and Nevada who belong to US operations separate from those run by Diaz. Charges against those involved include murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking and weapons violations. The Justice Department also said it would seek the death penalty for a notorious MS-13 hit man in New York, Alexi Saenz, who was indicted in 2017 for seven murders. (with inputs from AFP)

In a first, US charges MS-13 leader with terror

The gunman behind New Zealand's Christchurch mosque shootings sacked his lawyers Monday and opted to represent himself, raising fears he would use a sentencing hearing next month to promote his white-supremacist views. 
 
Australian national Brenton Tarrant will be sentenced on August 24 on 51 murder convictions, 40 of attempted murder and one of terrorism arising from last year's massacre, the worst mass shooting in New Zealand's modern history. 
 
He has pleaded guilty to the charges.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/christchurch-shootings-shooter-pleads-guilty-to-killing-51-people-in-mosque-attack-288599" hreflang="en">Christchurch shootings: Shooter pleads guilty to killing 51 people in mosque attack</a> 
 
At a pre-sentencing hearing on Monday, High Court judge Cameron Mander allowed Tarrant's lawyers, Shane Tait and Jonathan Hudson, to withdraw from proceedings at the request of their client. 
 
However, the judge ordered "standby counsel" to be available next month in case Tarrant -- who appeared in the Christchurch court via video link from an Auckland prison -- changes his mind. 
 
New Zealand Muslim Association president Ikhlaq Kashkari questioned Tarrant's motives, saying victims could be re-traumatised if the gunman were allowed to spout far-right rhetoric from the dock. 
 
"My first concern when I read this was 'Oh my God, what's this guy up to, is he going to use this as a platform to promote his views and thoughts?'," he told AFP. 
 
"A lot of people are still going through trauma and this was seen as one of those events that would give them closure. I hope it's not going to be something that will trigger more pain instead."

'He wants attention' 
In March 2019, Tarrant gunned down Muslim worshippers during Friday prayers at two Christchurch mosques, live-streaming the killings as he went. 
 
His victims included children, women and the elderly. 
 
The former gym instructor unexpectedly reversed his not-guilty plea in March this year, removing the need for a lengthy trial.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/australia-blocks-websites-hosting-christchurch-attack-videos-248564" hreflang="en">Australia blocks websites hosting Christchurch attack videos</a> 
 
The terror and murder charges all carry life sentences, setting a minimum non-parole period of 17 years while also giving the judge power to imprison without the possibility of release. New Zealand does not have the death penalty. 
 
Survivors and the families of victims will be present during the three-day sentencing hearing and Islamic Women's Council of New Zealand spokeswoman Anjum Rahman said many would not want to hear from Tarrant. 
 
While she did not want to speculate on Tarrant's motive for representing himself, she said: "He has shown in the past that he likes to get attention and he wants attention. 
 
"I feel this is all part of that mindset."

The gunman behind New Zealand's Christchurch mosque shootings sacked his lawyers Monday and opted to represent himself, raising fears he would use a sentencing hearing next month to promote his white-supremacist views.

The gunman behind New Zealand's Christchurch mosque shootings sacked his lawyers Monday and opted to represent himself, raising fears he would use a sentencing hearing next month to promote his white-supremacist views. Australian national Brenton Tarrant will be sentenced on August 24 on 51 murder convictions, 40 of attempted murder and one of terrorism arising from last year's massacre, the worst mass shooting in New Zealand's modern history. He has pleaded guilty to the charges. Also read: Christchurch shootings: Shooter pleads guilty to killing 51 people in mosque attack At a pre-sentencing hearing on Monday, High Court judge Cameron Mander allowed Tarrant's lawyers, Shane Tait and Jonathan Hudson, to withdraw from proceedings at the request of their client. However, the judge ordered "standby counsel" to be available next month in case Tarrant -- who appeared in the Christchurch court via video link from an Auckland prison -- changes his mind. New Zealand Muslim Association president Ikhlaq Kashkari questioned Tarrant's motives, saying victims could be re-traumatised if the gunman were allowed to spout far-right rhetoric from the dock. "My first concern when I read this was 'Oh my God, what's this guy up to, is he going to use this as a platform to promote his views and thoughts?'," he told AFP. "A lot of people are still going through trauma and this was seen as one of those events that would give them closure. I hope it's not going to be something that will trigger more pain instead." 'He wants attention' In March 2019, Tarrant gunned down Muslim worshippers during Friday prayers at two Christchurch mosques, live-streaming the killings as he went. His victims included children, women and the elderly. The former gym instructor unexpectedly reversed his not-guilty plea in March this year, removing the need for a lengthy trial. Also read: Australia blocks websites hosting Christchurch attack videos The terror and murder charges all carry life sentences, setting a minimum non-parole period of 17 years while also giving the judge power to imprison without the possibility of release. New Zealand does not have the death penalty. Survivors and the families of victims will be present during the three-day sentencing hearing and Islamic Women's Council of New Zealand spokeswoman Anjum Rahman said many would not want to hear from Tarrant. While she did not want to speculate on Tarrant's motive for representing himself, she said: "He has shown in the past that he likes to get attention and he wants attention. "I feel this is all part of that mindset."

New Zealand mosque shooter to represent himself at sentencing

WION exclusively speaks to the citizens who suffer due to terrorism in the valley. Many of them lost their lives due to terrorism promoted by Pakistan.

Story of terror victims; Those who suffer due to Pakistan

Hitting out at Pakistan for peddling "false narratives" against it, India has asked Islamabad that it must introspect about why it is universally acknowledged as the "international epicentre" of terrorism and the "best safe haven for terrorists."

Mahaveer Singhvi, head of the Indian delegation, made the comments at a webinar "The Global Scourge of Terrorism: Assessment of High-Risk Threats and Trends, including the rise of Violent Extremism and Hate Speech in a Pandemic Environment' on Tuesday during the ongoing virtual Counter-Terrorism Week.

"While the world is coming together to battle the pandemic, it is unfortunate that Pakistan, a state which sponsors cross border terrorism, continues to use every opportunity to peddle false narratives and make baseless, malicious and egregious allegations against India and interfere in our internal affairs," he said.

"The international community should call upon Pakistan to take sustained, verifiable and irreversible actions against terror outfits operating on the territory under its control. Pakistan must introspect upon why it is universally acknowledged as the international epicentre of terrorism and the best safe haven for terrorists," Singhvi said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amidst-covid-19-pakistan-continues-to-support-terror-says-india-at-united-nations-311477">Also read |&nbsp;Amidst Covid-19, Pakistan continues to support terror says India at United Nations</a>

Slamming Islamabad for raising India's domestic policies and internal affairs, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, he said even as Pakistan provides shelter and support to terrorists, it continues to peddle false and motivated narrative on the situation in the Union Territory.

"It is seeking to portray its military, financial, logistical support to cross border terrorism against India as a freedom struggle. It is also peddling misinformation about India's domestic legislation and policies," he said.

If Pakistan wishes to be taken seriously in the fight against the "even more destructive virus of terrorism," it must look inward and live up to its commitments and abandon its "divisionary tactics," he said.

While Pakistan conveniently blames others, it "turns a blind eye" to the human rights violations in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and territories of Jammu and Kashmir illegally occupied by it, he said.

"It has also systematically and consistently discriminated against its religious and cultural minorities," Singhvi said, adding that reports of forced conversions, attacks on religious places of minorities, including Ahmedias, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan are well known to the world.

"India is the largest democracy in the world where all faiths receive equal treatment, as mandated by the Constitution. Members from minority communities have held high offices in India, including presidents and prime ministers. Pakistan, being a theocratic State, may find it difficult to fathom India's secular credentials.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-summons-indian-diplomat-over-firing-along-loc-311075">Also read |&nbsp;Pakistan summons Indian diplomat over firing along LoC</a>

"The least Pakistan could do" is to look into its own sorry state of affairs and put its house in order before pointing fingers at others and spewing venom against the democratically-elected Indian government and its leaders," he said.

He also slammed Pakistan's "ludicrous" statement claiming credit for eliminating Al Qaeda from its territory, saying it is "indeed ironic", considering its leader Osama bin Laden, "has recently been glorified as a martyr, by none other than the Prime Minister of Pakistan on the floor of their Parliament".This is a chilling reminder of the patronage that the international terrorists receive in Pakistan."

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan had publicly acknowledged the presence of up to 40,000 terrorists in Pakistan and that terrorists from there have attacked neighbouring countries.

He also cited a recent report by the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the UN Security Council stating that around 6,500 Pakistani terrorists belonging to Jaish-i-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba are operating in Afghanistan.

"Pakistan's role as epicentre of terrorism has been well documented by numerous international organisations" including the UN and the Financial Action Task Force.

"Unlike Pakistan, India does not make any distinction between terrorists and invariably condemns terror attacks anywhere in the world," including the recent Karachi attack, he said.

Recalling the 2008 attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul by a Pakistan-supported terrorist group that claimed several lives, he said, "it is very unfortunate that a country which perpetrated terrorist attacks in Mumbai (2008), Pathankot (2016), Uri and Pulwama is now preaching to the world community."

He said India continues to face the scourge of state-sponsored cross border terrorism. 
"Terrorists have made innumerable attempts to infiltrate into our country from their safe abodes across the border to carry out attacks and have even used unmanned aerial systems to smuggle weapons across our borders," he said.

Globally, there have been "malevolent attempts" by terrorists to exploit the distress caused by lockdowns and disturb cohesiveness of societies, he said, adding that the increased presence of people online has been targeted by terrorists to spread misinformation through hate speeches, fake news and doctored videos.

Terror groups have also exhorted supporters to target security forces and health workers and proscribed terrorist outfits are collecting funds under the garb of charitable activities to finance terror.

"As the world grapples with COVID-19, it is important to augment international legal frameworks to coherently fight against terrorists, whose disruptive activities continued and, in fact, increased during the pandemic," he said. 
&nbsp;

Hitting out at Pakistan for peddling "false narratives" against it, India has asked Islamabad that it must introspect about why it is universally acknowledged as the "international epicentre" of terrorism and the "best safe haven for terrorists.

