<p>Can China be a trusted ally in the global war against terrorism? The question assumes significance as China continues&nbsp;giving steadfast protection to the chief of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad Masood Azhar. The country has gone so far as to prevent&nbsp;the United Nations Security Council from declaring Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.</p>

<p>India has accused the JeM and its top leader, Masood Azhar, of masterminding several attacks, including a deadly assault on an Indian air base in January last year. Six Indian soldiers, as well as five gunmen who stormed the Pathankot airbase, were killed.</p>

<p>China&rsquo;s opposition to proscribing Azhar is perplexing given that Jaish-e-Mohammad has already been blacklisted by the 15-nation Security Council of which China is one of the five permanent members. If China is party to the decision to outlaw JeM, then its decision not to let its leader bracket in the same category is beyond any logic.</p>

<p>It is high time the United Nations reconsider its original charter which gives veto power to five permanent members under which any one permanent nation can prevent the adoption of any substantive resolution. The rule of the majority of the five permanent members should follow. Otherwise, the international community will always be found wanting in its fight against terrorism due to double standards by some countries.</p>

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<p>This is the second time in as many years that China has blocked a combined bid by the United States, France and the United Kingdom to declare Azhar a global terrorist saying &ldquo;there is no consensus&rdquo; in the 1267 Committee of the UN Security Council. &nbsp;Where is the question of consensus if one country (read China) continues with its unwavering support for a dreaded terrorist like Azhar just only to please its ally Pakistan? Evidently, China is the lone wolf in the Security Council.</p>

<p>Last year also, it was the odd nation out in the 15-member Security Council to thwart India&rsquo;s bid to place Azhar on the 1267 sanctions list that would have entailed his travel ban and freezing of assets. India&rsquo;s application had the approval of all the other 14 members of the Security Council. Needless to say, China is misusing its veto power.</p>

<p>China&rsquo;s support for Azhar, therefore, raises suspicion about its commitment to fight terrorism. Barely a few months ago, it was a signatory to the Xiamen Declaration which had called upon the international community to establish a &quot;genuinely broad&quot; international counter-terrorism coalition. Not only that, it was also a party to a decision of the five-member BRICS nations summit which called for decisive action against militant groups based in Pakistan terming them as a security concern in the region.</p>

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<p>The groups named in the declaration included Taliban, (Islamic State), Al-Qaeda and its affiliates, including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e Mohammad, TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir. Both Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad are anti-India groups based in Pakistan and have routinely carried out militant attacks in Kashmir and elsewhere in the country.</p>

<p>India has accused LeT of carrying out the deadly terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008 in which at least 166 people were killed. JeM is also accused of masterminding the audacious attack on Indian Parliament in 2001. Masood Azhar is undoubtedly the prized asset for Pakistan. Not only has he meticulously planned several terrorist attacks against India, he has succeeded in creating an army of jihadis who are ready to lay down their lives at his command.</p>

<p>His importance lies in the fact that&nbsp;Pakistan government along with its army and notorious Inter-Services Intelligence had made several attempts to get him released from a jail after he was arrested in Kashmir in 1994. Five years later, the Indian government was forced to release him and two others - Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar and Omar Sheikh -&nbsp;in exchange for the safe release of passengers of the Indian Airlines flight -814 which was hijacked and taken to Kandahar in Afghanistan.</p>

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<p>If Azhar is declared a global terrorist, the government of Pakistan will be forced to arrest him and seize his assets. This is something the government does not want for two main reasons. Azhar has in the past threatened the government of violence if it made any such misadventure. Secondly, he enjoys the support of the Pakistani army.</p>

<p>Therefore, the Pakistani establishment is cagey while taking any action against him, because it does not have the spine to challenge its own army. China, too, understands the predicament of its all-weather ally. &nbsp;Therefore, it has been repeatedly blocking any attempt to outlaw Azhar even at the expense of its own image. For, China has in the past made several statements that there should be no double standards on counter-terrorism. China&rsquo;s action belies its alleged commitment against terrorism.</p>

<p>It should be understood that China has its own compulsions as far as protecting Azhar is concerned. It is more to do with returning favours to Pakistan. Pakistan has in the past come to the rescue of China in the powerful Organisation of Islamic Cooperation which was critical of the latter&rsquo;s repression of the Muslim Uighur community in Xinjiang province.</p>

<p>In the last two years, hundreds have died in unrest in Xinjiang. Activists have accused China of curtailing commercial as well as cultural activities of Uighur. In fact, a 2013 report of the Amnesty International was highly critical of China&rsquo;s handling of the situation in Xinjiang. It said authorities criminalised &ldquo;what they labelled &lsquo;illegal religious&rsquo; and &lsquo;separatist&rsquo; activities&rdquo; and clamped down on &ldquo;peaceful expressions of cultural identity.&rdquo;</p>

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<p>As far as terrorism is concerned, China&rsquo;s definition is completely at variant with the world. While the world recognises the exiled Dalai Lama as the Tibetan spiritual leader, China considers him as a &ldquo;dangerous separatist&rdquo;. The Nobel Peace Prize recipient, who fled into exile in India in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule, has repeatedly said that he is simply seeking genuine autonomy for his homeland.</p>

<p>China is accused of turning a blind eye to more than 150 Tibetans who have publicly immolated themselves over the years. Beijing is miffed with New Delhi for allowing Dalai Lama live in India. And that is also one of the reasons why it has been stonewalling New Delhi&rsquo;s attempts to sanction Azhar to get even with it.</p>

<p>It is amply clear that China does not want to walk along with the rest of the world in the fight against terrorism. It chooses to define terrorists according to its own understanding as has been the case with Pakistan. It is high time China realises the perils of differentiating between terrorists. Otherwise, it risks global isolation.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).</em></p>


China risks global isolation if it does not realises the perils of differentiating between the terrorists

