Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management Nepal, which had seen 4,896 fatalities, including 3,992 Maoists, 666 Security Force (SF) personnel and 238 civilians, in a single year at the peak of insurgency in 2002, sustained the environment of peace that had been established in 2013, through 2014 and 2015, with not a single insurgency-related fatality on record. However, though the insurgency has subsided, Nepal continued to witness significant political violence through 2015.
Punjab: Increasing Vulnerabilities
Editor, SAIR; Executive Director, ICM & SATP Two major terrorist attacks - the assault on the Indian Air Force (IAF) Base at Pathankot through January 2, 2016, and January 3, 2016; and the strike at the Dinanagar Police Station in adjacent Gurdaspur on July 27, 2015 - have not only exposed tremendous vulnerabilities in Punjab, but gaping holes in national Counter Terrorism (CT) response protocols, capacities and capabilities. The Pathankot incident is particularly worrisome, providing an index of the extraordinary weakness in the protection of the country's critical strategic assets. The IAF Base constitutes the frontline air defence for any confrontation with Pakistan, and yet the terrorists succeeded in penetrating into the campus and inflicting significant casualties. This was despite nearly 20 hours of clear warning, a definitive identification of the intended target, and a systemic response that had been initiated fairly early on January 1, 2016, after central intelligence agencies picked up conversations by the terrorists with their handlers and their families, and the Punjab Police received specific information about their movements and intention from the 'abducted' Superintendent of Police whose car was used by the terrorists. If the terrorists had the additional advantage of surprise, the damage they could have inflicted can now only be imagined. Evidently, the Pathankot IAF Base would not be unique in its vulnerabilities among various defence and security establishments across the country.
Interpol sends notice for identifying Pathankot attackers
Pathankot, Jan 11 (IBNS): In a significant development, the Interpol has issued a notice for the identification of the terrorists involved in the Pathankot terror attack, media reports said on Monday.
Kolkata: Auto rickshaw accident kills 1 in New Town
Kolkata, Jan 11 (IBNS): A 60-year-old man was killed on Monday in Kolkata's New Town area, when an uncontrolled auto rickshaw hit him, reports said.
Kolkata, Jan 11 (IBNS): Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali arrived in Kolkata on Monday.
Malda: BJP poses five questions to Mamata Banerjee
Kolkata, Jan 11 (IBNS) The BJP has posted five questions to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after the BJP's fact finding team consisting of MPs SS Ahluwalia, Bhupendra Yadav and BD Ram were forced to turn back from Kaliachak to Kolkata on Monday when they went to visit the violence-hit areas of Malda district.
Pakistan completes initial investigation on Pathankot attack
Islamabad, Jan 11 (IBNS): Days after militants attacked Pathankot air base in Indian state of Punjab , Pakistani authorities have completed their initial investigation over information provided by the India in connection with the incident that killed seven Indian security personnel, media reports said.
CBI arrest Union Bank of India Manager in graft charges
New Delhi, Jan 11 (IBNS) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday said it has arrested a Manager of the Union Bank of India, Regional Office, Bhubaneswar (Odisha) for allegedly demanding and accepting an alleged bribe of Rs.40,000.
Supreme Court suggests Parliament to consider harsher punishment for child abuse convicts
New Delhi, Jan 11 (IBNS) While hearing a plea filed by the Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association (SCWLA), who is seeking castration as punishment for child abuse convicts, the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday suggested parliamentarians to consider awarding harsher punishment to those convicted of raping children.
PM Narendra Modi remembers Lal Bahadur Shastri on his 50th death anniversary
New Delhi, Jan 11 (IBNS): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday remembered country's former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri on his 50 th death anniversary.
New Delhi, Jan 11 (IBNS) ‘Road Safety Week’ was launched by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at a function in New Delhi on Monday morning.
Dress code in Tamil Nadu temples stayed till Jan 18
Chennai, Jan 11 (IBNS) The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday stayed for an interim period the order imposing dress code for devotees entering temple in Tamil Nadu.
Indira Gandhi's rule worse than Britishers' : Bihar Govt. website
Patna, Jan 11 (IBNS) Raising a political furore, the Bihar government's official website has called former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's tenure as worse than British rule in India.
Those, who harmed us will also feel the pain : Manohar Parrikar
New Delhi, Jan 11 (IBNS) Sounding a grim warning to the perpetrators of the Pathankot terror attack, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday said those "who have harmed us will also feel the pain."
Odd-Even scheme: Delhi HC not to intervene, rule to continue till Jan 15
New Delhi, Jan 11 (IBNS) The Delhi High Court said on Monday that it will refrain from interfering in the Delhi Government imposed Odd-Even Scheme.