Hitting out at Pakistan for peddling "false narratives" against it, India has asked Islamabad that it must introspect about why it is universally acknowledged as the "international epicentre" of terrorism and the "best safe haven for terrorists." Mahaveer Singhvi, head of the Indian delegation, made the comments at a webinar "The Global Scourge of Terrorism: Assessment of High-Risk Threats and Trends, including the rise of Violent Extremism and Hate Speech in a Pandemic Environment' on Tuesday during the ongoing virtual Counter-Terrorism Week. "While the world is coming together to battle the pandemic, it is unfortunate that Pakistan, a state which sponsors cross border terrorism, continues to use every opportunity to peddle false narratives and make baseless, malicious and egregious allegations against India and interfere in our internal affairs," he said. "The international community should call upon Pakistan to take sustained, verifiable and irreversible actions against terror outfits operating on the territory under its control. Pakistan must introspect upon why it is universally acknowledged as the international epicentre of terrorism and the best safe haven for terrorists," Singhvi said. Also read | Amidst Covid-19, Pakistan continues to support terror says India at United Nations Slamming Islamabad for raising India's domestic policies and internal affairs, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, he said even as Pakistan provides shelter and support to terrorists, it continues to peddle false and motivated narrative on the situation in the Union Territory. "It is seeking to portray its military, financial, logistical support to cross border terrorism against India as a freedom struggle. It is also peddling misinformation about India's domestic legislation and policies," he said. If Pakistan wishes to be taken seriously in the fight against the "even more destructive virus of terrorism," it must look inward and live up to its commitments and abandon its "divisionary tactics," he said. While Pakistan conveniently blames others, it "turns a blind eye" to the human rights violations in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and territories of Jammu and Kashmir illegally occupied by it, he said. "It has also systematically and consistently discriminated against its religious and cultural minorities," Singhvi said, adding that reports of forced conversions, attacks on religious places of minorities, including Ahmedias, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan are well known to the world. "India is the largest democracy in the world where all faiths receive equal treatment, as mandated by the Constitution. Members from minority communities have held high offices in India, including presidents and prime ministers. Pakistan, being a theocratic State, may find it difficult to fathom India's secular credentials. Also read | Pakistan summons Indian diplomat over firing along LoC "The least Pakistan could do" is to look into its own sorry state of affairs and put its house in order before pointing fingers at others and spewing venom against the democratically-elected Indian government and its leaders," he said. He also slammed Pakistan's "ludicrous" statement claiming credit for eliminating Al Qaeda from its territory, saying it is "indeed ironic", considering its leader Osama bin Laden, "has recently been glorified as a martyr, by none other than the Prime Minister of Pakistan on the floor of their Parliament".This is a chilling reminder of the patronage that the international terrorists receive in Pakistan." He said Prime Minister Imran Khan had publicly acknowledged the presence of up to 40,000 terrorists in Pakistan and that terrorists from there have attacked neighbouring countries. He also cited a recent report by the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the UN Security Council stating that around 6,500 Pakistani terrorists belonging to Jaish-i-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba are operating in Afghanistan. "Pakistan's role as epicentre of terrorism has been well documented by numerous international organisations" including the UN and the Financial Action Task Force. "Unlike Pakistan, India does not make any distinction between terrorists and invariably condemns terror attacks anywhere in the world," including the recent Karachi attack, he said. Recalling the 2008 attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul by a Pakistan-supported terrorist group that claimed several lives, he said, "it is very unfortunate that a country which perpetrated terrorist attacks in Mumbai (2008), Pathankot (2016), Uri and Pulwama is now preaching to the world community." He said India continues to face the scourge of state-sponsored cross border terrorism. "Terrorists have made innumerable attempts to infiltrate into our country from their safe abodes across the border to carry out attacks and have even used unmanned aerial systems to smuggle weapons across our borders," he said. Globally, there have been "malevolent attempts" by terrorists to exploit the distress caused by lockdowns and disturb cohesiveness of societies, he said, adding that the increased presence of people online has been targeted by terrorists to spread misinformation through hate speeches, fake news and doctored videos. Terror groups have also exhorted supporters to target security forces and health workers and proscribed terrorist outfits are collecting funds under the garb of charitable activities to finance terror. "As the world grapples with COVID-19, it is important to augment international legal frameworks to coherently fight against terrorists, whose disruptive activities continued and, in fact, increased during the pandemic," he said.

Pak must introspect why it's universally acknowledged as 'epicentre' of terrorism: India at UN

A former BJP Bandipora district president and current in charge of training wing for the part in Kashmir Waseem Bari has been killed along with father and&nbsp;a young brother in a terrorist attack.&nbsp;

The J&amp;K police have told WION that terrorists&nbsp;fired at them when all of them were at a shop outside their house.&nbsp;

”The family is protected by a component of 8 personnel but none were present at the time of the incident, so we are arresting them,” Vijay Kumar, IG Kashmir told WION.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The injured were shifted to a local hospital where they succumbed to their injuries.&nbsp;

A former BJP Bandipora district president and current in charge of training wing for the part in Kashmir Waseem Bari has been killed along with father and a young brother in a terrorist attack.

A former BJP Bandipora district president and current in charge of training wing for the part in Kashmir Waseem Bari has been killed along with father and a young brother in a terrorist attack. The J&K police have told WION that terrorists fired at them when all of them were at a shop outside their house. ”The family is protected by a component of 8 personnel but none were present at the time of the incident, so we are arresting them,” Vijay Kumar, IG Kashmir told WION. The injured were shifted to a local hospital where they succumbed to their injuries.

BJP leader, his brother and father killed in terror attack in J&K's Bandipora

In Kashmir, over the years Pakistan sponsored terrorism has claimed several innocent lives. Some were the sole breadwinners while others lost their sons and fathers to terrorism. Watch WION Ground report from Kashmir.

WION Dispatch: The ugly reality of 'Jihad' in Kashmir | Pakistan terrorism

In Kashmir, Pakistan sponsored terrorism over the years has claimed several innocent lives, some were sole breadwinners while others lost their sons and fathers to terrorism. Now, many of them are speaking and explaining their miseries. We profile some who have suffered for years in Kashmir.&nbsp;

SAJID YUSUF:

<img alt="SAJID" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d27be10b-b5a3-4160-ae82-b902d5930aa3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%284%29_55.jpg" />

Sajid Yusuf was 8-year-old when an incident changed his life forever and stole his childhood. Hailing from north Kashmir's Kupwara district, he says he saw his mother's blood on the walls after she was shot in the eye by terrorists just when his uncle was killed outside his house.&nbsp;

Sajid still remembers putting soil on his mother's grave when he was too young to understand pain. A 17-year-old event still sends shivers down his spine but now he shares grief with many like him who lost their loved ones to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

"When I spoke to many families like mine, I didn't feel an orphan. Here, someone's brother, son, or daughter has been killed but everything is decided by who dies of whose bullet. There is selective condemnation in Kashmir,"&nbsp;Sajid Yusuf, terror victim says.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

TANVEER AHMAD BHAT:

<img alt="TANVEER" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="525375f7-31b6-4ee8-8f67-ad932b8e2be1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_69.jpg" />

Tanveer Ahmad Bhat's father was working with the special operations group, a strong anti-terror group formed in Jammu and Kashmir during the peak of terrorism in the valley in 1994. The aim of the group was to uproot terrorism from the erstwhile state.&nbsp;

In 1998, Tanveer says he was en route to his work when terrorists from the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terror group attacked his vehicle and killed him. "22-years have passed no one came for our help. I ran from pillar to post to get some kind of help for my family but no one helped us," says the visibly angry son.&nbsp;

He complains why no relief was provided to the family.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

ALI MOHAMMAD SHEIKH:

<img alt="ALI" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c6debb99-f53d-445e-a66a-c89ef5ad69f0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_140.jpg" />

On April 30, 2018, three youth in their 20s were shot dead&nbsp;by Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists in the Old Town area of Baramulla district, among them was Ali Mohammad's son.&nbsp;

Ali is old now and still struggles to narrate the horror that his family has been witness to. He says he&nbsp;has been finding it hard to manage his house due to poor earnings, adding that his son's killing made life miserable, as his eyes turn moist.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"My son would earn and we would eat. I have other kids too but it's very hard to earn a living in lockdown, no one came for our help. One of the killers of my son was later arrested and is behind bars," Ali says.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

MOHAMMAD YUSUF AHANGAR:

<img alt="scj" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="db76b356-ae31-4666-86d0-4530b649ed1a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29_95.jpg" />

Yusuf's son, Sameer, managed a shop, which was the only means of earning for the family, near the deputy commissioner's office in Baramulla. One evening, a phone call asked him to come out only to get killed. His sick father says Sameer was shot with two bullets for no reason by terrorists.&nbsp;

"Our shop is closed for two years now. We have been running from one office to another, just to get some relief but no one is coming for our rescue," says Yusuf.&nbsp;

In Kashmir, Pakistan sponsored terrorism over the years has claimed several innocent lives, some were sole breadwinners while others lost their sons and fathers to terrorism.

In Kashmir, Pakistan sponsored terrorism over the years has claimed several innocent lives, some were sole breadwinners while others lost their sons and fathers to terrorism. Now, many of them are speaking and explaining their miseries. We profile some who have suffered for years in Kashmir. SAJID YUSUF: Sajid Yusuf was 8-year-old when an incident changed his life forever and stole his childhood. Hailing from north Kashmir's Kupwara district, he says he saw his mother's blood on the walls after she was shot in the eye by terrorists just when his uncle was killed outside his house. Sajid still remembers putting soil on his mother's grave when he was too young to understand pain. A 17-year-old event still sends shivers down his spine but now he shares grief with many like him who lost their loved ones to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. "When I spoke to many families like mine, I didn't feel an orphan. Here, someone's brother, son, or daughter has been killed but everything is decided by who dies of whose bullet. There is selective condemnation in Kashmir," Sajid Yusuf, terror victim says. TANVEER AHMAD BHAT: Tanveer Ahmad Bhat's father was working with the special operations group, a strong anti-terror group formed in Jammu and Kashmir during the peak of terrorism in the valley in 1994. The aim of the group was to uproot terrorism from the erstwhile state. In 1998, Tanveer says he was en route to his work when terrorists from the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terror group attacked his vehicle and killed him. "22-years have passed no one came for our help. I ran from pillar to post to get some kind of help for my family but no one helped us," says the visibly angry son. He complains why no relief was provided to the family. ALI MOHAMMAD SHEIKH: On April 30, 2018, three youth in their 20s were shot dead by Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists in the Old Town area of Baramulla district, among them was Ali Mohammad's son. Ali is old now and still struggles to narrate the horror that his family has been witness to. He says he has been finding it hard to manage his house due to poor earnings, adding that his son's killing made life miserable, as his eyes turn moist. "My son would earn and we would eat. I have other kids too but it's very hard to earn a living in lockdown, no one came for our help. One of the killers of my son was later arrested and is behind bars," Ali says. MOHAMMAD YUSUF AHANGAR: Yusuf's son, Sameer, managed a shop, which was the only means of earning for the family, near the deputy commissioner's office in Baramulla. One evening, a phone call asked him to come out only to get killed. His sick father says Sameer was shot with two bullets for no reason by terrorists. "Our shop is closed for two years now. We have been running from one office to another, just to get some relief but no one is coming for our rescue," says Yusuf.