Can China be a trusted ally in the global war against terrorism? The question assumes significance as China continues giving steadfast protection to the chief of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad Masood Azhar. The country has gone so far as to prevent the United Nations Security Council from declaring Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. India has accused the JeM and its top leader, Masood Azhar, of masterminding several attacks, including a deadly assault on an Indian air base in January last year. Six Indian soldiers, as well as five gunmen who stormed the Pathankot airbase, were killed. China’s opposition to proscribing Azhar is perplexing given that Jaish-e-Mohammad has already been blacklisted by the 15-nation Security Council of which China is one of the five permanent members. If China is party to the decision to outlaw JeM, then its decision not to let its leader bracket in the same category is beyond any logic. It is high time the United Nations reconsider its original charter which gives veto power to five permanent members under which any one permanent nation can prevent the adoption of any substantive resolution. The rule of the majority of the five permanent members should follow. Otherwise, the international community will always be found wanting in its fight against terrorism due to double standards by some countries. China is the lone wolf in the Security Council. × This is the second time in as many years that China has blocked a combined bid by the United States, France and the United Kingdom to declare Azhar a global terrorist saying “there is no consensus” in the 1267 Committee of the UN Security Council. Where is the question of consensus if one country (read China) continues with its unwavering support for a dreaded terrorist like Azhar just only to please its ally Pakistan? Evidently, China is the lone wolf in the Security Council. Last year also, it was the odd nation out in the 15-member Security Council to thwart India’s bid to place Azhar on the 1267 sanctions list that would have entailed his travel ban and freezing of assets. India’s application had the approval of all the other 14 members of the Security Council. Needless to say, China is misusing its veto power. China’s support for Azhar, therefore, raises suspicion about its commitment to fight terrorism. Barely a few months ago, it was a signatory to the Xiamen Declaration which had called upon the international community to establish a "genuinely broad" international counter-terrorism coalition. Not only that, it was also a party to a decision of the five-member BRICS nations summit which called for decisive action against militant groups based in Pakistan terming them as a security concern in the region. Both Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad are anti-India groups based in Pakistan and have routinely carried out militant attacks in Kashmir and elsewhere in the country. × The groups named in the declaration included Taliban, (Islamic State), Al-Qaeda and its affiliates, including Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e Mohammad, TTP and Hizb ut-Tahrir. Both Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad are anti-India groups based in Pakistan and have routinely carried out militant attacks in Kashmir and elsewhere in the country. India has accused LeT of carrying out the deadly terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008 in which at least 166 people were killed. JeM is also accused of masterminding the audacious attack on Indian Parliament in 2001. Masood Azhar is undoubtedly the prized asset for Pakistan. Not only has he meticulously planned several terrorist attacks against India, he has succeeded in creating an army of jihadis who are ready to lay down their lives at his command. His importance lies in the fact that Pakistan government along with its army and notorious Inter-Services Intelligence had made several attempts to get him released from a jail after he was arrested in Kashmir in 1994. Five years later, the Indian government was forced to release him and two others - Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar and Omar Sheikh - in exchange for the safe release of passengers of the Indian Airlines flight -814 which was hijacked and taken to Kandahar in Afghanistan. If Azhar is declared a global terrorist, the government of Pakistan will be forced to arrest him and seize his assets. × If Azhar is declared a global terrorist, the government of Pakistan will be forced to arrest him and seize his assets. This is something the government does not want for two main reasons. Azhar has in the past threatened the government of violence if it made any such misadventure. Secondly, he enjoys the support of the Pakistani army. Therefore, the Pakistani establishment is cagey while taking any action against him, because it does not have the spine to challenge its own army. China, too, understands the predicament of its all-weather ally. Therefore, it has been repeatedly blocking any attempt to outlaw Azhar even at the expense of its own image. For, China has in the past made several statements that there should be no double standards on counter-terrorism. China’s action belies its alleged commitment against terrorism. It should be understood that China has its own compulsions as far as protecting Azhar is concerned. It is more to do with returning favours to Pakistan. Pakistan has in the past come to the rescue of China in the powerful Organisation of Islamic Cooperation which was critical of the latter’s repression of the Muslim Uighur community in Xinjiang province. In the last two years, hundreds have died in unrest in Xinjiang. Activists have accused China of curtailing commercial as well as cultural activities of Uighur. In fact, a 2013 report of the Amnesty International was highly critical of China’s handling of the situation in Xinjiang. It said authorities criminalised “what they labelled ‘illegal religious’ and ‘separatist’ activities” and clamped down on “peaceful expressions of cultural identity.” China does not want to walk along with the rest of the world in the fight against terrorism. × As far as terrorism is concerned, China’s definition is completely at variant with the world. While the world recognises the exiled Dalai Lama as the Tibetan spiritual leader, China considers him as a “dangerous separatist”. The Nobel Peace Prize recipient, who fled into exile in India in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule, has repeatedly said that he is simply seeking genuine autonomy for his homeland. China is accused of turning a blind eye to more than 150 Tibetans who have publicly immolated themselves over the years. Beijing is miffed with New Delhi for allowing Dalai Lama live in India. And that is also one of the reasons why it has been stonewalling New Delhi’s attempts to sanction Azhar to get even with it. It is amply clear that China does not want to walk along with the rest of the world in the fight against terrorism. It chooses to define terrorists according to its own understanding as has been the case with Pakistan. It is high time China realises the perils of differentiating between terrorists. Otherwise, it risks global isolation. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: China drags its feet on fight against terror

<p>Pervez Musharraf has said that he is banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba&#39;s (LeT) &quot;biggest supporter&quot; and that he is aware that they &quot;like&quot; him too.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In an interview with Pakistan&#39;s ARY News, Musharraf said that he is similarly appreciative of&nbsp;LeT co-founder and the man thought to be the&nbsp;mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks Hafiz Saeed.</p>

<p>Musharraf was quoted as saying <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hafiz-saeed-walks-free-vows-to-fight-for-kashmir-cause-24988" target="_blank">Saeed &quot;is involved in Kashmir&quot;</a> and that he &quot;supports&quot; that involvement.</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hafiz-saeed-files-petition-in-un-to-remove-terrorist-tag-25302" target="_blank">Hafiz Saeed files petition in UN to get terrorist tag removed</a></p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-should-ensure-hafiz-saeed-is-arrested-us-25045" target="_blank">Pakistan should ensure Hafiz Saeed is </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-should-ensure-hafiz-saeed-is-arrested-us-25045" target="_blank">arrestedl</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-should-ensure-hafiz-saeed-is-arrested-us-25045" target="_blank">, says </a><a class="gr-progress" href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-should-ensure-hafiz-saeed-is-arrested-us-25045" target="_blank">US</a></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I am the biggest supporter of LeT and I know they like me &amp; JuD also likes me: Pervez Musharraf to Pakistan&#39;s ARY News, also said &#39;yes&#39; on being asked if he likes Hafiz Saeed, added that, &#39;I have met him (Hafiz Saeed)&#39; <a href="https://t.co/txxT58oPoU">pic.twitter.com/txxT58oPoU</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/935710968058822656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Was always in favor of action in Kashmir &amp; of suppressing Indian Army in Kashmir &amp; they are the biggest force (LeT), India got them declared as terrorists by partnering with US. Yes they (LeT) are involved in Kashmir &amp; in Kashmir it is b/w we &amp; India: Musharraf to ARY News <a href="https://t.co/b1fOAyreKl">pic.twitter.com/b1fOAyreKl</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/935712835278999557?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Hafiz Saeed is a&nbsp;United Nations-designated terrorist who was freed from house arrest last week on an order of Lahore high court.</p>

<p>The US also branded Saeed a terrorist and put a $10 million bounty on Saeed&#39;s head after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. Musharraf claimed Saeed was not involved in the Mumbai terror attack in 2008 because Saeed &quot;himself denied the charges&quot; of being the attacks&#39; mastermind.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/opinion-if-pakistan-army-wants-nothing-can-stop-hafiz-saeed-from-being-a-free-man-24881" target="_blank">Opinion: If Pakistan Army wants, Hafiz Saeed will be a free man</a></p>

<p>Musharraf was declared a fugitive from justice by Pakistan in August this year.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Musharraf also said he was appreciative of the man thought to be the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks -- LeT co-founder Hafeez Saeed

Pervez Musharraf has said that he is banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba's (LeT) "biggest supporter" and that he is aware that they "like" him too. In an interview with Pakistan's ARY News, Musharraf said that he is similarly appreciative of LeT co-founder and the man thought to be the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks Hafiz Saeed. Musharraf was quoted as saying Saeed "is involved in Kashmir" and that he "supports" that involvement. Also read: Hafiz Saeed files petition in UN to get terrorist tag removed Also read: Pakistan should ensure Hafiz Saeed is arrestedl, says US I am the biggest supporter of LeT and I know they like me & JuD also likes me: Pervez Musharraf to Pakistan's ARY News, also said 'yes' on being asked if he likes Hafiz Saeed, added that, 'I have met him (Hafiz Saeed)' pic.twitter.com/txxT58oPoU — ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2017 × Was always in favor of action in Kashmir & of suppressing Indian Army in Kashmir & they are the biggest force (LeT), India got them declared as terrorists by partnering with US. Yes they (LeT) are involved in Kashmir & in Kashmir it is b/w we & India: Musharraf to ARY News pic.twitter.com/b1fOAyreKl — ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2017 × Hafiz Saeed is a United Nations-designated terrorist who was freed from house arrest last week on an order of Lahore high court. The US also branded Saeed a terrorist and put a $10 million bounty on Saeed's head after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. Musharraf claimed Saeed was not involved in the Mumbai terror attack in 2008 because Saeed "himself denied the charges" of being the attacks' mastermind. Opinion: If Pakistan Army wants, Hafiz Saeed will be a free man Musharraf was declared a fugitive from justice by Pakistan in August this year.

