News Story: China sends relief materials for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh

DHAKA, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- A second Chinese cargo plane carrying relief supplies for Rohingya refugees arrived in Bangladesh's southeastern Chittagong region on Thursday, after the first one arrived on Wednesday.

The relief materials included about 2,000 tents and 3,000 blankets.

An official from the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh handed over the relief materials to the Bangladeshi side Thursday.

Read the full story at Xinhua

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PacificSentinel: That's right China/Xinhua, just ignore the complete overreaction by Myanmar's army in the situation.

News Story: (Phil) Army captures NPA camp near Batangas City

New People’s Army (NPA)

By Jaime Laude

MANILA, Philippines — Government troops captured a suspected training camp of communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels near Batangas city following last Sunday’s fighting that left one insurgent dead and scores wounded.

Maj. Gen. Rhoderick Parayno, commander of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Brigade, said troops are pursuing the NPA rebels that occupied the camp.

Parayno said the security situation in Barangay Talumpok and the villages nearby where the camp is located has normalized since Tuesday.

At the height of the fighting that resulted in the evacuation of residents and the disruption of classes, the military deployed a helicopter to provide close air support to the troops.

Parayno said all the rockets fired by the helicopter hit their targets, contrary to claims that some of them hit residential houses.

“There’s no truth to that. It’s all propaganda by the left,” he said.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Report: UNHCR - Risk of Terrorism 'Very, Very High' if Rohingya Crisis Persists

Lisa Schlein

GENEVA — The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, warned Wednesday of a high risk of terrorism in Myanmar and the region if the Rohingya crisis remains unresolved.

Grandi recently visited Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, which is home to some 800,000 Rohingya refugees. Among those, 450,000 refugees recently fled violence and persecution in Myanmar, while more than 300,000 others arrived in neighboring Bangladesh before the current crisis.

Most of the refugees are women and children, and many are deeply traumatized. Grandi says he spoke to women who had been raped and children who had seen their families and friends killed.

"The combination of limited health facilities, poor sanitary and hygienic conditions, and overcrowded sites, you can well imagine, is a recipe for disaster in terms of possible epidemics," Grandi said, stressing how little the refugees had and how vulnerable they were to multiple risks.

News Story: Myanmar's ruling party pledges to work for peace

YANGON, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's ruling party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), pledged on Wednesday to work for peace and bring about the reconciliation to the people.

In its announcement on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of its establishment, the NLD said it has to fight against terrorism and the brutality resulting from terrorism, refuting groundless accusations and media trap systematically.

The announcement made it clear that the NLD undertaking the responsibility of the government will never deviate from the path of democracy.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Indian Army kills several militants in major operation along Myanmar border

NEW DELHI, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Indian Army Wednesday claimed to have killed several militants in a major operation along the border with Myanmar.

In a statement, the Indian Army's Eastern Command said that the operation was carried out by a dozen soldiers early this morning but also made it clear that the troops did not cross the international border.

The operation was carried out against militants belonging to NSCN-Khaplang, a terror outfit which is fighting for a separate state of Nagaland in northeastern India.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Report: Beijing Boosts Security Presence to New Highs Among Restless Uighur Minority

China has greatly expanded their police and security presence in Urumqi, the capital city of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, in which Uighur independence movements have been flourishing, including those that the Chinese government believes have links to Islamist terrorist groups in the Middle East.

NPR reports that in Urumqi, razor wire fences and cameras are an inescapable sight. The provincial government requires all restaurants to play two propaganda songs every hour of the day: a cheery song about obeying traffic laws and a slower piece about core communist values. Residents must download a government app that deletes unapproved applications and videos about forbidden topics like terrorism. 

Earlier in 2017, Chen Quanguo, the Communist Party’s secretary of Xinjiang, made a speech before 10,000 officers dressed in riot gear where he told them that "the sword is drawn, and we're about to hear the thunder."

News Report: Myanmar Braces for Turmoil as Rohingyas Prepare Major Ambush on State Forces

The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army has disclosed plans to launch a fresh ambush on Myanmar military similar to the one on August 25 this year.

New Delhi (Sputnik) – The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) has claimed that they have no terror links and that their only objective is to secure equal rights for the Rohingya community in Myanmar. However, the group has threatened to continue attacking the state forces unless the government of Myanmar agrees to fulfill their demands.

“What Myanmar government is saying is that more than fifty percent of the villages of Rohingyas are intact, is a total lie. Myanmar government is trying to spread lies around the world and branding us as terrorists,” Abdus Shukur, a second-rung leader of ARSA, currently in exile in Bangladesh, told Sputnik.

Meanwhile, the government of Myanmar has reiterated its resolve to flush out the “terrorist outfit.”

A diplomat from Myanmar embassy in Delhi, who did not wish to be named, told Sputnik that "ARSA is basically a terrorist outfit" that should be dealt with accordingly.