Kashmiri terror victims narrate their ordeal

The Afghan National Army on Sunday has killed seven Taliban terrorists and injured four other in the central province of Uruzgan.

The news was announced by a spokesman of the 205th Atal Corps. The incident took place after the terrorists launched attack on the military posts.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/critics-of-us-taliban-deal-say-militants-cant-be-trusted-310748">Also read:&nbsp;Critics of US-Taliban deal say militants can't be trusted</a>

"Taliban insurgents attacked Afghan National Army posts in the districts of Trinkot, Khas Uruzgan, and Chora in central Uruzgan province last night. Seven insurgents were killed and four others suffered injuries," Sadiq Issa said.

Security forces in Kandahar province killed five Taliban terrorists after the militant organisation launched attacks on checkpoints on the same evening.

Five Taliban terrorists were also killed in the Kandahar province on the same evening, after a similar attack took place.&nbsp;

Taliban has not yet issued a statement about this incident.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Afghan National Army on Sunday has killed seven Taliban terrorists and injured four other in the central province of Uruzgan. The news was announced by a spokesman of the 205th Atal Corps.

The Afghan National Army on Sunday has killed seven Taliban terrorists and injured four other in the central province of Uruzgan. The news was announced by a spokesman of the 205th Atal Corps. The incident took place after the terrorists launched attack on the military posts. Also read: Critics of US-Taliban deal say militants can't be trusted "Taliban insurgents attacked Afghan National Army posts in the districts of Trinkot, Khas Uruzgan, and Chora in central Uruzgan province last night. Seven insurgents were killed and four others suffered injuries," Sadiq Issa said. Security forces in Kandahar province killed five Taliban terrorists after the militant organisation launched attacks on checkpoints on the same evening. Five Taliban terrorists were also killed in the Kandahar province on the same evening, after a similar attack took place. Taliban has not yet issued a statement about this incident. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghan forces kill Taliban terrorists after clash at military checkpoints

By Arie Perliger

As US&nbsp;politics heat up in advance of the November election, it’s not surprising that extremist groups across the political spectrum are becoming more active and engaged in acts of political violence.

A growing number of scholars and policymakers suggest this problem should be dealt with by designating violent groups as “domestic terrorist” organizations.

Like most students of American extremism, I agree that some members of domestic extremist groups do engage in terrorist acts – using violence to spread fear among targeted groups of people, with the aim of promoting political objectives. Nonetheless, as someone who has studied democracies’ response to domestic terrorism for almost 20 years, I believe that legally designating domestic extremist groups as terrorist organizations will have limited benefits, if any at all.

What is domestic terrorism 
 
There is not a formal legal definition of a domestic terrorist group, the way there is for international terrorism.

A federal law and a presidential executive order allow the government to designate groups as foreign terrorist organizations. Most scholars agree that some American far-right groups are involved in foreign conflicts, and others communicate with foreign groups. But that is not enough to be considered a foreign organization: American extremists do not have permanent logistical, operational and leadership apparatus abroad.

The law, or the executive order, could be revised or replaced in ways that would cover U.S.-based groups.

But the real problem is that designating specific groups as terrorists doesn’t actually curb terrorism.

Too little organization 
 
Many acts of far-right violence are perpetrated by individuals, not organized groups. These people may be loosely associated with, or perhaps supporters or online followers of, far-right movements. But they usually operate independently, without help or involvement from others. My research has shown that in many cases, the acts of violence aren’t even planned in advance.

In any case, the two major contemporary extremist movements which attracted calls to designate them as terrorist organizations, the “boogaloo” movement on the right and antifa on the left, both lack any hierarchy or central coordination and, therefore, don’t fit the criteria of a formal organization.

No real effect on operations 
 
There are several organizations that the U.S. has designated as “terrorists” over the years – including Hamas, Hezbollah, FARC, Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Islamic State group and its affiliates. Being named to the list subjects a group and its supporters to certain legal, administrative and financial sanctions: Americans who give them money, for instance, can be imprisoned. Non-Americans who are deemed members can be deported from the U.S. or denied permission to enter the country. Banks can be ordered to seize the group’s funds.

Despite decades on the list, though, many of these groups are still flourishing. Some are even powerful enough to be dominant political movements in their regions or hold territory outside the control of national governments.

Others of these groups appear to have disappeared, but really didn’t. Kahane Chai, for instance, was an Israeli organization that advocated violence against Palestinians in the West Bank in order to ensure Jewish control of what its members considered part of the Jewish homeland. The U.S. State Department designated it a terrorist group in 1997. Kahane Chai is no longer operating, but many of its members are active in other associations, promoting a similar ideology and engaging in violence.

Similar dynamics are also visible among American extremist movements. In my book on the American far right, I explain that after the Aryan Nations, the most prominent white supremacy group of its time, collapsed in the late 1990s, most of its members dispersed and joined other organizations. The American far-right community was largely unaffected.

Also in the late 1990s, many states passed anti-militia laws, seeking to limit the American militia movement in the wake of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing by Timothy McVeigh, who was linked to the Michigan Militia and similar groups in Arizona. The state laws banned people from gathering to practice military-style training, and had a limited effect for about a decade. But in the last 15 years, a second wave of militias has emerged, which actually seems to be more popular, more organized and more capable of mobilizing members than their predecessors.

Most domestic groups remain decentralized, small and without formal structure, even if they coordinate with like-minded people online. The few groups that are more organized tend to split, merge or change their names frequently. In my view, that’s too fragmented a situation for any formal terrorist designation to have much use. A better solution would be to advance policies that can slow political polarization and counter the development of extremist beliefs in the first place.

(Arie Perliger is Director of Security Studies and Professor, University of Massachusetts Lowell) 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-domestic-terrorist-designation-wont-stop-extremism-141258">original article</a>) &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

By Arie Perliger As US politics heat up in advance of the November election, it’s not surprising that extremist groups across the political spectrum are becoming more active and engaged in acts of political violence.

By Arie Perliger As US politics heat up in advance of the November election, it’s not surprising that extremist groups across the political spectrum are becoming more active and engaged in acts of political violence. A growing number of scholars and policymakers suggest this problem should be dealt with by designating violent groups as “domestic terrorist” organizations. Like most students of American extremism, I agree that some members of domestic extremist groups do engage in terrorist acts – using violence to spread fear among targeted groups of people, with the aim of promoting political objectives. Nonetheless, as someone who has studied democracies’ response to domestic terrorism for almost 20 years, I believe that legally designating domestic extremist groups as terrorist organizations will have limited benefits, if any at all. What is domestic terrorism There is not a formal legal definition of a domestic terrorist group, the way there is for international terrorism. A federal law and a presidential executive order allow the government to designate groups as foreign terrorist organizations. Most scholars agree that some American far-right groups are involved in foreign conflicts, and others communicate with foreign groups. But that is not enough to be considered a foreign organization: American extremists do not have permanent logistical, operational and leadership apparatus abroad. The law, or the executive order, could be revised or replaced in ways that would cover U.S.-based groups. But the real problem is that designating specific groups as terrorists doesn’t actually curb terrorism. Too little organization Many acts of far-right violence are perpetrated by individuals, not organized groups. These people may be loosely associated with, or perhaps supporters or online followers of, far-right movements. But they usually operate independently, without help or involvement from others. My research has shown that in many cases, the acts of violence aren’t even planned in advance. In any case, the two major contemporary extremist movements which attracted calls to designate them as terrorist organizations, the “boogaloo” movement on the right and antifa on the left, both lack any hierarchy or central coordination and, therefore, don’t fit the criteria of a formal organization. No real effect on operations There are several organizations that the U.S. has designated as “terrorists” over the years – including Hamas, Hezbollah, FARC, Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Islamic State group and its affiliates. Being named to the list subjects a group and its supporters to certain legal, administrative and financial sanctions: Americans who give them money, for instance, can be imprisoned. Non-Americans who are deemed members can be deported from the U.S. or denied permission to enter the country. Banks can be ordered to seize the group’s funds. Despite decades on the list, though, many of these groups are still flourishing. Some are even powerful enough to be dominant political movements in their regions or hold territory outside the control of national governments. Others of these groups appear to have disappeared, but really didn’t. Kahane Chai, for instance, was an Israeli organization that advocated violence against Palestinians in the West Bank in order to ensure Jewish control of what its members considered part of the Jewish homeland. The U.S. State Department designated it a terrorist group in 1997. Kahane Chai is no longer operating, but many of its members are active in other associations, promoting a similar ideology and engaging in violence. Similar dynamics are also visible among American extremist movements. In my book on the American far right, I explain that after the Aryan Nations, the most prominent white supremacy group of its time, collapsed in the late 1990s, most of its members dispersed and joined other organizations. The American far-right community was largely unaffected. Also in the late 1990s, many states passed anti-militia laws, seeking to limit the American militia movement in the wake of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing by Timothy McVeigh, who was linked to the Michigan Militia and similar groups in Arizona. The state laws banned people from gathering to practice military-style training, and had a limited effect for about a decade. But in the last 15 years, a second wave of militias has emerged, which actually seems to be more popular, more organized and more capable of mobilizing members than their predecessors. Most domestic groups remain decentralized, small and without formal structure, even if they coordinate with like-minded people online. The few groups that are more organized tend to split, merge or change their names frequently. In my view, that’s too fragmented a situation for any formal terrorist designation to have much use. A better solution would be to advance policies that can slow political polarization and counter the development of extremist beliefs in the first place. (Arie Perliger is Director of Security Studies and Professor, University of Massachusetts Lowell) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article)

The ‘domestic terrorist’ designation won’t stop extremism

Pakistan's Prime Minister on Wednesday, while addressing the Parliament,&nbsp;called Osama Bin Laden a&nbsp;‘shaheed’ (martyr).