I am Lashkar's biggest supporter, I know they like me: Pervez Musharraf

<p>Terrorist networks like the ISIS and Al Qaeda may soon begin instructing recruits on how to create killer viruses just like bomb-making lessons, a senior European Union (EU) security expert has warned.</p>

<p>Gilles de Kerchove, the EU&#39;s counter-terrorism co- ordinator, said that terror networks based in the Middle East like Al Qaeda and Islamic State (ISIS), could begin using the internet to instruct on the use of biological agents.</p>

<p>&quot;If we don&#39;t address the grievances which led to the creation of Daesh (ISIS), Sunni grievances against sectarian Shia policies, and state violence from [Syrian President] Assad, we are likely to see the resurgence of something that could be Daesh 2.0,&quot; Kerchove told a conference organised by the UK-based think tank Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in London this week.</p>

<p>Tracing that the first edition of &#39;Inspire&#39;, Al Qaeda&#39;s online propaganda magazine, had an article on &quot;how to make a bomb in your mum&#39;s kitchen&quot;, he said: &quot;What if anyone will have a similar article on how to process a virus in your mum&#39;s kitchen?&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;Unfortunately, it&#39;s probably easier than before for a lone actor to perpetrate an attack with catastrophic consequences.&quot; Kerchove also warned that terrorists could tap into networks of cyber criminals to develop or buy the expertise to launch a devastating cyber-attack.</p>

<p>Patrick McGuinness, the UK&#39;s Deputy National Security Adviser and one of British Prime Minister Theresa May&#39;s senior-most security advisers, agreed that all terrorists needed was the &quot;internet and a mindset&quot; to perpetrate global atrocities and it was important to defeat them online.</p>

<p>&quot;The frontline [against ISIS] is now online...Until there is not a presence online, until ISIS cannot occupy space online freely, we will not be safe,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>He said the speed at which people are &quot;brought to violence&quot; was now &quot;almost too fast to catch&#39;&#39; without the most extraordinary intrusive surveillance techniques which are not going to be sustainable or acceptable in a Western democracy.</p>

<p>The UK&#39;s security minister, Ben Wallace, told the conference a total of eight planned attacks had been thwarted since the ISIS-inspired attack on the UK Parliament building in Westminster in March this year, bringing the total to 21 since 2013.</p>

<p>&quot;Nearly 600 investigative leads are ongoing, covering about 3,000 people and approximately another 20,000 people who we have at some stage had concern about,&quot; he told RUSI&#39;s Westminster Counter-terrorism Conference.</p>

<p>&quot;It is not a spike in the threat, but a shift that we are now facing, and that is something we all have to deal with,&quot; he added.<br />
Wallace said a new counter-terrorism strategy is set to be unveiled by the UK government in the New Year, to keep &quot;one step ahead of the terrorists&quot;.&nbsp;</p>


Gilles de Kerchove, the EU's counter-terrorism co- ordinator, said that terror networks like Al Qaeda and Islamic State (ISIS), could begin using the internet to instruct on the use of biological agents

Terrorist networks like the ISIS and Al Qaeda may soon begin instructing recruits on how to create killer viruses just like bomb-making lessons, a senior European Union (EU) security expert has warned. Gilles de Kerchove, the EU's counter-terrorism co- ordinator, said that terror networks based in the Middle East like Al Qaeda and Islamic State (ISIS), could begin using the internet to instruct on the use of biological agents. "If we don't address the grievances which led to the creation of Daesh (ISIS), Sunni grievances against sectarian Shia policies, and state violence from [Syrian President] Assad, we are likely to see the resurgence of something that could be Daesh 2.0," Kerchove told a conference organised by the UK-based think tank Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in London this week. Tracing that the first edition of 'Inspire', Al Qaeda's online propaganda magazine, had an article on "how to make a bomb in your mum's kitchen", he said: "What if anyone will have a similar article on how to process a virus in your mum's kitchen?" "Unfortunately, it's probably easier than before for a lone actor to perpetrate an attack with catastrophic consequences." Kerchove also warned that terrorists could tap into networks of cyber criminals to develop or buy the expertise to launch a devastating cyber-attack. Patrick McGuinness, the UK's Deputy National Security Adviser and one of British Prime Minister Theresa May's senior-most security advisers, agreed that all terrorists needed was the "internet and a mindset" to perpetrate global atrocities and it was important to defeat them online. "The frontline [against ISIS] is now online...Until there is not a presence online, until ISIS cannot occupy space online freely, we will not be safe," he said. He said the speed at which people are "brought to violence" was now "almost too fast to catch'' without the most extraordinary intrusive surveillance techniques which are not going to be sustainable or acceptable in a Western democracy. The UK's security minister, Ben Wallace, told the conference a total of eight planned attacks had been thwarted since the ISIS-inspired attack on the UK Parliament building in Westminster in March this year, bringing the total to 21 since 2013. "Nearly 600 investigative leads are ongoing, covering about 3,000 people and approximately another 20,000 people who we have at some stage had concern about," he told RUSI's Westminster Counter-terrorism Conference. "It is not a spike in the threat, but a shift that we are now facing, and that is something we all have to deal with," he added. Wallace said a new counter-terrorism strategy is set to be unveiled by the UK government in the New Year, to keep "one step ahead of the terrorists".

EU expert warns against terrorists using killer virus

<p>Three <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-20-year-old-football-player-who-joined-let-surrenders-to-security-forces-24419">Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT) terrorists</a> were gunned down in an encounter with security forces in Handwara in Kupwara&nbsp;district of Jammu and Kashmir.</p>

<p>DGP SP Vaid tweeted saying,&quot;Three LeT terrorists all Pakistanis neutralized in Magam area of Handwara district in North Kashmir. Excellent work!.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Three LeT terrorists all Pakistanis neutralised in Magam area of Handwara district in North Kashmir. Excellent work!</p>
&mdash; Shesh Paul Vaid (@spvaid) <a href="https://twitter.com/spvaid/status/932814812718837762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;One terrorist was a local of the area, the other a Pak national named Ali&nbsp;was instrumental in carrying out terrorist activities&nbsp;in&nbsp;Hajin area,&quot;&nbsp;Vaid said.</p>

<p>The encounter took place after security forces received a tip-off about the presence of terrorists in the area, a search operation was launched immediately resulting in a gunbattle with the three terrorists.</p>


The encounter took place after security forces received a tip-off about the presence of terrorists in the area

Three Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT) terrorists were gunned down in an encounter with security forces in Handwara in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. DGP SP Vaid tweeted saying,"Three LeT terrorists all Pakistanis neutralized in Magam area of Handwara district in North Kashmir. Excellent work!." Three LeT terrorists all Pakistanis neutralised in Magam area of Handwara district in North Kashmir. Excellent work! — Shesh Paul Vaid (@spvaid) November 21, 2017 × "One terrorist was a local of the area, the other a Pak national named Ali was instrumental in carrying out terrorist activities in Hajin area," Vaid said. The encounter took place after security forces received a tip-off about the presence of terrorists in the area, a search operation was launched immediately resulting in a gunbattle with the three terrorists.

