4 Iraqi soldiers killed fighting with IS in Tikrit

BAGHDAD - Four Iraqi soldiers were killed in street fighting with Islamic State militants in Tikrit overnight as they advanced slowly into the city, a Sunni jihadist bastion, in the wake of coalition air strikes, a security official said.

The troops entered Tikrit’s southern Shishin and northern al-Qadisiya neighbourhoods on Friday, after the U.
S.
-led international alliance carried out air strikes against Islamic State, the officer from the Salahuddin province operation command told Reuters on Saturday.
The campaign was slowed on Friday evening by clashes with Islamic State that killed of four and wounded 11 other soldiers, the security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Most of the Iranian-backed Shi’ite paramilitaries, which Iraqis call the Popular Mobilization Committees, or Hashid Shaabi in Arabic, are openly hostile to the United Statesand have opposed coalition air strikes.

The groups continue to hold their positions around the city’s borders but, with the exception of the Badr Organization, are boycotting the current Iraqi military foray in protest against the coalition’s involvement.

The force of more than 20,000 fighters and military personnel, the majority of them from Iranian-backed Shi’ite militias, launched the offensive on March 2, but it stalled two weeks ago, with officials citing high casualties among the fighters and concerns about civilians trapped in the city.
Iraqi military commanders called for coalition air strikes to break the deadlock, but Shi’ite militia leaders said they did not need help, least of all from the United States, which some view as their enemy and even accuse of aiding Islamic State.

Iraqi officials, speaking in private, described the U.
S.
government as unhappy with a Shi’ite militia-led assault on one of the largest Sunni Muslim cities in Iraq.
Sunnis have accused the Shi’ite militia fighters of displacing civilians and carrying out extra-judicial killings in areas they have liberated from Islamic State, including in eastern Diyala province and the farmlands surrounding Baghdad.
The decision by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to request U.
S.
-led air strikes on Tikrit came even though many Iraqi politicians believed he could not risk going against the wishes of the paramilitary fighters on the ground.
U.
S.
military officials, mindful of the controversy around their joining a fight in which Iran has provided critical military support, have describe the ground offensive as involving Shi’ite fighters not aligned with Iran.