The usage of the word 'shaheed', which is usually used for soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the good of their nation, gathered a lot of criticism from the opposition leaders and the locals of Pakistan.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-calls-osama-bin-laden-a-martyr-in-parliament-308587">Also read:&nbsp;Pakistan PM Imran Khan calls Osama Bin Laden a 'martyr' in Parliament</a>

Opposition political leader Khawaja Asif, described Laden as the “ultimate terrorist” and said,&nbsp;“He destroyed my nation, and he (Khan) is calling him a martyr."

Mohsin Dawar, Member of Parliament and&nbsp;leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, also lashed back at the Prime Minister and reminded the PM about the numerous victims and soldiers who lost their lives due to the terrorist activities in the country.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Today in NA, I asked <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImranKhanPTI</a>, that if <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OBL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OBL</a> is a martyr then what about all the Pakistanis who became victims of his terrorism? What abt those soldiers who died fighting against his terror? Which side are our martyrs? Please stop these double games that've cost us 70K lives. <a href="https://t.co/Vv1emupP08">pic.twitter.com/Vv1emupP08</a>
— Mohsin Dawar (@mjdawar) <a href="https://twitter.com/mjdawar/status/1276231733881589761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Bilwal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of PPP, also said, "PM IK calling OBL a martyr in NA is consistent with his history of appeasement to violent extremism. It is during his govt that those involved in APS attack “escaped” &amp; those involved in Daniel Pearls murder get relief. Running with the hare &amp; hunting with the hound."

However, Khan's minister&nbsp;Dr. Shahbaz Gill tried to come to his defense by tweeting that the remarks were being misread with a "clear intent to make his remarks controversial unnecessarily."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Referring to PM’s speech in NA today, it is clarified that PM twice used the word “killed” for OBL. An unwarranted attempt is being made at home/abroad with a clear intent to make his remarks controversial unnecessarily.
— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) <a href="https://twitter.com/SHABAZGIL/status/1276214755070337024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman also took to Twitter to criticise the remark and said that the country was a victim of terrorst attacks caused due to Osama Bin Laden. "Because of him the country is in such a state and you are presenting him as a hero on the assembly floor?"

"Remember that Osama Bin Laden can be the PM's hero but not the nation's. He was and will remain a criminal of the state and the people," she tweeted.

Khan's statement came after the US issued a report claiming that Pakistan continues to serve as a safe haven for terrorist groups.

“While the report recognizes that al Qaeda has been seriously degraded in the region, it neglects to mention Pakistan’s crucial role in decimating al Qaeda, thereby diminishing the threat that the terrorist group once posed to the world,” a foreign office statement said on Thursday.

Pakistan's Prime Minister on Wednesday, while addressing the Parliament, called Osama Bin Laden a ‘shaheed’ (martyr). The usage of the word 'shaheed', which is usually used for soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the good of their nation, gathered a lot of criticism from the opposition leaders and the locals of Pakistan.

Pakistan's Prime Minister on Wednesday, while addressing the Parliament, called Osama Bin Laden a ‘shaheed’ (martyr). The usage of the word 'shaheed', which is usually used for soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the good of their nation, gathered a lot of criticism from the opposition leaders and the locals of Pakistan. Also read: Pakistan PM Imran Khan calls Osama Bin Laden a 'martyr' in Parliament Opposition political leader Khawaja Asif, described Laden as the “ultimate terrorist” and said, “He destroyed my nation, and he (Khan) is calling him a martyr." Mohsin Dawar, Member of Parliament and leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, also lashed back at the Prime Minister and reminded the PM about the numerous victims and soldiers who lost their lives due to the terrorist activities in the country. Today in NA, I asked @ImranKhanPTI, that if #OBL is a martyr then what about all the Pakistanis who became victims of his terrorism? What abt those soldiers who died fighting against his terror? Which side are our martyrs? Please stop these double games that've cost us 70K lives. pic.twitter.com/Vv1emupP08 — Mohsin Dawar (@mjdawar) June 25, 2020 × Bilwal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of PPP, also said, "PM IK calling OBL a martyr in NA is consistent with his history of appeasement to violent extremism. It is during his govt that those involved in APS attack “escaped” & those involved in Daniel Pearls murder get relief. Running with the hare & hunting with the hound." However, Khan's minister Dr. Shahbaz Gill tried to come to his defense by tweeting that the remarks were being misread with a "clear intent to make his remarks controversial unnecessarily." Referring to PM’s speech in NA today, it is clarified that PM twice used the word “killed” for OBL. An unwarranted attempt is being made at home/abroad with a clear intent to make his remarks controversial unnecessarily. — Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) June 25, 2020 × PPP Senator Sherry Rehman also took to Twitter to criticise the remark and said that the country was a victim of terrorst attacks caused due to Osama Bin Laden. "Because of him the country is in such a state and you are presenting him as a hero on the assembly floor?" "Remember that Osama Bin Laden can be the PM's hero but not the nation's. He was and will remain a criminal of the state and the people," she tweeted. Khan's statement came after the US issued a report claiming that Pakistan continues to serve as a safe haven for terrorist groups. “While the report recognizes that al Qaeda has been seriously degraded in the region, it neglects to mention Pakistan’s crucial role in decimating al Qaeda, thereby diminishing the threat that the terrorist group once posed to the world,” a foreign office statement said on Thursday.

Opposition lashes out at Imran Khan for calling Laden a 'martyr'

The Taliban killed at least 291 Afghan security personnel over the past week, a top government official said Monday, accusing the insurgents of unleashing a wave of violence ahead of potential talks. 
 
The past week was the "deadliest" in the country's 19 years of conflict, said Javid Faisal, spokesman for the National Security Council, even as the insurgents dismissed the latest figures. 
 
The Taliban carried out 422 attacks in 32 provinces in the past week, killing 291 security force personnel and wounding 550 others, Faisal said on Twitter.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/un-blames-afghan-forces-taliban-for-deliberately-targetting-healthcare-307559" hreflang="en">UN blames Afghan forces, Taliban for 'deliberately' targetting healthcare</a> 
 
"Taliban's commitment to reduce violence is meaningless, and their actions inconsistent with their rhetoric on peace," he said. 
 
The Taliban rejected the latest government figures. 
 
"The enemy aims to hurt the peace process and intra-Afghan talks by releasing such false reports," Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's spokesman in Afghanistan, told AFP. 
 
"We did have some attacks last week, but they were mostly in defence."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/western-powers-support-afghanistans-decision-to-not-release-taliban-prisoners-307334" hreflang="en">Western powers support Afghanistan's decision to not release Taliban prisoners</a> 
 
Violence had dropped across much of Afghanistan since the Taliban announced a three-day ceasefire on May 24 to mark the Eid al-Fitr holiday, but officials have accused the insurgents of stepping up attacks in recent weeks. 
 
The latest government accusations come as Kabul and Taliban have signalled that they were getting closer to launching much-delayed peace talks. 
 
President Ashraf Ghani has vowed to complete a Taliban prisoner release that is a key condition to beginning the peace negotiations with the insurgents aimed at ending nearly two decades of war. 
 
The authorities have already released about 3,000 Taliban prisoners, and plan to further free 2,000 as stipulated in the insurgents' deal with Washington signed in February. 
 
The Taliban have said they are ready for peace talks but only after the release of the remaining 2,000 insurgents.

The Taliban killed at least 291 Afghan security personnel over the past week, a top government official said Monday, accusing the insurgents of unleashing a wave of violence ahead of potential talks.

The Taliban killed at least 291 Afghan security personnel over the past week, a top government official said Monday, accusing the insurgents of unleashing a wave of violence ahead of potential talks. The past week was the "deadliest" in the country's 19 years of conflict, said Javid Faisal, spokesman for the National Security Council, even as the insurgents dismissed the latest figures. The Taliban carried out 422 attacks in 32 provinces in the past week, killing 291 security force personnel and wounding 550 others, Faisal said on Twitter. Also read: UN blames Afghan forces, Taliban for 'deliberately' targetting healthcare "Taliban's commitment to reduce violence is meaningless, and their actions inconsistent with their rhetoric on peace," he said. The Taliban rejected the latest government figures. "The enemy aims to hurt the peace process and intra-Afghan talks by releasing such false reports," Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's spokesman in Afghanistan, told AFP. "We did have some attacks last week, but they were mostly in defence." Also read: Western powers support Afghanistan's decision to not release Taliban prisoners Violence had dropped across much of Afghanistan since the Taliban announced a three-day ceasefire on May 24 to mark the Eid al-Fitr holiday, but officials have accused the insurgents of stepping up attacks in recent weeks. The latest government accusations come as Kabul and Taliban have signalled that they were getting closer to launching much-delayed peace talks. President Ashraf Ghani has vowed to complete a Taliban prisoner release that is a key condition to beginning the peace negotiations with the insurgents aimed at ending nearly two decades of war. The authorities have already released about 3,000 Taliban prisoners, and plan to further free 2,000 as stipulated in the insurgents' deal with Washington signed in February. The Taliban have said they are ready for peace talks but only after the release of the remaining 2,000 insurgents.

Taliban killed 291 Afghan security personnel in past week

The English town of Reading held a minute's silence on Monday for the victims of a stabbing that killed three people including an American in the latest terrorism-linked attack.

Three people were also hospitalised after a man wielding a five-inch knife went on the rampage in a park on Saturday, randomly stabbing people enjoying a sunny, summer evening.

A Western security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that the suspect was a 25-year-old Libyan called Khairi Saadallah.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/reading-stabbings-libyan-refugee-khairi-saadallah-named-as-suspect-in-uk-terror-attack-307524" hreflang="en">Reading stabbings: Libyan refugee Khairi Saadallah named as suspect in UK terror attack</a>

Calling the incident terrorism, police said a 25-year-old had been arrested but they were not hunting others. "What we saw here on Saturday evening in Reading was the actions of one lone individual," Home Secretary (interior minister) Priti Patel said

The Philadelphia Inquirer said one of the dead was U.S. citizen Joe Ritchie-Bennett, 39, who had lived in Britain for 15 years. U.S. ambassador Woody Johnson sent condolences to families of victims. "To our great sorrow, this includes an American citizen," he said on Twitter&nbsp;

Teacher James Furlong, 36, who was friends with Ritchie-Bennett according to media reports, was also killed. "He was beautiful, intelligent, honest and fun," his parents said.

The third victim has not yet been identified.

ON MI5'S RADAR

The security source told Reuters that Saadallah had come across the radar of Britain's domestic security agency MI5 last year over intelligence he had aspirations to travel for extremist purposes, although his plans then came to nothing.