Watch: 3 LeT terrorists killed in J&K encounter, 'excellent work' tweets DGP Vaid

<p>At least 14 terrorists belonging to the Kurdistan Workers&#39; Party or PKK insurgent group were killed by the Turkish forces in southeastern Diyarbakir province on Saturday.</p>

<p>According to the Anadolu Agency, the Governor`s office in a statement said that another two were caught alive.</p>

<p>The operation launched on November 16 in Kulp district of the province is still underway.</p>

<p>A large number of weapons including 10 kilograms of explosives were also recovered during the operation.</p>

<p>Earlier, the forces killed 68 terrorists after they conducted 1,476 operations against terrorist organizations between October 30 and November 6.</p>

<p>The Kurdistan Workers&#39; Party or the PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey.</p>

<p>In the recent past, the clashes between the security forces and the PKK terrorists have intensified, in which more than 1,200 people, including members of security forces and civilians, have lost their lives.&nbsp;</p>


A Large number of weapons including 10 kilograms of explosives were also recovered during the operation

At least 14 terrorists belonging to the Kurdistan Workers' Party or PKK insurgent group were killed by the Turkish forces in southeastern Diyarbakir province on Saturday. According to the Anadolu Agency, the Governor`s office in a statement said that another two were caught alive. The operation launched on November 16 in Kulp district of the province is still underway. A large number of weapons including 10 kilograms of explosives were also recovered during the operation. Earlier, the forces killed 68 terrorists after they conducted 1,476 operations against terrorist organizations between October 30 and November 6. The Kurdistan Workers' Party or the PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey. In the recent past, the clashes between the security forces and the PKK terrorists have intensified, in which more than 1,200 people, including members of security forces and civilians, have lost their lives.

Turkey forces kill 14 Kurdistan Workers' Party terrorists

<p>Terrorists ambushed 4 Assam Regiment in Manipur on Monday.</p>

<p>The incident occurred in Chandel&#39;s Sajik Tampak area.</p>

<p>One terrorist was killed in the encounter with two Army personnel injured.</p>

<p>Firing is still underway.</p>


One terrorist was killed in the encounter with two Army personnel injured.

Terrorists ambushed 4 Assam Regiment in Manipur on Monday. The incident occurred in Chandel's Sajik Tampak area. One terrorist was killed in the encounter with two Army personnel injured. Firing is still underway.

Terrorists ambush Assam Regiment soldiers in Manipur

<p>In the past few months, Google has been actively keeping a check on YouTube content.&nbsp;The video sharing website had removed several extremist videos from the site.</p>

<p>As part of its new policy, Google aims to keep a check on videos featuring people and groups that have been designated as &quot;terrorists&quot;&nbsp;by the US or British government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The move comes&nbsp;after the company faced increasing pressure from governments.&nbsp;The new policy will restrict terrorist groups based on the government&#39;s list.</p>

<p>However, the policy will not affect news clips or educational videos about terrorism.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Citing that such content in the website radicalises viewers and results in deadly terror attacks, governments and human right groups have been forcing YouTube to crackdown on extremist videos for a long time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier the company had announced that &ldquo;inflammatory religious or supremacist content&rdquo; that does not violates its policies would be allowed with warning labels.</p>

<p>Such videos were restricted to any advertisement revenue.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Google General counsel Kent Walker had said in a blog post&nbsp;then calling for a &quot;right balance&quot;&nbsp;between &quot;free expression&quot;&nbsp;and &quot;access to information without promoting extremely offensive viewpoints.&quot;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


As part of its new policy, Google aims to keep a check on videos featuring people and groups that have been designated as terrorists by the US or British government

In the past few months, Google has been actively keeping a check on YouTube content. The video sharing website had removed several extremist videos from the site. As part of its new policy, Google aims to keep a check on videos featuring people and groups that have been designated as "terrorists" by the US or British government. The move comes after the company faced increasing pressure from governments. The new policy will restrict terrorist groups based on the government's list. However, the policy will not affect news clips or educational videos about terrorism. Citing that such content in the website radicalises viewers and results in deadly terror attacks, governments and human right groups have been forcing YouTube to crackdown on extremist videos for a long time. Earlier the company had announced that “inflammatory religious or supremacist content” that does not violates its policies would be allowed with warning labels. Such videos were restricted to any advertisement revenue. Google General counsel Kent Walker had said in a blog post then calling for a "right balance" between "free expression" and "access to information without promoting extremely offensive viewpoints."

Google's new policy to widen control on 'extremist' videos on YouTube

<p>&nbsp;A police vehicle was fired upon by terrorists in&nbsp;Jammu and Kashmir.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FLASH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FLASH</a> J&amp;K: Terrorists fire upon Police vehicle in Kulgam&#39;s Qazigund. No injuries reported. More details awaited. <a href="https://t.co/eLksp71z7L">pic.twitter.com/eLksp71z7L</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/928876828009275398?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The attack occurred in Kulgam district&#39;s Qazigund.</p>

<p>No injuries were reported.</p>


The attack occurred in Kulgam district?Qazigund

A police vehicle was fired upon by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. #FLASH J&K: Terrorists fire upon Police vehicle in Kulgam's Qazigund. No injuries reported. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/eLksp71z7L — ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2017 × The attack occurred in Kulgam district's Qazigund. No injuries were reported.

Terrorists fire at police vehicle in Kashmir, no injuries

<p>Two Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) hideouts were today busted by security forces in Tral area of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">J&amp;K: Two Jaish e Mohammad hideouts busted by security forces in Tral. Search operation continues</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/923833206893248512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">J&amp;K: Two Jaish e Mohammad hideouts busted by security forces in Tral. Search operation continues <a href="https://t.co/CPfYwcnlxt">pic.twitter.com/CPfYwcnlxt</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/923850009170210817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>A police official said &quot;two major Jaish hideouts were busted by security forces at Naristan in Tral area,&quot; and that the search operations were still going on.</p>

<p>The official said that the details of the operation would be given once it is completed.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>


The Jaish-e-Muhammad hideouts were busted in Tral area of Pulwama district

Two Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) hideouts were today busted by security forces in Tral area of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir. J&K: Two Jaish e Mohammad hideouts busted by security forces in Tral. Search operation continues — ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2017 × J&K: Two Jaish e Mohammad hideouts busted by security forces in Tral. Search operation continues pic.twitter.com/CPfYwcnlxt — ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2017 × A police official said "two major Jaish hideouts were busted by security forces at Naristan in Tral area," and that the search operations were still going on. The official said that the details of the operation would be given once it is completed.

J&K: 2 JeM hideouts busted by security forces in Pulwama

<p>Suspected terrorists barged inside a police post guarding the court complex of southern Shopian district in Jammu and Kashmir late on Tuesday night, and decamped with five service rifles.</p>

<p>The terrorists decamped along with five service rifles including four INSAS rifles and an AK-47 rifle.</p>

<p>This is the second incident in a week targeting weapons of police personnel, as on May 1st, Rajouri was put on high alert after the weapon of a policeman was stolen from the station itself.</p>

<p>The police said that an AK 47 rifle of a police personnel was stolen.</p>

<p>Last month, a large cache of arms and ammunition, including 35 assorted rifles belonging to the police went missing in south Kashmir.</p>

<p>Among the arms and ammunition that are still untraced are 21 INSAS rifles, 12 SLR rifles, two AK 47 rifles, one Light Machine Gun and three Carbine Machine Guns.</p>

<p>Incidents of gun snatching are notorious in the Valley, as several cases have been reported of terrorists or gunmen barging into police stations and wresting the weapons from the personnel.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(ANI)</p>


The terrorists decamped along with five service rifles including four INSAS rifles and an AK-47 rifle

Suspected terrorists barged inside a police post guarding the court complex of southern Shopian district in Jammu and Kashmir late on Tuesday night, and decamped with five service rifles. The terrorists decamped along with five service rifles including four INSAS rifles and an AK-47 rifle. This is the second incident in a week targeting weapons of police personnel, as on May 1st, Rajouri was put on high alert after the weapon of a policeman was stolen from the station itself. The police said that an AK 47 rifle of a police personnel was stolen. Last month, a large cache of arms and ammunition, including 35 assorted rifles belonging to the police went missing in south Kashmir. Among the arms and ammunition that are still untraced are 21 INSAS rifles, 12 SLR rifles, two AK 47 rifles, one Light Machine Gun and three Carbine Machine Guns. Incidents of gun snatching are notorious in the Valley, as several cases have been reported of terrorists or gunmen barging into police stations and wresting the weapons from the personnel. (ANI)