"Our security forces are on alert. Our security force is ready to thwart any nefarious designs,” a diplomat added.

News Story: Indian army says militant killed on Kashmir LoC

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Indian army Tuesday claimed it has foiled an infiltration bid along Line of Control (LoC), dividing Kashmir by killing a militant.

The infiltration bid as per Indian army officials was foiled in Uri sector of frontier Baramulla district, about 90 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

According to Indian army spokesman Col. Rajesh Kalia, the militant was trying to infiltrate deep inside Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"An infiltration bid was foiled today in general area Zorawar sector of Uri during which a militant was killed," Kalia said. "A weapon has been recovered and operation is ongoing in the area."

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Troops clash with NPAs in Batangas

New People’s Army (NPA)

By Ed Amoroso

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Hundreds of residents left their houses on Sunday to avoid being caught in the crossfire after government troops clashed with communist guerrillas in Barangay Talumpok Silangan in Batangas City.

The encounter lasted for about 40 minutes, resulting in the killing of one suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) while several rebels were wounded, police officials said.

Senior Supt. Randy Peralta, Batangas police director, said government forces reportedly overran yesterday morning a rebel camp on Mt. Banoy in Batangas City.

The evacuees included 365 residents of Sitio Tibig in Barangay Talahib Pandayan near Mt. Banoy and more than 500 residents from Barangay Masagitsit and Banalo of Lobo town. Around 70 others fled to villages in Batangas City.

“The evacuees still remained at the evacuation centers despite the firefight having ended yesterday morning after government troops invaded the encampment of the rebels while clearing operations are ongoing,” Peralta told The STAR.

Classes in 12 public schools in Batangas City were suspended yesterday due to clashes between troopers and NPA rebels.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Report: Why Myanmar’s Government Won’t Negotiate With Rohingya Insurgents

Joe Freeman

YANGON — When the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army offered a month-long cease-fire on September 10 with the stated purpose of facilitating aid through the conflict zone in Rakhine State, Myanmar’s response was swift.

“We have no policy to negotiate with terrorists,” Zaw Htay, spokesman for de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, said on Twitter the same day.

Myanmar branded the group, known in shorthand as ARSA, a terrorist organization after it carried out deadly attacks on police and army posts on August 25, prompting a military crackdown that has caused more than 400,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to Bangladesh and resulted in widespread claims of atrocities and ethnic cleansing.

But as observers — and even ARSA members — have pointed out, Myanmar continues to negotiate with several ethnic armed groups fighting for more autonomy in its border regions. Some of them have also been called terrorist outfits, though not by the central government.

So why the apparent double standard?

News Story: 28 remains of Hindu villagers uncovered in Myanmar northern state

YANGON, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Some 28 dead bodies of Hindu villagers have been found buried in Maungtaw, Myanmar's northern Rakhine state, as authorities dug up earth to confirm the information by a villager in Sittway, Myanmar News Agency reported Monday.

According to the information, the victims were left by attacks on the village on Aug. 25 by about 300 members of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) extremist terrorists.

Investigation is underway and more search will be continued, the report added.

Meanwhile, seven more improvised explosive devices, suspected of being planted by the ARSA, were also uncovered by Myanmar security forces in Chein Khar Li village, Yathedaung township Saturday as the security forces were patrolling the area.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: 3 militants killed in Indian-controlled Kashmir gunfight

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Three militants were killed in a fierce gunfight with Indian army near Line of Control (LoC), dividing Kashmir, officials said Monday.

The gunfight according to Indian army officials broke out in forest area at Kalghe village of frontier Uri town, about 117 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Three militants were killed in a fierce gunfight with army at Kalghe of Uri," a police spokesman said. "The gunfight that started early on Sunday morning ended during the night."

The operation in the area was launched following specific information about presence of militants in the area, police said.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Left rejects anew government demand to lay down arms

New People’s Army (NPA)

By Artemio Dumlao

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has again rejected President Duterte’s demand for the New People’s Army (NPA) to surrender for the peace negotiations to continue.

The CPP said Duterte’s demand reveals his “fascist narrow-mindedness.”

“By doing so, (Duterte) treats Red fighters with extreme contempt, choosing to ignore the social realities of oppression and exploitation and the aspiration for national and social liberation which continue to drive thousands, especially peasant masses, to join and support the NPA,” the CPP said.

The CPP, which claims to still have absolute control of the NPA around the country instead warned they will continue to carry out tactical offensives in order to hold the Duterte administration accountable “for all its crimes and rights abuses.”

On Wednesday, the CPP threw out Duterte’s declaration of openness in the resuming peace negotiations after NPA rebels freed a captive policemen, saying it was “pure talk.”