"The security services have records on thousands of people and rightly so," said Patel, adding she was limited in what she could say because the investigation was live.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-to-start-easing-lockdown-soon-plans-to-be-revealed-this-week-health-minister-307498" hreflang="en">UK to start easing lockdown soon; plans to be revealed this week: Health Minister</a>

Shocked residents of Reading, about 40 miles (65 km) west of London, held a minute's silence at 0900 GMT.

The attack was reminiscent of some recent incidents in Britain that authorities also called terrorism.

In February, police shot dead a man, previously jailed for promoting violent Islamist material, who had stabbed two people on a busy street in south London. Last November, another man who had been jailed for terrorism offences stabbed two people to death on London Bridge before he too was shot dead by police.

The English town of Reading held a minute's silence on Monday for the victims of a stabbing that killed three people including an American in the latest terrorism-linked attack.

The English town of Reading held a minute's silence on Monday for the victims of a stabbing that killed three people including an American in the latest terrorism-linked attack. Three people were also hospitalised after a man wielding a five-inch knife went on the rampage in a park on Saturday, randomly stabbing people enjoying a sunny, summer evening. A Western security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that the suspect was a 25-year-old Libyan called Khairi Saadallah. Also read: Reading stabbings: Libyan refugee Khairi Saadallah named as suspect in UK terror attack Calling the incident terrorism, police said a 25-year-old had been arrested but they were not hunting others. "What we saw here on Saturday evening in Reading was the actions of one lone individual," Home Secretary (interior minister) Priti Patel said The Philadelphia Inquirer said one of the dead was U.S. citizen Joe Ritchie-Bennett, 39, who had lived in Britain for 15 years. U.S. ambassador Woody Johnson sent condolences to families of victims. "To our great sorrow, this includes an American citizen," he said on Twitter Teacher James Furlong, 36, who was friends with Ritchie-Bennett according to media reports, was also killed. "He was beautiful, intelligent, honest and fun," his parents said. The third victim has not yet been identified. ON MI5'S RADAR The security source told Reuters that Saadallah had come across the radar of Britain's domestic security agency MI5 last year over intelligence he had aspirations to travel for extremist purposes, although his plans then came to nothing. "The security services have records on thousands of people and rightly so," said Patel, adding she was limited in what she could say because the investigation was live. Also read: UK to start easing lockdown soon; plans to be revealed this week: Health Minister Shocked residents of Reading, about 40 miles (65 km) west of London, held a minute's silence at 0900 GMT. The attack was reminiscent of some recent incidents in Britain that authorities also called terrorism. In February, police shot dead a man, previously jailed for promoting violent Islamist material, who had stabbed two people on a busy street in south London. Last November, another man who had been jailed for terrorism offences stabbed two people to death on London Bridge before he too was shot dead by police.

Britain reels from latest terrorism-linked stabbing, American among dead

Chairman of Baloch National Movement (BNM) Khalil Baloch highlighted the case of Zakir Majeed, a student leader, who is in Pakistani torture cell since last 11 years, and said the policy of enforced disappearance is becoming a stimulus to declare Pakistan a terrorist state at the international level.

"Zakir Majeed has completed 11 years in Pakistani torture cells. Instead of discouraging the Baloch youth through abductions and torture to end politics, this policy is becoming a stimulus to declare Pakistan a terrorist state at the international level," Baloch tweeted.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-gets-international-aid-of-usd-15-billion-to-handle-covid-outbreak-307314">Also read|&nbsp;Pakistan gets international aid of USD 1.5 billion to handle COVID outbreak</a>

Zakir Majeed Baloch was enforcedly disappeared on 8th June 2009 along with two of his friends Waheed Baluch and Basit Baluch. Later Waheed and Basit were released while Zakir Majeed was kept in extrajudicial custody and till this day no one has any trace of him.

Pakistan`s establishment has long been criticised over its practice of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings by International bodies and local human rights organisations that dare to speak out on the issue.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/broken-promises-and-lavish-feasts-imran-khan-disappoints-people-of-pakistan-307176">Also read|&nbsp;Broken promises and lavish feasts: Imran Khan disappoints people of Pakistan</a>

According to the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, an entity established by the Pakistani government, about 5,000 cases of enforced disappearances have been registered since 2014. Most of them are still unresolved.

Independent local and international human rights organisations put the numbers much higher. Around 20,000 have reportedly been abducted only from Balochistan, out of which more than 2,500 have turned up dead as bullet-riddled dead bodies, bearing signs of extreme torture.

Before being elected as Prime Minister, Imran Khan had admitted in multiple interviews about the involvement of Pakistan`s intelligence agencies in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings and vowed to resign if he was unable to put an end to the practice, holding those involved responsible.

Chairman of Baloch National Movement (BNM) Khalil Baloch highlighted the case of Zakir Majeed, a student leader, who is in Pakistani torture cell since last 11 years, and said the policy of enforced disappearance is becoming a stimulus to declare Pakistan a terrorist state at the international level.

Chairman of Baloch National Movement (BNM) Khalil Baloch highlighted the case of Zakir Majeed, a student leader, who is in Pakistani torture cell since last 11 years, and said the policy of enforced disappearance is becoming a stimulus to declare Pakistan a terrorist state at the international level. "Zakir Majeed has completed 11 years in Pakistani torture cells. Instead of discouraging the Baloch youth through abductions and torture to end politics, this policy is becoming a stimulus to declare Pakistan a terrorist state at the international level," Baloch tweeted. Also read| Pakistan gets international aid of USD 1.5 billion to handle COVID outbreak Zakir Majeed Baloch was enforcedly disappeared on 8th June 2009 along with two of his friends Waheed Baluch and Basit Baluch. Later Waheed and Basit were released while Zakir Majeed was kept in extrajudicial custody and till this day no one has any trace of him. Pakistan`s establishment has long been criticised over its practice of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings by International bodies and local human rights organisations that dare to speak out on the issue. Also read| Broken promises and lavish feasts: Imran Khan disappoints people of Pakistan According to the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, an entity established by the Pakistani government, about 5,000 cases of enforced disappearances have been registered since 2014. Most of them are still unresolved. Independent local and international human rights organisations put the numbers much higher. Around 20,000 have reportedly been abducted only from Balochistan, out of which more than 2,500 have turned up dead as bullet-riddled dead bodies, bearing signs of extreme torture. Before being elected as Prime Minister, Imran Khan had admitted in multiple interviews about the involvement of Pakistan`s intelligence agencies in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings and vowed to resign if he was unable to put an end to the practice, holding those involved responsible.

Enforced disappearance policy is becoming a stimulus to declare Pakistan as terrorist state: Baloch leader

An assailant went on a stabbing rampage in a park filled with people relaxing in the southern English city of Reading on Saturday, leaving three people dead and two critically injured, according to police.

According to Thames Valley, officers and emergency services rushed to a park in Forbury Gardens after getting reports of “multiple stabbings”. The assailant is understood to be a Libyan and was arrested after stabbing people in Forbury Gardens, Reading at 7 pm Saturday.

The police have said that several casualties were taken to Royal Berkshire hospital and according to the hospital spokeswoman, two people were in critical condition.&nbsp;

The police called in counter-terrorism investigators to check if terrorism may have been the motive behind stabbing.&nbsp;

Till now, every inquiry conducted by the counter-terrorist investigators is leading to that direction (terrorism). The MI5 will be assisting the counter-terrorism police and the security service.&nbsp;

The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and home secretary, Priti Patel are constantly informed of developments.&nbsp;

Earlier, the assailant was suspected to be a part of Black Lives Matter campaign. But according to the organisers, &nbsp;the peaceful protest ended nearly two hours before the incident at 7 pm. Crowds who attended had dispersed without any trouble.&nbsp;

Thames Valley Police said: “There is no indication that this incident is linked to the Black Lives Matter protest that took place in Reading today.”

Johnson tweeted: “My thoughts are with all of those affected by the appalling incident in Reading and my thanks to the emergency services on the scene.”

Patel said that she was “deeply concerned” by the developments.

The leader of Reading council, Jason Brock, tweeted: “Concerning reports from Reading town centre – please stay clear of the area as Police are dealing with a serious incident.”

“Officers are on the scene and investigating the incident.”

The National Police Chief’s Council tweeted: “Please avoid speculation or sharing of video or images of the serious incident in Reading. An investigation will be ongoing.”

An assailant went on a stabbing rampage in a park filled with people relaxing in the southern English city of Reading on Saturday, leaving three people dead and two critically injured, according to police.

An assailant went on a stabbing rampage in a park filled with people relaxing in the southern English city of Reading on Saturday, leaving three people dead and two critically injured, according to police. According to Thames Valley, officers and emergency services rushed to a park in Forbury Gardens after getting reports of “multiple stabbings”. The assailant is understood to be a Libyan and was arrested after stabbing people in Forbury Gardens, Reading at 7 pm Saturday. The police have said that several casualties were taken to Royal Berkshire hospital and according to the hospital spokeswoman, two people were in critical condition. The police called in counter-terrorism investigators to check if terrorism may have been the motive behind stabbing. Till now, every inquiry conducted by the counter-terrorist investigators is leading to that direction (terrorism). The MI5 will be assisting the counter-terrorism police and the security service. The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and home secretary, Priti Patel are constantly informed of developments. Earlier, the assailant was suspected to be a part of Black Lives Matter campaign. But according to the organisers, the peaceful protest ended nearly two hours before the incident at 7 pm. Crowds who attended had dispersed without any trouble. Thames Valley Police said: “There is no indication that this incident is linked to the Black Lives Matter protest that took place in Reading today.” Johnson tweeted: “My thoughts are with all of those affected by the appalling incident in Reading and my thanks to the emergency services on the scene.” Patel said that she was “deeply concerned” by the developments. The leader of Reading council, Jason Brock, tweeted: “Concerning reports from Reading town centre – please stay clear of the area as Police are dealing with a serious incident.” “Officers are on the scene and investigating the incident.” The National Police Chief’s Council tweeted: “Please avoid speculation or sharing of video or images of the serious incident in Reading. An investigation will be ongoing.”

UK: Three dead after mass stabbing in Reading, police investigate possible terrorism link

Suspended Jammu and Kashmir DSP Davinder Singh, arrested while ferrying two Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terrorists in a vehicle on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway earlier this year, was granted bail on Friday by a court here in another terror case filed by Delhi Police after it failed to file a charge sheet within the prescribed time period. Singh and another accused in the case - Irfan Shafi Mir - were granted the relief by Special Judge Dharmender Rana in the case filed by the special cell of Delhi police, who noted that it failed to file the charge sheet within 90 days from their arrest, as prescribed under the law.