Suspected terrorists barge into police post, decamp with rifles in Kashmir

<p>The Supreme Court will today hear a petition filed by advocate Harvinder Choudhry seeking a ban on jokes against the Sikh community.</p>

<p>Choudhary had earlier contended that such jokes portray the Sikh community in a&nbsp;negative light and wants such websites, which disseminate such `insensitive` jokes, to be prosecuted under laws that carry a prison term of six months to five years.</p>

<p>The petitioner argued that such jokes on many social network websites portray Sikhs as &#39;unintelligent&#39;, &#39;foolish&#39; and &#39;na&iuml;ve&#39;, making them an easy target of ridicule and racial abuse.</p>

<p>Choudhary, herself belonging to a Sikh family, said that she too had been a target of ridicule and abuse because of such jokes.</p>

<p>The apex court has asked an expert panel headed by former apex court judge HS Bedi to submit draft guidelines so that appropriate orders can be passed to prevent circulation of Sardar jokes on websites.</p>

<p>In July, a bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud gave six weeks time for the panel to hold discussions and submit the guidelines.</p>

<p>The bench passed the order after hearing the counsel for various parties including the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) which said that the community is being bullied by such jokes.</p>

<p>(ANI)&nbsp;</p>


Three people were arrested in Spain and two in Hungary, with suspected links to Islamic State terrorists

The Supreme Court will today hear a petition filed by advocate Harvinder Choudhry seeking a ban on jokes against the Sikh community. Choudhary had earlier contended that such jokes portray the Sikh community in a negative light and wants such websites, which disseminate such `insensitive` jokes, to be prosecuted under laws that carry a prison term of six months to five years. The petitioner argued that such jokes on many social network websites portray Sikhs as 'unintelligent', 'foolish' and 'naïve', making them an easy target of ridicule and racial abuse. Choudhary, herself belonging to a Sikh family, said that she too had been a target of ridicule and abuse because of such jokes. The apex court has asked an expert panel headed by former apex court judge HS Bedi to submit draft guidelines so that appropriate orders can be passed to prevent circulation of Sardar jokes on websites. In July, a bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud gave six weeks time for the panel to hold discussions and submit the guidelines. The bench passed the order after hearing the counsel for various parties including the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) which said that the community is being bullied by such jokes. (ANI)

Spain, Hungary arrest suspected Islamic State terrorists

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Three civilians working as labourers were killed in a pre-dawn terror attack by militants on a General Engineering Reserve Force camp near LoC in Akhnoor sector of Jammu.&nbsp;Two or more militants attacked the General Engineering Reserve Force (GREF) camp around 1 am near LoC in Battal village, sources said.</p>

<p>Militants likely infiltrated from across the border to carry out the terror attack, sources said.&nbsp;In the attack, three civilians were killed, the victims were working as labourers with GREF.&nbsp;Troops along with police have cordoned off the area and a counter operation has started.</p>

<p>A senior police officer said all routes to the area have been plugged and the operation is in full swing.</p>

<p>(PTI &amp; Agencies)</p>


Heavily armed shooters attacked a General Reserve Engineer Force camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Akhnoor district

Three civilians working as labourers were killed in a pre-dawn terror attack by militants on a General Engineering Reserve Force camp near LoC in Akhnoor sector of Jammu. Two or more militants attacked the General Engineering Reserve Force (GREF) camp around 1 am near LoC in Battal village, sources said. Militants likely infiltrated from across the border to carry out the terror attack, sources said. In the attack, three civilians were killed, the victims were working as labourers with GREF. Troops along with police have cordoned off the area and a counter operation has started. A senior police officer said all routes to the area have been plugged and the operation is in full swing. (PTI & Agencies)

Terror strike in J&K's Akhnoor district, 3 civilians killed

<p>Nearly 200 terrorists are now active in Jammu and Kashmir, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.</p>

<p>&quot;As per available inputs, nearly 200 terrorists are active in the state of Jammu and Kashmir,&quot; minister of state for home Hansraj Ahir said today.</p>

<p>As per available inputs, 105 terrorists have infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir after crossing the Line of Control till September this year, he added.</p>

<p>There were 2,069 incidents of law and order in Kashmir Valley in last two years, of which 627 incidents took place in Baramulla, 507 in Srinagar, 302 in Pulwama and 261 in Anantnag.</p>

<p>(WION with inputs from PTI)</p>


105 terrorists have infiltrated into Jammu & Kashmir after crossing the Line of Control till September this year

Nearly 200 terrorists are now active in Jammu and Kashmir, the Rajya Sabha was informed today. "As per available inputs, nearly 200 terrorists are active in the state of Jammu and Kashmir," minister of state for home Hansraj Ahir said today. As per available inputs, 105 terrorists have infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir after crossing the Line of Control till September this year, he added. There were 2,069 incidents of law and order in Kashmir Valley in last two years, of which 627 incidents took place in Baramulla, 507 in Srinagar, 302 in Pulwama and 261 in Anantnag. (WION with inputs from PTI)

200 terrorists active in Jammu and Kashmir: Indian Government

<p>In a shocking development, two freshly minted notes of Rs&nbsp;2,000 were recovered from the bodies of the two terrorists, who were gunned down today in an encounter with security forces in Bandipora, Jammu and Kashmir.</p>

<p>The Army and the police in a joint operation had cordoned off the area to smoke out the two terrorists who were holed up and had opened fire, thus engaging in a heavy gunbattle early in the morning.</p>

<p>Yesterday, four masked men with arms along with them entered into a bank at a state-run Jammu and Kashmir branch in Malpora and left with Rs 13 lakh largely comprising of the scrapped 500 and 1,000 note currencies.</p>

<p>Earlier, three masked men had looted a bank of Rs 2.25 lakh in Kulgam district on October 25.</p>

<p>While announcing the radical step of demonetisation on November 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured that this move was targeting tax evasion, corruption and forgery and also stressed that terror attacks including those facilitated by Pakistan often include counterfeit 500-rupee notes.</p>

<p>(ANI)</p>


The two terrorists were gunned down today in an encounter with security forces in the Bandipora region

In a shocking development, two freshly minted notes of Rs 2,000 were recovered from the bodies of the two terrorists, who were gunned down today in an encounter with security forces in Bandipora, Jammu and Kashmir. The Army and the police in a joint operation had cordoned off the area to smoke out the two terrorists who were holed up and had opened fire, thus engaging in a heavy gunbattle early in the morning. Yesterday, four masked men with arms along with them entered into a bank at a state-run Jammu and Kashmir branch in Malpora and left with Rs 13 lakh largely comprising of the scrapped 500 and 1,000 note currencies. Earlier, three masked men had looted a bank of Rs 2.25 lakh in Kulgam district on October 25. While announcing the radical step of demonetisation on November 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured that this move was targeting tax evasion, corruption and forgery and also stressed that terror attacks including those facilitated by Pakistan often include counterfeit 500-rupee notes. (ANI)

New Rs 2000 notes recovered from bodies of terrorists killed in Kashmir

<p>Several videos have surfaced -- and troubling questions arisen -- following the killing of eight escapees from a high-security jail in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.</p>

<p>The escapees were all undertrials and accused of being members of the Students&#39; Islamic Movement of India or SIMI, a group that was&nbsp;banned in India in 2001. The escapees faced different charges from sedition to murder.</p>

<p>The eight men escaped from a jail in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, on Monday. They left behind one dead prison guard, whom they allegedly killed with knives fashioned from steel plates and glasses issued to them in prison.</p>