Egypt calls for unified Arab force

SHARM EL SHEIKH/ADEN/CAIRO - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi told an Arab League summit on Saturday that Cairo backed calls for a unified Arab force to confront regional security threats.
Sisi also said Egypt’s participation in a military campaign against Shi’ite Houthi militias in Yemen, which has beenled by Saudi Arabia, aimed to ‘preserve Yemen’s unity and the peace of its territories.’ Saudi-led air forces struck a convoy of Yemeni Houthi fighters advancing on Aden from the east on Saturday, residents said, and the Saudi navy evacuated diplomats from the southern port city.
The Iranian-allied Shi’ite Muslim Houthi fighters, seeking to overthrow the Western- and Saudi-allied President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, have continued to make gains since the Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes against them early on Thursday. Yemen’s President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi arrived in Egypt on Friday for the 26th Arab League summit which will focus on the Saudi-led military campaign against his Houthi militia opponents.
Hadi left his refuge in Aden for Saudi Arabia on Thursday, as Houthi fighters battled with his forces on the outskirts of the southern port city. Yemen’s Houthi rebels made broad gains in the country’s south and east on Friday despite a second day of Saudi-led air strikes meant to check the Iranian-backed militia’s efforts to overthrow Hadi.
Muslim Houthi fighters and allied army units gained their first foothold on Yemen’s Arabian Sea coast by seizing the port of Shaqra 100km (60 miles) east of Aden, residents told Reuters. The advances threaten Hadi’s last refuge in Yemen and potentially undermine the air campaign to support him.
The losses came as the spokesman for the Saudi-led operation, Brigadier General Ahmed Asseri, told a press conference in Riyadh that defending the Aden government was the campaign’s ‘main objective.’ Warplanes targeted Houthi forces controlling Yemen’s capital Sanaa and their northern heartland on Friday. Asseri said that planes from the United Arab Emirates had carried out their first strikes in the past 24 hours. In a boost for Saudi Arabia, Morocco said it would join the rapidly assembled Sunni Muslim coalition against the Houthis. Pakistan, named by Saudi Arabia as a partner, said it had made no decision on whether to contribute.
‘Each of these countries would bring a different capability,’ said Aaron Reese, the deputy research director at the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War. ‘The Jordanians are well known for their special forces capability - the Egyptians of course have the most manpower and bases close to Libya.’
Before Egyptian air strikes in February targeting the Islamic State group (IS) in Libya, the United Arab Emirates, which shares Cairo’s antipathy towards Islamists, had reportedly used Egyptian bases to launch its own air strikes there. Egypt had sought UN backing for intervention in Libya, dismissing attempted peace talks between the rival governments in its violence-plagued North African neighbour as ineffective.
The Sharm el-Sheikh summit is being held under tight security, with extra police and army on the streets of what is normally a tourist resort and with military aircraft patrolling its skies. The Israeli-Palestinian peace process, as in every Arab summit, also figures on the agenda, with the IS penetration in Iraq, Syria and Libya another high priority.
    Moreover, Saudi Arabia’s navy evacuated dozens of diplomats from Yemen and the United Nations pulled out international staff on Saturday after a third night of Saudi-led air strikes trying to stem advances by Iranian-allied Houthi fighters.
Residents reported heavy clashes between the Houthis and mainly Sunni tribal fighters in the south of the country, while the Saudi-led air campaign sought to stall a fresh offensive by the Shi’ite Muslim group on Aden from the east.
Riyadh’s intervention, a surprise move from a conservative monarchy better known for flexing its muscle in oil markets than through military might, is planned to last a month but could extend for five or six, a Gulf diplomatic source said.
Dozens of diplomats were shipped out of Aden to the Red Sea port of Jeddah, Saudi television said, escaping the city where President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi had taken refuge until Thursday, when he left for Egypt to shore up Arab support for his crumbling authority.
The director general of Yemen’s Health Ministry, al-Khadher Laswar, said more than 62 people had been killed and 452 wounded in the city since Wednesday. Explosions at the city’s largest ammunition depot on Saturday left at least nine badly wounded, he said. Moreover, an Arab alliance attacking Shi’ite Muslim Houthi forces in Yemen initially plans a month-long campaign, but the operation could last five or six months, a Gulf diplomatic official said on Saturday.
The official, from a country that belongs to the alliance, said Shi’ite Iran, the Houthis’ main foreign ally, was likely to retaliate indirectly, by encouraging pro-Iranian Shi’iteactivists to carry out armed attacks in Bahrain, Lebanon and eastern Saudi Arabia. Iran, in a tug-of-war with Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia for influence across the Middle East, has denied supporting the Houthis militarily, and has criticised the Gulf Arabs for their military action.
Since the Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes against them early on Thursday, the Houthis, seeking to overthrow the Western- and Saudi-allied President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, have continued to make gains. But the official, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter, said the attacks would go on until Yemen was able to resume a U.N.-backed political transition interrupted by the Houthis’ seizure of Sanaa in September.
He said Gulf Arab concern over the Houthis’ influence in Yemen had been heightened in January by satellite imagery showing Houthi forces repositioning long-range Scudmissiles in northern districts near the Saudi border. The Scuds, with a range of between 250 km (150 miles) and 650 km (400 miles), were aimed northwards at Saudi territory.
He said Yemen’s military had about 300 Scuds, the bulk of which were believed to be in the hands of the Houthis and allied military units loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, and that the campaign so far had destroyed 21 of them.
Yemen, by far the poorest country on the Arabian peninsula, has struggled to regain stability since mass protests in 2011 that eventually unseated Saleh after 33 years in power. Hadi led a national dialogue that was discussing a new constitution when the Houthis took the capital and pushed him aside. The Gulf diplomatic official said the coalition would not accept that the Houthi ‘coup’ had succeeded, and wanted Yemenis to push for a resumption of the U.N.-backed process.
He said it could take five or six months for the campaign’s aims to be realised, but there was room for everyone, including Houthis, in that process of forging a new constitution. The official said Houthi forces were being trained and supported on the ground by about 5,000 experts from Iran and its regional allies, the Hezbollah group in Lebanon and Iraqi Shi’ite militias.
In the meanwhile, Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi called the Shi’ite Houthi militia ‘Iran’s puppet’ at an Arab League summit inEgypt on Saturday. ‘I tell Iran’s puppet, ‘You are the one that destroyed Yemen with your political immaturity’,’ Hadi said in Sharm el-Sheikh. Tehran denies providing money and training to the Shi’ite Houthi fighters, as alleged by some Western and Yemeni officials.