In the bail applications filed on behalf of the accused, their lawyer M S Khan said that neither the police filed charge sheet within statutory period of 90 days, nor any permission was sought from the court to extend that period.“Considering the fact that despite the lapse of statutory time limit to complete investigation, charge sheet in the instant matter is not filed till date, both the accused persons are entitled to be released on bail,” the judge said, while granting the relief on a personal bond of 1 lakh each and two sureties of like amount.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistani-spy-drone-carrying-weapons-shot-down-by-bsf-at-jammu-and-kashmirs-kathua-307250">Also read:&nbsp;Pakistani spy drone carrying weapons shot down by BSF at Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua</a>

Singh, however, will remain in jail since he has yet not secured bail in the case filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in relation to his arrest on January 10 this year while ferrying two Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terrorists in a vehicle on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway.The case was initially lodged by J&amp;K police which was later taken over by the NIA. Singh was suspended from the Jammu and Kashmir Police in January this year.

In the current case, filed by the special cell of Delhi Police under section 18 (conspiracy for terror acts) of stringent UAPA and section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC, Singh and Mir were arrested on March 14 and 19 respectively. The special cell had brought Singh to Delhi from Hira Nagar Jail in Jammu and Kashmir. The case relates to planning/ execution of terror attacks in Delhi and other parts of the country.

According to Delhi Police,Sayed Naveed Mushtaq, the commander of Shopian district of Hizbul Mujahiddeen, and others were planning to execute terror attacks in Delhi and other parts of the country as well as carry out targeted killings of protected persons. The FIR said the youth of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab are being trained for carrying out terrorist activities.

The FIR also mentioned the mafia's D Company and Chhota Shakeel. According to the FIR, Delhi Police's Special Cell had received an input that the D Company, run by fugitive Indian underworld kingpin Dawood Ibrahim, is funding pro-Khalistan terrorist organisations in Punjab. Davinder Singh was taken in custody under the same FIR.

Suspended Jammu and Kashmir DSP Davinder Singh, arrested while ferrying two Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terrorists in a vehicle on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway earlier this year, was granted bail on Friday by a court here in another terror case filed by Delhi Police after it failed to file a charge sheet within the prescribed time period.

Suspended Jammu and Kashmir DSP Davinder Singh, arrested while ferrying two Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terrorists in a vehicle on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway earlier this year, was granted bail on Friday by a court here in another terror case filed by Delhi Police after it failed to file a charge sheet within the prescribed time period. Singh and another accused in the case - Irfan Shafi Mir - were granted the relief by Special Judge Dharmender Rana in the case filed by the special cell of Delhi police, who noted that it failed to file the charge sheet within 90 days from their arrest, as prescribed under the law. In the bail applications filed on behalf of the accused, their lawyer M S Khan said that neither the police filed charge sheet within statutory period of 90 days, nor any permission was sought from the court to extend that period.“Considering the fact that despite the lapse of statutory time limit to complete investigation, charge sheet in the instant matter is not filed till date, both the accused persons are entitled to be released on bail,” the judge said, while granting the relief on a personal bond of 1 lakh each and two sureties of like amount. Also read: Pakistani spy drone carrying weapons shot down by BSF at Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua Singh, however, will remain in jail since he has yet not secured bail in the case filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in relation to his arrest on January 10 this year while ferrying two Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terrorists in a vehicle on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway.The case was initially lodged by J&K police which was later taken over by the NIA. Singh was suspended from the Jammu and Kashmir Police in January this year. In the current case, filed by the special cell of Delhi Police under section 18 (conspiracy for terror acts) of stringent UAPA and section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC, Singh and Mir were arrested on March 14 and 19 respectively. The special cell had brought Singh to Delhi from Hira Nagar Jail in Jammu and Kashmir. The case relates to planning/ execution of terror attacks in Delhi and other parts of the country. According to Delhi Police,Sayed Naveed Mushtaq, the commander of Shopian district of Hizbul Mujahiddeen, and others were planning to execute terror attacks in Delhi and other parts of the country as well as carry out targeted killings of protected persons. The FIR said the youth of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab are being trained for carrying out terrorist activities. The FIR also mentioned the mafia's D Company and Chhota Shakeel. According to the FIR, Delhi Police's Special Cell had received an input that the D Company, run by fugitive Indian underworld kingpin Dawood Ibrahim, is funding pro-Khalistan terrorist organisations in Punjab. Davinder Singh was taken in custody under the same FIR.

Suspended J&K DSP Davinder Singh gets bail in terror case after police fails to file charge sheet

Taliban fighters killed at least 12 Afghan security personnel Wednesday in a pre-dawn raid on a northern checkpoint, officials said, the latest violence claimed by the insurgents. 
 
Four security force members were also captured by the militants in the attack in Jawezjan province, said Maroof Azar, spokesman to the governor. 
 
"Twelve security personnel including army soldiers were killed, five were injured and four were captured by the Taliban," he told AFP.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/afghanistan/afghanistan-and-myanmar-drown-in-chinas-loans-afghanistan-rejects-loan-306145" hreflang="en">Afghanistan and Myanmar drown in China's loans; Afghanistan rejects loan</a> 
 
He said five Taliban fighters were killed in the fighting, which ended after Afghan security reinforcements arrived at the scene, Azar said. 
 
The ministry of defence confirmed the attack and said six of its soldiers were among the dead.&nbsp; 
 
The Taliban spokesman for the group's fighting forces, Zabihullah Mujahib, claimed the attack but gave a higher toll.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/afghanistan/afghan-government-taliban-agree-to-doha-as-venue-for-first-peace-talks-306103" hreflang="en">Afghan government, Taliban agree to Doha as venue for first peace talks</a> 
 
The latest bloodshed comes as the insurgents and the Afghan government appear to be moving closer towards potential peace negotiations. 
 
The much-delayed talks aimed at ending the conflict are expected to begin once the two sides complete an ongoing prisoner swap accelerated after a brief ceasefire last month. 
 
Officials claim the Taliban have stepped up attacks in recent days, although there has been an overall drop in violence across the country since the ceasefire ended.&nbsp;

Taliban fighters killed at least 12 Afghan security personnel Wednesday in a pre-dawn raid on a northern checkpoint, officials said, the latest violence claimed by the insurgents.

Taliban fighters killed at least 12 Afghan security personnel Wednesday in a pre-dawn raid on a northern checkpoint, officials said, the latest violence claimed by the insurgents. Four security force members were also captured by the militants in the attack in Jawezjan province, said Maroof Azar, spokesman to the governor. "Twelve security personnel including army soldiers were killed, five were injured and four were captured by the Taliban," he told AFP. Also read: Afghanistan and Myanmar drown in China's loans; Afghanistan rejects loan He said five Taliban fighters were killed in the fighting, which ended after Afghan security reinforcements arrived at the scene, Azar said. The ministry of defence confirmed the attack and said six of its soldiers were among the dead. The Taliban spokesman for the group's fighting forces, Zabihullah Mujahib, claimed the attack but gave a higher toll. Also read: Afghan government, Taliban agree to Doha as venue for first peace talks The latest bloodshed comes as the insurgents and the Afghan government appear to be moving closer towards potential peace negotiations. The much-delayed talks aimed at ending the conflict are expected to begin once the two sides complete an ongoing prisoner swap accelerated after a brief ceasefire last month. Officials claim the Taliban have stepped up attacks in recent days, although there has been an overall drop in violence across the country since the ceasefire ended.

Taliban raid on Afghan security post kills 12

The&nbsp;anti-money laundering body of Philippines has warned the government of delaying action in implementing the new anti-terrorism bill.

The council has warned that the country could find itself&nbsp;included in an international “grey list” of the countries falling short of global money-laundering rules.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-protesters-rally-against-dutertes-anti-terrorism-bill-305381">Also read|&nbsp;Philippines: Protesters rally against Duterte's anti-terrorism bill</a>

The bill has not won hearts of the public of the country, as some fear it could impose restrictions on free speech, and could result in harassment of those who oppose the government.

The bill has been drafted and is awaiting final signature of the&nbsp;Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/philippines-navy-chief-expresses-gratitude-to-indian-navy-chief-for-repairing-ship-damaged-by-fire-305576">Also read|&nbsp;Philippines Navy Chief expresses gratitude to Indian Navy Chief for repairing ship damaged by fire</a>

Fearing a further decline in the economy,&nbsp;the Anti-Money Laundering Council said, it must pass and show it could implement tougher measures to combat terrorism before the observation period set by the intergovernmental Financial Action Task Force expires in February.

“The Philippines’ inclusion in the grey list will result in an additional layer of scrutiny from regulators and financial institutions,” the council said in a statement, adding it will also put at risk the country’s goal of getting an “A” credit rating.

The council has also come to defence of the President for taking anti-terrorism bill as a priority instead of a stimulus package for the victims of the pandemic. “Fighting terrorism is just as urgent because it also concerns protecting life," the council said.

The anti-money laundering body of Philippines has warned the government of delaying action in implementing the new anti-terrorism bill. The council has warned that the country could find itself included in an international “grey list” of the countries falling short of global money-laundering rules.

The anti-money laundering body of Philippines has warned the government of delaying action in implementing the new anti-terrorism bill. The council has warned that the country could find itself included in an international “grey list” of the countries falling short of global money-laundering rules. Also read| Philippines: Protesters rally against Duterte's anti-terrorism bill The bill has not won hearts of the public of the country, as some fear it could impose restrictions on free speech, and could result in harassment of those who oppose the government. The bill has been drafted and is awaiting final signature of the Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Also read| Philippines Navy Chief expresses gratitude to Indian Navy Chief for repairing ship damaged by fire Fearing a further decline in the economy, the Anti-Money Laundering Council said, it must pass and show it could implement tougher measures to combat terrorism before the observation period set by the intergovernmental Financial Action Task Force expires in February. “The Philippines’ inclusion in the grey list will result in an additional layer of scrutiny from regulators and financial institutions,” the council said in a statement, adding it will also put at risk the country’s goal of getting an “A” credit rating. The council has also come to defence of the President for taking anti-terrorism bill as a priority instead of a stimulus package for the victims of the pandemic. “Fighting terrorism is just as urgent because it also concerns protecting life," the council said.

Anti-terrorism bill as urgent as pandemic: Council defends Philippines President

In a desert wilderness in Mali, close to the Algerian border, pitted with isolated rocks and weighed by oppressive heat, French special forces and combat helicopters begin an operation.