<p>A few hours&nbsp;later all eight undertrials were dead.</p>

<p>WION cannot verify the authenticity of the videos.</p>

<p>The one below shows apparently dead men lying on the ground. A man in plainclothes is seen recovering a large knife from one of them. Then a&nbsp;voice in the background says,&nbsp;&ldquo;Zinda hai, maaro.&rdquo; (He is alive, kill him.)</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Longer version of the video of the encounter by Madhya Pradesh Police of SIMI under-trials which looks as fake as it gets. <a href="https://t.co/NiPPYOoUSP">pic.twitter.com/NiPPYOoUSP</a></p>
&mdash; Pratik Sinha (@free_thinker) <a href="https://twitter.com/free_thinker/status/793092329385168896">October 31, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p>A policeman in uniform then points a rifle at a body, and shoots -- an arm moves -- while another voice says, &quot;Put one in the chest... He will die.&quot;</p>

<p>The escapees were caught on a hilltop only 8 kilometres from the Bhopal Central Jail.</p>

<p>India&#39;s National Investigation Agency is probing the jailbreak.</p>

<p>(WION)</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The videos have not yet been authenticated but they have led to people asking if the killings were staged

Several videos have surfaced -- and troubling questions arisen -- following the killing of eight escapees from a high-security jail in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The escapees were all undertrials and accused of being members of the Students' Islamic Movement of India or SIMI, a group that was banned in India in 2001. The escapees faced different charges from sedition to murder. The eight men escaped from a jail in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, on Monday. They left behind one dead prison guard, whom they allegedly killed with knives fashioned from steel plates and glasses issued to them in prison. A few hours later all eight undertrials were dead. WION cannot verify the authenticity of the videos. The one below shows apparently dead men lying on the ground. A man in plainclothes is seen recovering a large knife from one of them. Then a voice in the background says, “Zinda hai, maaro.” (He is alive, kill him.) Longer version of the video of the encounter by Madhya Pradesh Police of SIMI under-trials which looks as fake as it gets. pic.twitter.com/NiPPYOoUSP — Pratik Sinha (@free_thinker) October 31, 2016 × A policeman in uniform then points a rifle at a body, and shoots -- an arm moves -- while another voice says, "Put one in the chest... He will die." The escapees were caught on a hilltop only 8 kilometres from the Bhopal Central Jail. India's National Investigation Agency is probing the jailbreak. (WION)

Bhopal encounter deaths: Videos surface, questions arise after all eight 'escapees' from Indian jail are killed

<p>By Abhishek Bhalla</p>

<p>There has been an alarming surge in militant&nbsp;infiltrations from across Pakistan border, Indian authorities said.</p>

<p>Eighty-seven cross-border infiltrations have been reported so far this year, while the tally last year was 10, an unnamed official&nbsp;said.</p>

<p>Insiders warn that the situation is going to get worse as Pakistan-based militants are planning to launch retaliatory attacks following the surgical strikes allegedly conducted by India last month.</p>

<p>&ldquo;The infiltration attempts are still continuing,&rdquo; said a government official when asked whether India&#39;s strikes on the other side of Line of Control (LoC is a de facto border dividing India and Pakistan) has deterred militants in Pakistan.</p>

<p>The assessment of infiltrations increasing is based on ground intelligence from civilians, intercepts and evidence of fence-cutting in some areas.</p>

<p>Sources said the number of Pakistan-based militants who have been killed this year has also increased due to the jump in infiltration bids. Last year, in the corresponding period, around 70 militants were gunned down, while the tally this year is 128. The Indian army has killed 120 militants and the remaining eight were gunned down by either the paramilitary, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) or the local police.</p>

<p>Sources said a number of infiltrations have occurred along the LoC and it seems militants are going back to the old routes used for surreptitiously entering&nbsp;Indian territory. In 2013 and 2014, there had been increased infiltration bids from new routes along the International Border (IB).</p>

<p>Fears of&nbsp;recruitment by Pakistan-based militant groups&nbsp;has also alarmed Indian security forces. It is estimated that around 100 men have gone missing in the last three months.</p>

<p><strong>Kashmir causes worry</strong></p>

<p>Violent protests in India&#39;s Kashmir has also been a cause of worry for Indian security forces.</p>

<p>More than 100 arms have been looted by agitators following Hizbul Mujahideen local commander Burhan Wani&#39;s death in an encounter by Indian forces. Sources said militants are looting weapons to arm the new recruits.</p>

<p>Wani&rsquo;s killing on July 8 triggered mass protests across Kashmir. Over 80 have died and thousands wounded ever since the upheaval sparked off in the Valley three months ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Pakistan &#39;plugging&#39; border gaps</strong></p>

<p>Intelligence inputs also indicate that after India&rsquo;s surgical strikes, the Pakistani Army has carried out &ldquo;precautionary deployment&rdquo; all along the LoC, as they fear another round of strikes from Indian forces.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Soon after our raids, they have increased deployment in areas they consider vulnerable. Precautionary deployment is roughly 25 per cent of a full mobilisation aimed to plug the gaps,&rdquo; said an unnamed intelligence officer.</p>

<p>(WION with inputs from DNA)</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Indian security forces fear that infiltration bids may rise further as Pakistan-based militant groups are currently on a recruitment spree

By Abhishek Bhalla There has been an alarming surge in militant infiltrations from across Pakistan border, Indian authorities said. Eighty-seven cross-border infiltrations have been reported so far this year, while the tally last year was 10, an unnamed official said. Insiders warn that the situation is going to get worse as Pakistan-based militants are planning to launch retaliatory attacks following the surgical strikes allegedly conducted by India last month. “The infiltration attempts are still continuing,” said a government official when asked whether India's strikes on the other side of Line of Control (LoC is a de facto border dividing India and Pakistan) has deterred militants in Pakistan. The assessment of infiltrations increasing is based on ground intelligence from civilians, intercepts and evidence of fence-cutting in some areas. Sources said the number of Pakistan-based militants who have been killed this year has also increased due to the jump in infiltration bids. Last year, in the corresponding period, around 70 militants were gunned down, while the tally this year is 128. The Indian army has killed 120 militants and the remaining eight were gunned down by either the paramilitary, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) or the local police. Sources said a number of infiltrations have occurred along the LoC and it seems militants are going back to the old routes used for surreptitiously entering Indian territory. In 2013 and 2014, there had been increased infiltration bids from new routes along the International Border (IB). Fears of recruitment by Pakistan-based militant groups has also alarmed Indian security forces. It is estimated that around 100 men have gone missing in the last three months. Kashmir causes worry Violent protests in India's Kashmir has also been a cause of worry for Indian security forces. More than 100 arms have been looted by agitators following Hizbul Mujahideen local commander Burhan Wani's death in an encounter by Indian forces. Sources said militants are looting weapons to arm the new recruits. Wani’s killing on July 8 triggered mass protests across Kashmir. Over 80 have died and thousands wounded ever since the upheaval sparked off in the Valley three months ago. Pakistan 'plugging' border gaps Intelligence inputs also indicate that after India’s surgical strikes, the Pakistani Army has carried out “precautionary deployment” all along the LoC, as they fear another round of strikes from Indian forces. “Soon after our raids, they have increased deployment in areas they consider vulnerable. Precautionary deployment is roughly 25 per cent of a full mobilisation aimed to plug the gaps,” said an unnamed intelligence officer. (WION with inputs from DNA)

Nearly nine-fold surge in militant infiltrations from across Pakistan border: India

Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday refugees had not brought terrorism to Germany, adding that Islam belonged in the country as long as it was practised in a way that respected the constitution.<br />
<br />
More than a million people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere arrived in Germany last year. The mood towards them has soured after a spate of attacks on civilians last month, including three carried out by migrants.<br />
<br />
Two of those attacks were claimed by the Islamic State militant group.<br />
<br />
&quot;The phenomenon of Islamist terrorism, of IS, is not a phenomenon that came to us with the refugees,&quot; Merkel said at an election campaign event for her Christian Democrats in the eastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern ahead of a regional vote on Sept. 4.<br />
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Merkel said many people had travelled from Germany to Syria for training with Islamist militants. In June Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said a total of more than 800 were believed to have gone to Syria and Iraq.<br />
<br />
&quot;This group has worried us for several years,&quot; she said at the event in Neustrelitz, a town 100 km (60 miles) north of Berlin.<br />
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Merkel&#39;s popularity has suffered in the wake of the attacks and 52 percent of Germans think her migrant policy is bad, a poll published last week showed.<br />
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The influx of migrants, many of whom are Muslim, has boosted support for the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is expected to perform well in elections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin.<br />
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&quot;We have said clearly that an Islam that works and lives on the basis of the constitution ... belongs to Germany,&quot; Merkel said.<br />
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She added that a type of Islam that did not stick to the constitution or accept equal rights for women had no place in the country.<br />
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(Reuters)