They said the peace negotiations can resume if Duterte drops his earlier precondition of a bilateral ceasefire.

The CPP insisted addressing the roots of the armed conflict in accordance with previously agreed principles and procedures under The Hague Declaration.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Story: More explosive devices uncovered in Myanmar northern state

YANGON, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Seven more improvised explosive devices have been uncovered by Myanmar security forces in a village in Yathedaung township of Rakhine state, but were deactivated with no injury, Myanmar News Agency reported Sunday.

The explosive devices, found in Chein Khar Li village Saturday as the security forces were patrolling the area, were suspected of being planted by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) extremist terrorists.

The security forces also found six houses in two villages in Maungtaw and eight other Hindu houses in Kyein Chaung destroyed by fire, and the fire is suspected of starting from a Muslim house and then spread to nearby Hindu houses, the report said.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: 7 people wounded in grenade blast in Indian-controlled Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people including two policemen and a paramilitary trooper were wounded in a grenade blast Sunday in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

The grenade blast took place in Sopore town of Baramulla district, about 48 km northwest of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Reports said militants hurled a grenade inside a bullet proof vehicle of police, however a policemen inside the vehicle threw it out immediately, resulting in its blast on road.

"Alert special police officer (SPO) throws away grenade to safer place which was hurled inside security force vehicle thus saving lives of dozen police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel," a police spokesman said. "Two policemen and CRPF man suffered minor wounds."

Meanwhile, civilians wounded in the attack were immediately taken to government medical facility in the town.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Myanmar gov't to seek UN assistance in resettlement of displaced ethnic people

YANGON, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's government will ask the United Nations Human Settlement Programme to help in resettlement of displaced ethnic people, State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi told a meeting with the Implementation Committee of recommendations on Rakhine state on Friday.

The state counselor also urged the Implementation Committee to speed up the search of 93 Hindu people from Tamanthar village who were attacked by Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army extremist terrorists.

She called for repatriation through diplomatic channel with Bangladesh of six Hindu women and three children who were said to be living in displaced persons' camps at the border area.

Read the full story at Xinhua

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Story Quote: "She called for repatriation through diplomatic channel with Bangladesh of six Hindu women and three children who were said to be living in displaced persons' camps at the border area."

PacificSentinel: Note that they only want the Hindus back, no mention of the Rohingya refugees.

News Story: 2 militants arrested for attack on paramilitary in Indian-controlled Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Indian police said Friday it had arrested two militants responsible for carrying out attack on paramilitary troopers in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir.

The attack, according to police on Wednesday evening, killed a paramilitary trooper belonging to India's Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and wounded another in Banihal area of Ramban district, about 107 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Two militants namely Gazanfer and Arif involved in attack at Banihal have been arrested and hunt for third one is on," a police spokesman said. "The two snatched weapons have also been recovered."

Initially police suspected the incident was a case of fratricide.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Report: 'Political Pressure' and Humanitarian Aid - Iran Sets Sight on Rohingya Crisis

Iran has sent its first aid shipment for Rohingya refugees and wants to increase its humanitarian assistance in the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. At the same time, the Iranian government is also considering a political strategy to stop what UN Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein denounced as a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing."

A 50-ton aid supply shipment has already reached Bangladesh for Rohingya Muslims in the border area, Seyyed Hadi Afghahi, an Iranian diplomat familiar with the situation, told Sputnik Persian. 

Tehran is also in talks with the Myanmar authorities on an additional humanitarian delivery for Rohingya people in Myanmar proper and on the transportation of wounded Rohingya for treatment to Iranian hospitals. 

Commenting on Tehran’s humanitarian efforts, Afghahi noted that Iran was one of the first member-states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to come to help amid the ongoing crisis in Myanmar affecting the Rohingya Muslim minority. 

News Story: 3 killed, 30 injured in grenade attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- At least three civilians were killed and 30 others including seven paramilitary troopers wounded Thursday in a grenade attack in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.

The grenade attack was carried out in Tral town of Pulwama district, about 41 km south of Srinagar city.

"Suspected militants threw a grenade and then resorted to indiscriminate firing in Tral town near bus terminal," a police official said. "The grenade missed the intended target and exploded on road killing and wounding civilians."

Health officials said three civilians were killed and 30 others brought to hospital in wounded condition.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: India's left-wing Naxalite rebels abduct 10 villagers in Chhattisgarh state

NEW DELHI, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- India's left-wing Naxalite rebels had abducted at least 10 villagers in the eastern state of Chhattisgarh, police said Thursday.

The abduction took place at Chintagufa village in the state's Sukma district recently, but the incident came to light late on Wednesday night.

"A group of armed Naxalites stormed into Chintagufa village and kidnapped the 10 villagers, including a woman," Sukma's additional police chief Jitendra Shukla told the media.

Read the full story at Xinhua