At its climax, they claim one of the greatest successes of France's deployment in the Sahel region of north Africa -- the killing of the head of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) Abdelmalek Droukdel.

The French military, for the first time, provided details on Thursday of how late last week it "neutralised" the man it has called "the third deputy" of Al-Qaeda's leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri.

Officials describe the death of the Algerian Droukdel as the fruit of meticulous intelligence work.

This was concluded by a military intervention in broad daylight, about ten kilometres (6.2 miles) from the Algerian border, east of the Malian town of Tessalit.

A source close to the operation said about fifteen French special forces were dropped by at least two transport helicopters, as well as a Tiger combat helicopter and a Gazelle multipurpose helicopter, with a drone in support.

"The capture of Droukdel was not possible," said the source, who asked not to be named.

"The goal is not necessarily to kill," said the official. But "in combat, the men see just rocks" with combatants cowering behind them. "They don't know who is behind the gun". The source added: "This type of individual does not surrender".

The army is not giving details of the exchanges that took place during the operation, merely confirming that fighting took place at close quarters.&nbsp;

"We knew that there was a target of interest in the region for two days. After that, it was all a work of mutual support, between the different sources of intelligence," said the source.

"It is a case of building it up," said the official, without revealing the origin of the information but confirming the help of the United States.

Once the objective was identified and located, conditions in northern Mali at the beginning of the rainy season slowed down the progress of forces on the ground.

In the operation, one individual was captured and handed to the Malian authorities after being interrogated by the French forces.

But the soldiers also seized important digital material, including phones, cards and computers. Analysing them may help explain what Droukdel, who was usually very discreet, was doing in the region.

&nbsp;

<h2>- 'Buried at the scene' -</h2>

&nbsp;

There has for some time been major fighting between groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda with those of Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (IS-GS).&nbsp;

These have been "violent" fights with "losses on both sides", according to the French source.

It is has not been ruled out that this could have prompted Droukdel's presence in the area.

"It's a real question," said the source, expressing hope that analysis would shed more light on this.&nbsp;

The IS-GS was designated in January as the number one enemy of France's 5,000 strong anti-jihadist force Barkhane and its G5 Sahel allies of Mauritania, Chad, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso.&nbsp;

But, in the end, it was an Al-Qaeda figure who was killed in this operation.&nbsp;

"The fact that today we have focused a certain number of our forces on the most virulent and urgent threat has not distracted us from the surveillance of other branches", said the source.

Once the operation was finished, the special forces "applied the standards of armed conflict: the enemy combatants were buried at the scene".

Meanwhile the prisoner taken "will answer for his actions before the courts", said the source.

The official praised the operational efficiency of the French forces on the ground and in the air, saying they were capable of deploying in a clandestine situation in full gear in temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit).

In military terms, these are "extremely rustic conditions", said the source.

In a desert wilderness in Mali, close to the Algerian border, pitted with isolated rocks and weighed by oppressive heat, French special forces and combat helicopters begin an operation.

In a desert wilderness in Mali, close to the Algerian border, pitted with isolated rocks and weighed by oppressive heat, French special forces and combat helicopters begin an operation. At its climax, they claim one of the greatest successes of France's deployment in the Sahel region of north Africa -- the killing of the head of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) Abdelmalek Droukdel. The French military, for the first time, provided details on Thursday of how late last week it "neutralised" the man it has called "the third deputy" of Al-Qaeda's leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri. Officials describe the death of the Algerian Droukdel as the fruit of meticulous intelligence work. This was concluded by a military intervention in broad daylight, about ten kilometres (6.2 miles) from the Algerian border, east of the Malian town of Tessalit. A source close to the operation said about fifteen French special forces were dropped by at least two transport helicopters, as well as a Tiger combat helicopter and a Gazelle multipurpose helicopter, with a drone in support. "The capture of Droukdel was not possible," said the source, who asked not to be named. "The goal is not necessarily to kill," said the official. But "in combat, the men see just rocks" with combatants cowering behind them. "They don't know who is behind the gun". The source added: "This type of individual does not surrender". The army is not giving details of the exchanges that took place during the operation, merely confirming that fighting took place at close quarters. "We knew that there was a target of interest in the region for two days. After that, it was all a work of mutual support, between the different sources of intelligence," said the source. "It is a case of building it up," said the official, without revealing the origin of the information but confirming the help of the United States. Once the objective was identified and located, conditions in northern Mali at the beginning of the rainy season slowed down the progress of forces on the ground. In the operation, one individual was captured and handed to the Malian authorities after being interrogated by the French forces. But the soldiers also seized important digital material, including phones, cards and computers. Analysing them may help explain what Droukdel, who was usually very discreet, was doing in the region. - 'Buried at the scene' - There has for some time been major fighting between groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda with those of Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (IS-GS). These have been "violent" fights with "losses on both sides", according to the French source. It is has not been ruled out that this could have prompted Droukdel's presence in the area. "It's a real question," said the source, expressing hope that analysis would shed more light on this. The IS-GS was designated in January as the number one enemy of France's 5,000 strong anti-jihadist force Barkhane and its G5 Sahel allies of Mauritania, Chad, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso. But, in the end, it was an Al-Qaeda figure who was killed in this operation. "The fact that today we have focused a certain number of our forces on the most virulent and urgent threat has not distracted us from the surveillance of other branches", said the source. Once the operation was finished, the special forces "applied the standards of armed conflict: the enemy combatants were buried at the scene". Meanwhile the prisoner taken "will answer for his actions before the courts", said the source. The official praised the operational efficiency of the French forces on the ground and in the air, saying they were capable of deploying in a clandestine situation in full gear in temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). In military terms, these are "extremely rustic conditions", said the source.

'Capture not possible': France's desert operation against Al-Qaeda chief

Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of the Punjab Police arrested two militants of the banned&nbsp;Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).&nbsp;

These two militants were involved in the murder of a Polish engineer&nbsp;and an attack on the army personnel in Pakistan's tribal region.

As per local reports, a Polish engineer Piotr Stanczak was abducted from&nbsp;Attock, near Rawalpindi, in 2008. He was beheaded in 2009 by the arrested suspects.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/our-stimulus-package-is-as-large-as-gdp-of-pakistan-india-tells-imran-khan-after-he-offers-help-305154">Also read:&nbsp;Our stimulus package is as large as GDP of Pakistan: India tells Imran Khan after he offers 'help'</a>

The incident came to light after seven-minute long video was sent to&nbsp;reporters in February 2009. The video showed the militants beheading the Polish engineer.

The engineer was beheaded after four months, during which the militants demanded release of&nbsp;some TTP prisoners by the government.

The two suspects have been identified as Kaleemullah and Farid Khan. Kaleemullah confessed to the beheading and&nbsp;the attack on the army personnel in South Waziristan.

A case has been registered against both suspects under section 3/4 Explosive Substances Act and 7 Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.

(With inputs from PTI)

Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of the Punjab Police arrested two militants of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). These two militants were involved in the murder of a Polish engineer and an attack on the army personnel in Pakistan's tribal region.

Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of the Punjab Police arrested two militants of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). These two militants were involved in the murder of a Polish engineer and an attack on the army personnel in Pakistan's tribal region. As per local reports, a Polish engineer Piotr Stanczak was abducted from Attock, near Rawalpindi, in 2008. He was beheaded in 2009 by the arrested suspects. Also read: Our stimulus package is as large as GDP of Pakistan: India tells Imran Khan after he offers 'help' The incident came to light after seven-minute long video was sent to reporters in February 2009. The video showed the militants beheading the Polish engineer. The engineer was beheaded after four months, during which the militants demanded release of some TTP prisoners by the government. The two suspects have been identified as Kaleemullah and Farid Khan. Kaleemullah confessed to the beheading and the attack on the army personnel in South Waziristan. A case has been registered against both suspects under section 3/4 Explosive Substances Act and 7 Anti-Terrorism Act 1997. (With inputs from PTI)

Pakistan: Taliban militants arrested for beheading Polish engineer

Five terrorists have been killed in an encounter with a joint team of security forces in Shopian district of south Kashmir, taking the toll of killed terrorists in the valley to 14 in 4 days.

Acting on specific information, security forces zeroed in on a location where terrorists were hiding which triggered a gunfight.&nbsp;

“Five dead bodies have been recovered from the encounter site and operation has been concluded,” police said.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pashmina-wool-caught-up-in-border-dispute-between-india-and-china-304638" hreflang="en">Pashmina wool caught up in border dispute between India and China</a>

Sources in the police say this was a joint group of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba terror outfit.&nbsp;

All 14 terrorists have been killed in the Shopian district alone with the specific inputs about their presence with the J&amp;K police.&nbsp;

On Sunday, five Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terrorists were killed in the Reben area of Shopain district after forces launched a similar operation. Next, four terrorists&nbsp;were eliminated in the Pinjora area of the district.&nbsp;

Security forces say this has been a big success for them to “break the back” of the terror outfit in south Kashmir.&nbsp;

A total of 93 terrorists have been killed so far this year and several overground workers (OGW) have also been arrested, who provide logistical and other support to terrorists.

Top commanders including an IED expert of Pakistan origin, Abdul Rehman, were also killed last week in an operation.

Five terrorists have been killed in an encounter with a joint team of security forces in Shopian district of south Kashmir, taking the toll of killed terrorists in the valley to 14 in 4 days.

Five terrorists have been killed in an encounter with a joint team of security forces in Shopian district of south Kashmir, taking the toll of killed terrorists in the valley to 14 in 4 days. Acting on specific information, security forces zeroed in on a location where terrorists were hiding which triggered a gunfight. “Five dead bodies have been recovered from the encounter site and operation has been concluded,” police said. Also read: Pashmina wool caught up in border dispute between India and China Sources in the police say this was a joint group of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba terror outfit. All 14 terrorists have been killed in the Shopian district alone with the specific inputs about their presence with the J&K police. On Sunday, five Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terrorists were killed in the Reben area of Shopain district after forces launched a similar operation. Next, four terrorists were eliminated in the Pinjora area of the district. Security forces say this has been a big success for them to “break the back” of the terror outfit in south Kashmir. A total of 93 terrorists have been killed so far this year and several overground workers (OGW) have also been arrested, who provide logistical and other support to terrorists. Top commanders including an IED expert of Pakistan origin, Abdul Rehman, were also killed last week in an operation.