Lankan president’s brother axed to death

COLOMBO - The youngest brother of Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena died in hospital Saturday after being attacked by an axe wielding acquaintance two days earlier, police said.
Priyantha Sirisena, 42, suffered severe head injuries in his hometown of Polonnaruwa, 215 kilometres (134 miles) north-east of the capital Colombo, police said.
The local businessman’s death came as the President was in China on a state visit.

The President’s office said he had completed his visit and was due to return on Sunday as previously arranged and would be back in the country in time for Monday’s funeral.
‘A personal dispute between the president’s brother and a person known to him ended in tragedy,’ an official at the president’s office told AFP.
‘We have no reason to suspect anything other than that.
’
Sirisena ended a three-day official visit to China on Friday and stayed on to address the Boao Forum on Saturday, officials said.
Police said they arrested a man in connection with the attack and an investigation was underway.
No further details were given.
The government in a statement said Priyantha, a father of three, was ‘attacked during an altercation with a friend’ on Thursday evening.
  Official sources said Priyantha Sirisena was the youngest in a family of 12 children.
He was flown to the capital for emergency treatment, but his head injuries were so severe that, despite a four-hour surgery, he did not recover, doctors said.
Sirisena came to power following bitterly fought January presidential elections.
Unlike most former Sri Lankan leaders, President Sirisena has not extended personal security for his siblings and extended family and is known to have drastically scaled down his own protection unit.

FC kills four BRA militants; council chairman abducted

QUETTA: The Frontier Corps (FC) has reportedly killed at least four suspected militants belonging to banned Baloch Republican Army (BRA) during a search operation in Kalat district of Balochistan, spokesperson for FC Balochistan said on Saturday.
According to an FC spokesperson, security forces acting on a tip-off launched a massive search operation in Mangocher area of Kalat. “The FC used helicopter and ground forces during the operation,” the spokesperson said. There was an exchange of fire between militants and security forces, which lasted for hours.
The FC seized 500kg explosives, 150 rockets and 1,500 detonators, while automatic weapons were also recovered, he said.
Meanwhile, a group of armed men kidnapped the chairman of Kharan District Council near Patken area of Kharan district on Saturday.
According to a senior official of Balochistan Levies, newly elected Kharan District Council Chairman Sagheer Badini was going to a friend’s house for offering fateha when a group of armed men intercepted his vehicle in Patken area and kidnapped him.

Army will go behind terrorists everywhere in country: COAS

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif has said that the armed forces were are taking the menace of terrorism head-on and will go anywhere in the country to eliminate it in totality.
Addressing the third convocation of Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Lahore Medical College on Saturday, he said, “We have to collectively put in efforts to give our next generation a terror-free country, to provide them a conducive environment, to help them apply their knowledge and creativity to achieve optimum effects for national growth.”
General Raheel said the Pakistan Army, besides performing its role as custodian of national frontiers, had always been a forerunner in terms of its contribution in national development.
He said that the entrenched role of Army Medical Corps in the forefronts of serious disasters, calamities and military operations against evil of terrorism and extremism had been highly impressive, according to a press release. The COAS said that physical, mental and social health was a prelude to a strong nation and provision of professional health services to the common man must be everyone’s priority. He said that extensive and continuous research was a national need without which no institution could achieve excellence.