The mood towards refugees in the country soured after recent attacks on civilians including three by migrants

Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday refugees had not brought terrorism to Germany, adding that Islam belonged in the country as long as it was practised in a way that respected the constitution. More than a million people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere arrived in Germany last year. The mood towards them has soured after a spate of attacks on civilians last month, including three carried out by migrants. Two of those attacks were claimed by the Islamic State militant group. "The phenomenon of Islamist terrorism, of IS, is not a phenomenon that came to us with the refugees," Merkel said at an election campaign event for her Christian Democrats in the eastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern ahead of a regional vote on Sept. 4. Merkel said many people had travelled from Germany to Syria for training with Islamist militants. In June Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said a total of more than 800 were believed to have gone to Syria and Iraq. "This group has worried us for several years," she said at the event in Neustrelitz, a town 100 km (60 miles) north of Berlin. Merkel's popularity has suffered in the wake of the attacks and 52 percent of Germans think her migrant policy is bad, a poll published last week showed. The influx of migrants, many of whom are Muslim, has boosted support for the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is expected to perform well in elections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin. "We have said clearly that an Islam that works and lives on the basis of the constitution ... belongs to Germany," Merkel said. She added that a type of Islam that did not stick to the constitution or accept equal rights for women had no place in the country. (Reuters)

Refugees did not bring terrorism, says German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Europe is at major risk of &quot;lone wolf&quot; terror attacks, its policing agency said today, with the latest incidents showing &quot;how difficult it is to detect and disrupt suspects&quot;.<br />
<br />
Recent incidents including Monday&#39;s attack on a German train and last week&#39;s carnage in Nice which left 84 people dead &quot;remain a favoured tactic by the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda,&quot; Europol said in a statement.<br />
<br />
&quot;Both groups have repeatedly called on Muslims living in western countries to perpetrate lone actor attacks in their countries of residence,&quot; it said.<br />
<br />
In the latest incident, the Islamic State group on Tuesday released a video purportedly featuring a 17-year-old migrant who went on an axe rampage on a train at Wuerzburg in southern Germany, injuring five people, two critically.<br />
<br />
&quot;Although IS has claimed responsibility for the latest attacks, none seem to have been planned, logistically supported or executed directly by IS,&quot; Europol said,<br />
<br />
Despite the attackers&#39; pledges of allegiance to the IS group, &quot;their actual involvement cannot be established,&quot; Europol said.<br />
<br />
The Hague-based policing organisation also released its 2015 &quot;EU Terrorism and Trend Report&quot; saying 151 people died and more than 350 others were injured in terror attacks last year in the 28-member bloc.<br />
<br />
The 55-page report only looked at 2015 and did not take into account the Nice attack or the attacks on the Brussels airport and metro stations in March in which 32 people died.<br />
<br />
&quot;In 2015 the EU (European Union) experienced a massive number of casualties caused by terrorist attacks,&quot; Europol chief Rob Wainwright said.<br />
<br />
&quot;The carefully planned attacks demonstrate the elevated threat to the EU from a fanatical minority based in the Middle East, combined with a network of people born and raised in the EU,&quot; he said.<br />
<br />
These people are &quot;often radicalised within a short space of time, (and) proven willing to act as facilitators and active accomplices in terrorism,&quot; Wainwright said.<br />
<br />
A significant number of all foreign terrorist travellers in Syria and Iraq are now female, the report said, and women have also &quot;proven to be very successful in facilitating and recruiting while still in the EU&quot;.<br />
<br />
These women are trained in the use of weapons though are probably not currently taking part in active combat, Europol added.<br />
<br />
&quot;Their roles may change in the future, which may have an effect on the nature and impact&quot; of Islamic State group operations in Europe, the policing agency warned.<br />
<br />
Last year, 687 suspects were arrested, of whom 198 were convicted of jihadist activities.<br />
<br />
Europol warned: &quot;It is a highly challenging task for the security services and law enforcement to prevent every terrorist attack by keeping track of the ever-increasing numbers of people suspected of being, in one way, or another sympathetic to IS ideology.&quot;<br />
<br />
(AFP)

The Islamic State group yesterday released a video purportedly featuring a 17-year-old migrant who went on an axe rampage on a train

Europe is at major risk of "lone wolf" terror attacks, its policing agency said today, with the latest incidents showing "how difficult it is to detect and disrupt suspects". Recent incidents including Monday's attack on a German train and last week's carnage in Nice which left 84 people dead "remain a favoured tactic by the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda," Europol said in a statement. "Both groups have repeatedly called on Muslims living in western countries to perpetrate lone actor attacks in their countries of residence," it said. In the latest incident, the Islamic State group on Tuesday released a video purportedly featuring a 17-year-old migrant who went on an axe rampage on a train at Wuerzburg in southern Germany, injuring five people, two critically. "Although IS has claimed responsibility for the latest attacks, none seem to have been planned, logistically supported or executed directly by IS," Europol said, Despite the attackers' pledges of allegiance to the IS group, "their actual involvement cannot be established," Europol said. The Hague-based policing organisation also released its 2015 "EU Terrorism and Trend Report" saying 151 people died and more than 350 others were injured in terror attacks last year in the 28-member bloc. The 55-page report only looked at 2015 and did not take into account the Nice attack or the attacks on the Brussels airport and metro stations in March in which 32 people died. "In 2015 the EU (European Union) experienced a massive number of casualties caused by terrorist attacks," Europol chief Rob Wainwright said. "The carefully planned attacks demonstrate the elevated threat to the EU from a fanatical minority based in the Middle East, combined with a network of people born and raised in the EU," he said. These people are "often radicalised within a short space of time, (and) proven willing to act as facilitators and active accomplices in terrorism," Wainwright said. A significant number of all foreign terrorist travellers in Syria and Iraq are now female, the report said, and women have also "proven to be very successful in facilitating and recruiting while still in the EU". These women are trained in the use of weapons though are probably not currently taking part in active combat, Europol added. "Their roles may change in the future, which may have an effect on the nature and impact" of Islamic State group operations in Europe, the policing agency warned. Last year, 687 suspects were arrested, of whom 198 were convicted of jihadist activities. Europol warned: "It is a highly challenging task for the security services and law enforcement to prevent every terrorist attack by keeping track of the ever-increasing numbers of people suspected of being, in one way, or another sympathetic to IS ideology." (AFP)