Kashmir: 5 terrorists killed in encounter, 14 terrorists neutralised in 4 days

An Iranian citizen who provided information to US&nbsp;and Israeli intelligence services on the whereabouts of Iran's slain top commander Qassem Soleimani will be executed soon, Iran's judiciary said on Tuesday.

On January&nbsp;3, a US&nbsp;drone strike in Iraq killed Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force. Washington blamed Soleimani for masterminding attacks by Iran-aligned militias on US&nbsp;forces in the region.&nbsp;

"Mahmoud Mousavi-Majd, one of the spies for CIA and Mossad has been sentenced to death. He gave the whereabouts of martyr Soleimani to our enemies," judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said in a televised news conference.&nbsp;

Following Soleimani's killing Iran retaliated with a rocket attack on Iraq’s Ain al-Asad base where U.S. forces were stationed on January&nbsp;8. No US&nbsp;troops were killed or faced immediate bodily injury, but hundreds were later diagnosed with traumatic brain injury.

An American airstrike&nbsp;killed Iranian Major-General Qasim Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis drove the already politically fractured region into an entirely new era of high tensions and instability.

President Trump celebrated the assassination of Soleimani as a big win for America, stating that the slain commander of the Iran Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force had put in harm's way multiple American lives.

As Iran promises revenge, people of the country came out by the&nbsp;millions to protest the American operation and pay their respects to the martyred 'Hero of the Iranian people'.

An Iranian citizen who provided information to US and Israeli intelligence services on the whereabouts of Iran's slain top commander Qassem Soleimani will be executed soon, Iran's judiciary said on Tuesday.

An Iranian citizen who provided information to US and Israeli intelligence services on the whereabouts of Iran's slain top commander Qassem Soleimani will be executed soon, Iran's judiciary said on Tuesday. On January 3, a US drone strike in Iraq killed Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force. Washington blamed Soleimani for masterminding attacks by Iran-aligned militias on US forces in the region. "Mahmoud Mousavi-Majd, one of the spies for CIA and Mossad has been sentenced to death. He gave the whereabouts of martyr Soleimani to our enemies," judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said in a televised news conference. Following Soleimani's killing Iran retaliated with a rocket attack on Iraq’s Ain al-Asad base where U.S. forces were stationed on January 8. No US troops were killed or faced immediate bodily injury, but hundreds were later diagnosed with traumatic brain injury. An American airstrike killed Iranian Major-General Qasim Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis drove the already politically fractured region into an entirely new era of high tensions and instability. President Trump celebrated the assassination of Soleimani as a big win for America, stating that the slain commander of the Iran Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force had put in harm's way multiple American lives. As Iran promises revenge, people of the country came out by the millions to protest the American operation and pay their respects to the martyred 'Hero of the Iranian people'.

Iran will execute CIA agent involved in commander Soleimani's killing, says official

Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Dilbag Singh on Monday complimented the security forces for successful operations in the past year and said that 88 terrorists, including several top commanders, were killed and 240 others arrested so far in the Union Territory this year.

He said during the press conference in the past two weeks, 22 terrorists were neutralised with the cooperation from the people. The operations involved the least collateral damages in most of the operations.

The security forces have killed 22 terrorists in the past two weeks, according to the Director-General of Police, Dilbag Singh.

The DGP complimented the security forces for successful operations. He said that during the last two weeks, 22 terrorists were neutralised with cooperation from the people. The operations involved the least collateral damages in most of the operations. The J&amp;K Police, Army &amp; CAPF is making all-out efforts in providing a more peaceful atmosphere for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"Our strategy to counter-Pakistan is two-pronged, which is to stop infiltration along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) and tackle those who are active in the hinterland, besides stopping local youth from joining terror ranks. Thankfully, we are successful to a large extent in this endeavour," he told reporters here.

Referring to the killing of nine Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists in two back-to-back successful operations in the past 24 hours in Shopian district of South Kashmir, the police chief said the effort of the security forces is to control and wipe out terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

"The 22 terrorists, especially the six top commanders who were killed in nine major operations in the past two weeks, have created fear among people," he said.

"They have a long list of crimes to their credit like the killing of innocent civilians after dubbing them as informers and attacks on security forces, entering homes of people forcibly. Their elimination will bring big relief to people in south Kashmir," he said.

(With inputs from PTI)

Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Dilbag Singh on Monday complimented the security forces for successful operations in the past year and said that 88 terrorists, including several top commanders, were killed and 240 others arrested so far in the Union Territory this year.

Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Dilbag Singh on Monday complimented the security forces for successful operations in the past year and said that 88 terrorists, including several top commanders, were killed and 240 others arrested so far in the Union Territory this year. He said during the press conference in the past two weeks, 22 terrorists were neutralised with the cooperation from the people. The operations involved the least collateral damages in most of the operations. The security forces have killed 22 terrorists in the past two weeks, according to the Director-General of Police, Dilbag Singh. The DGP complimented the security forces for successful operations. He said that during the last two weeks, 22 terrorists were neutralised with cooperation from the people. The operations involved the least collateral damages in most of the operations. The J&K Police, Army & CAPF is making all-out efforts in providing a more peaceful atmosphere for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "Our strategy to counter-Pakistan is two-pronged, which is to stop infiltration along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) and tackle those who are active in the hinterland, besides stopping local youth from joining terror ranks. Thankfully, we are successful to a large extent in this endeavour," he told reporters here. Referring to the killing of nine Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists in two back-to-back successful operations in the past 24 hours in Shopian district of South Kashmir, the police chief said the effort of the security forces is to control and wipe out terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir. "The 22 terrorists, especially the six top commanders who were killed in nine major operations in the past two weeks, have created fear among people," he said. "They have a long list of crimes to their credit like the killing of innocent civilians after dubbing them as informers and attacks on security forces, entering homes of people forcibly. Their elimination will bring big relief to people in south Kashmir," he said. (With inputs from PTI)

Over 80 terrorists killed, 240 associates arrested in Jammu and Kashmir this year: DGP Dilbag Singh

President Donald Trump threatened to deploy the military if states and cities failed to quell the protests sparked by the death of George Floyd.

Calling himself the "law and order" president, Trump said that&nbsp;he was deploying thousands of "heavily armed" soldiers and police to prevent further protests in Washington, where buildings and monuments have been vandalized near the White House.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tensions-rise-in-us-as-fires-burn-near-white-house-amid-riots-302482">Also read: Tensions rise in US as fires burn near White House amid riots</a>

“My first and highest duty as president is to defend our great country and the American people,” Trump said. “I swore an oath to uphold the laws of our nation and that is exactly what I will do.” 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/official-autopsy-reveals-floyds-homicide-caused-by-neck-compression-302503">Also read: Official autopsy reveals Floyd's 'homicide' caused by 'neck compression'</a>

"What happened in the city last night was a total disgrace," he said during a nationwide address.

"I am dispatching thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel and law enforcement officers to stop the rioting, looting, vandalism, assaults and the wanton destruction of property."

"I want the organizers of this terror to be on notice that you will face severe criminal penalties and lengthy sentences in jail," Trump said as police could be heard using tear gas and stun grenades to clear protestors just outside the White House. 
 
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/06/01/142782-untitled-design.jpg?itok=JMSBCNtG" />

Fireworks explode behind Ferguson Police during a protest against the death in Minneapolis police custody of African-American man George Floyd, in Ferguson, Missouri, U.S. May 31, 2020. (Reuters Photo) 
 
As Trump spoke, riot police and military police used tear gas to clear protesters out of a public square in front of the White House. Trump took a walk through the square after his remarks.

One week after Floyd died in Minneapolis, an autopsy blamed his videotaped death squarely on a white police officer who pinned him down by the neck with his knee for nearly nine minutes as Floyd pleaded, "I can't breathe!" 
 
"The evidence is consistent with mechanical asphyxia as the cause of death, and homicide as the manner of death," Aleccia Wilson, a University of Michigan expert who examined his body at the family's request, told a news conference.

The unrest has been the most widespread in the United States since 1968 when cities went up in flames over the slaying of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. and rekindled memories of 1992 riots in Los Angeles after police were acquitted in the brutal beating of black motorist Rodney King. 
 
(With inputs from AFP)

President Donald Trump threatened to deploy the military if states and cities failed to quell the protests sparked by the death of George Floyd. Calling himself the "law and order" president, Trump said that he was deploying thousands of "heavily armed" soldiers and police to prevent further protests in Washington, where buildings and monuments have been vandalized near the White House.

President Donald Trump threatened to deploy the military if states and cities failed to quell the protests sparked by the death of George Floyd. Calling himself the "law and order" president, Trump said that he was deploying thousands of "heavily armed" soldiers and police to prevent further protests in Washington, where buildings and monuments have been vandalized near the White House. Also read: Tensions rise in US as fires burn near White House amid riots “My first and highest duty as president is to defend our great country and the American people,” Trump said. “I swore an oath to uphold the laws of our nation and that is exactly what I will do.” Also read: Official autopsy reveals Floyd's 'homicide' caused by 'neck compression' "What happened in the city last night was a total disgrace," he said during a nationwide address. "I am dispatching thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel and law enforcement officers to stop the rioting, looting, vandalism, assaults and the wanton destruction of property." "I want the organizers of this terror to be on notice that you will face severe criminal penalties and lengthy sentences in jail," Trump said as police could be heard using tear gas and stun grenades to clear protestors just outside the White House. Fireworks explode behind Ferguson Police during a protest against the death in Minneapolis police custody of African-American man George Floyd, in Ferguson, Missouri, U.S. May 31, 2020. (Reuters Photo) As Trump spoke, riot police and military police used tear gas to clear protesters out of a public square in front of the White House. Trump took a walk through the square after his remarks. One week after Floyd died in Minneapolis, an autopsy blamed his videotaped death squarely on a white police officer who pinned him down by the neck with his knee for nearly nine minutes as Floyd pleaded, "I can't breathe!" "The evidence is consistent with mechanical asphyxia as the cause of death, and homicide as the manner of death," Aleccia Wilson, a University of Michigan expert who examined his body at the family's request, told a news conference. The unrest has been the most widespread in the United States since 1968 when cities went up in flames over the slaying of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. and rekindled memories of 1992 riots in Los Angeles after police were acquitted in the brutal beating of black motorist Rodney King. (With inputs from AFP)

Unrest in Washington a 'total disgrace', mobilizing 'heavily armed' military to stop protests: Trump

terrorism

Terrorism, News on Terrorism, stories on Terrorism, articles on Terrorism, Terrorism stories at Wion, Terrorism news, Terrorism latest news