Europol warns it is difficult to predict lone wolf attacks

Bangladeshi troops stormed a cafe popular with foreigners in the diplomatic zone of the capital Dhaka after suspected Islamist militants took dozens hostage.<br />
<br />
The siege ended on Saturday morning with six gunmen killed, 13 hostages freed, one suspected terrorist taken alive and several casualties.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>What happened?</strong><br />
<br />
Gunmen burst into a restaurant in the diplomatic quarter of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka around 9:20pm on Friday night.<br />
<br />
They set off explosives, shouting &quot;Allahu Akbar&quot; (God is Greater).<br />
<br />
During the ensuing exhange of fire with the police, the gunmen took up to 40 hostages, including foreigners and two police officers died.<br />
<br />
Following a 10-hour stand-off, commandos stormed the restaurant early Saturday morning, freeing several hostages.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Where did it happen?</strong><br />
<br />
The Holey Artisan Bakery restaurant is a western-style cafe situated on Road 79 in Dhaka&#39;s affluent Gulshan quarter.<br />
<br />
The diplomatic zone is home to expatriate workers and foreign missions, as well as restaurants, upmarket malls and members&#39; clubs.<br />
<br />
The incident took place near the city&#39;s Nordic Club and the Qatar embassy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Who is behind the attack?</strong><br />
<br />
About four hours after the attack, the Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility, via an IS-affiliated news agency, Amaq.<br />
<br />
It later issued a number of photographs of what it said were scenes from inside the cafe showing what appeared to be several bodies lying in pools of blood.<br />
<br />
The news agency claimed that more than 20 people of different nationalities were killed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Who are the hostages?</strong><br />
<br />
Little is known about the hostages, however, Italy&#39;s ambassador to Bangladesh Mario Palma told Italian state television that seven Italians are among the captives.<br />
<br />
Sri Lanka said two of its nationals were among the hostages, but had been freed.<br />
<br />
Tokyo said one Japanese was among those rescued, Jiji Press reported.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Is this kind of attack common?</strong><br />
<br />
The attack follows a series of murders of foreigners, religious minorities and secular activists in Bangladesh, blamed on or claimed by Islamist militants. For instance, Cesare Tavella, an Italian aid worker was shot dead in Gulshan last September, in an attack claimed by Islamic State.<br />
<br />
And in 2012 a Saudi Arabian diplomat was shot dead in the diplomatic zone.<br />
<br />
However, Friday&#39;s attack appears to have been on a much bigger scale and the first time that people were held hostage.<br />
<br />
The government and police deny that Islamic State is active in Bangladesh and blame homegrown militants for the killings.<br />
<br />
(AFP)

It ended 10 hours after it began with six gunmen killed, 13 hostages freed, one suspected terrorist taken alive and several casualties

Bangladeshi troops stormed a cafe popular with foreigners in the diplomatic zone of the capital Dhaka after suspected Islamist militants took dozens hostage. The siege ended on Saturday morning with six gunmen killed, 13 hostages freed, one suspected terrorist taken alive and several casualties. What happened? Gunmen burst into a restaurant in the diplomatic quarter of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka around 9:20pm on Friday night. They set off explosives, shouting "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greater). During the ensuing exhange of fire with the police, the gunmen took up to 40 hostages, including foreigners and two police officers died. Following a 10-hour stand-off, commandos stormed the restaurant early Saturday morning, freeing several hostages. Where did it happen? The Holey Artisan Bakery restaurant is a western-style cafe situated on Road 79 in Dhaka's affluent Gulshan quarter. The diplomatic zone is home to expatriate workers and foreign missions, as well as restaurants, upmarket malls and members' clubs. The incident took place near the city's Nordic Club and the Qatar embassy. Who is behind the attack? About four hours after the attack, the Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility, via an IS-affiliated news agency, Amaq. It later issued a number of photographs of what it said were scenes from inside the cafe showing what appeared to be several bodies lying in pools of blood. The news agency claimed that more than 20 people of different nationalities were killed. Who are the hostages? Little is known about the hostages, however, Italy's ambassador to Bangladesh Mario Palma told Italian state television that seven Italians are among the captives. Sri Lanka said two of its nationals were among the hostages, but had been freed. Tokyo said one Japanese was among those rescued, Jiji Press reported. Is this kind of attack common? The attack follows a series of murders of foreigners, religious minorities and secular activists in Bangladesh, blamed on or claimed by Islamist militants. For instance, Cesare Tavella, an Italian aid worker was shot dead in Gulshan last September, in an attack claimed by Islamic State. And in 2012 a Saudi Arabian diplomat was shot dead in the diplomatic zone. However, Friday's attack appears to have been on a much bigger scale and the first time that people were held hostage. The government and police deny that Islamic State is active in Bangladesh and blame homegrown militants for the killings. (AFP)

The Dhaka siege: What, where, and who

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended Congressional Reception jointly hosted by Foreign Relations Committees and India Caucus in Washington DC on Wednesday.<br />
<br />
Addressing the gathering, Modi called for India-US collaboration to solve issues like global warming and climate change.<br />
<br />
&quot;Be it global problems like climate change, global warming, poverty or heath concerns, we can together find solutions for the world. We must use our skills, our intelligence, our resources and commit ourselves to move forward. I think my journey this time, my two-day visit to the United States has only reinforced this commitment,&quot; said Modi.<br />
<br />
Earlier in the day, Modi became the fifth Indian to address the joint session of US Congress.<br />
<br />
Modi called for a closer security relationship between his country and the United States as he stressed on the importance of warming ties between the two countries.<br />
<br />
He dedicated much of the speech to the importance of fighting militancy, thanking Congress for US support after a Pakistan-based military group&#39;s rampage in Mumbai killed 166 people in 2008.<br />
<br />
He leavened the speech to lawmakers, the first such address by an international leader since Pope Francis&#39; in September, with jokes about Congress&#39; bitter partisan divide and yoga. But Modi used it to make serious points about India&#39;s neighbour and arch-rival Pakistan and regional concerns about Chinese expansionism.<br />
<br />
In a 45-minute speech interrupted by cheers and at least eight standing ovations, the 65-year-old Indian leader said deeper US-Indian security cooperation should isolate anyone who harbours, supports or sponsors terrorists.<br />
<br />
Modi is on the US leg of an international tour. On Tuesday, he met with President Barack Obama at the White House, where the two leaders said India has agreed to work toward joining the Paris Agreement on climate change this year and discussed security and cyber-security issues.<br />
<br />
The visit, two years after Modi became prime minister, capped an improving relationship between New Delhi and the United States. Before he was elected, Modi was barred from even entering the country because of concerns about his handling of 2002 riots that killed at least 1,000 people, mostly Muslims.<br />
<br />
After the Congressional reception, Modi left for a day-long visit to Mexico. He will arrive in New Delhi this Friday.

Modi said that US and India should deepen their security cooperation and isolate anyone who harbours, supports or sponsors terrorists

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended Congressional Reception jointly hosted by Foreign Relations Committees and India Caucus in Washington DC on Wednesday. Addressing the gathering, Modi called for India-US collaboration to solve issues like global warming and climate change. "Be it global problems like climate change, global warming, poverty or heath concerns, we can together find solutions for the world. We must use our skills, our intelligence, our resources and commit ourselves to move forward. I think my journey this time, my two-day visit to the United States has only reinforced this commitment," said Modi. Earlier in the day, Modi became the fifth Indian to address the joint session of US Congress. Modi called for a closer security relationship between his country and the United States as he stressed on the importance of warming ties between the two countries. He dedicated much of the speech to the importance of fighting militancy, thanking Congress for US support after a Pakistan-based military group's rampage in Mumbai killed 166 people in 2008. He leavened the speech to lawmakers, the first such address by an international leader since Pope Francis' in September, with jokes about Congress' bitter partisan divide and yoga. But Modi used it to make serious points about India's neighbour and arch-rival Pakistan and regional concerns about Chinese expansionism. In a 45-minute speech interrupted by cheers and at least eight standing ovations, the 65-year-old Indian leader said deeper US-Indian security cooperation should isolate anyone who harbours, supports or sponsors terrorists. Modi is on the US leg of an international tour. On Tuesday, he met with President Barack Obama at the White House, where the two leaders said India has agreed to work toward joining the Paris Agreement on climate change this year and discussed security and cyber-security issues. The visit, two years after Modi became prime minister, capped an improving relationship between New Delhi and the United States. Before he was elected, Modi was barred from even entering the country because of concerns about his handling of 2002 riots that killed at least 1,000 people, mostly Muslims. After the Congressional reception, Modi left for a day-long visit to Mexico. He will arrive in New Delhi this Friday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends Congressional Reception in Washington DC

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