Azhar Ali to be named Misbah's successor as ODI captain

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to name Azhar Ali, one of Pakistan’s most consistent batsman at the Test level as the new One-Day International (ODI) captain of Pakistan while World Cup hero Sarfaraz Ahmed will be his deputy.
“Azhar Ali will be the new one-day captain while Sarfaraz will be his understudy,” a senior PCB official told The Express Tribune.
“The board feels Azhar Ali is the right man to take the team forward while in the meantime Sarfaraz will be groomed as well,” the official added.
Azhar will be vice-captain in Test matches to Misbah while Sarfaraz will be deputy of Shahid Afridi in the T20 format.
Azhar has played 14 ODIs for Pakistan and last played in the format two years ago.
The batsman has scored 452 runs in 14 outings at an average of 41.09 in the 50-over format and was tipped to be the new captain by outgoing skipper Misbahul Haq and coach Waqar Younis.
The second contender for the post, wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed has been named the vice-captain for ODIs and T20s.
Sarfaraz has established himself as an important member of the Pakistan team after consistent performances throughout 2014 while he starred in the World Cup – notching up Pakistan’s first century in the mega event after 2007 edition.
Earlier, The Express Tribune had learnt the PCB was considering Sarfraz Ahmed and Azhar Ali for the post.
“Azhar and Sarfraz are front-runners for the ODI captaincy as the PCB’s top management feels that they are both capable of leading Pakistan,” a senior PCB official told The Express Tribune. “Azhar is perhaps the strongest contender because he has got a good track record and a lot of experience in international cricket.”

Moin Khan sacked from chief selector post

Further, chief selector Moin Khan was removed from his post despite insisting he has done the right things in his tenure in a one-on-one meeting with PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan.
“The chairman has told Moin that he is being removed as Chief Selector. Haroon Rasheed will be the new chief selector but he will have to give up his Game Development post,” the official added.
Further, the official said, “Haroon is the one man who has got the players on his finger tips and we need someone like him.”
The PCB chairman was determined to removed Moin from his post despite opposition from senior board officials in this regard who backed Moin.
The 1992 World Cup winner was asked to return to Pakistan midway in the tournament as a controversy regarding his visit to a casino in Brisbane embroiled.
“Meanwhile, the members will include Saleem Jaffar, Kabir Khan and Azhar Khan while the official announcement will be made later,” he added.
An official statement in this regard will be made on Tuesday.
Previously the committee headed by Moin Khan, included Muhammad Akram, Shoaib Muhammad, Wajahatullah Wasti, Saleem Yousuf and Ejaz Ahmed as members.
Further, the PCB met with former cricketers Salahuddin ahmed, Saleem Jaffar and Wasim Bari to devise a strategy to improve domestic cricket and produce quality players.
However, this decision does not mean Moin’s time in the cricket board is completely over. He could be given another important portfolio in the board to compensate for an ill-timed axe.
“Moin is likely to be given a strong post in the PCB because his services are still required by the board,” the official stated.
Shaharyar to question Waqar as well once he returns
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan is all set to question Waqar Younis on the handling of the team in the World Cup once he returns from Australia on April 5.
It has been learnt that the PCB Chief is unhappy with some of the decisions and comments made by the team management and Waqar was key part of the planning.
There had been severe criticism by media for constant snub of Sarfaraz Ahmed and misuse of Younis Khan and Yasir Shah in the World Cup.
In addition, Waqar also tried to put blame on the selection committee when he remarked in a press conference that he did not know if Sarfaraz was an opener.
It should be mentioned here that the selection committee had selected Sarfaraz as third opener and he performed really well once he got the chance bagging two man of the matches award out of three he played.
“Shaharyar Khan will question Waqar regarding his handling of the team and controversial comments,” a PCB official seeking anonymity told The Express Tribune.
“He had stayed in Australia and will be returning on April 5 and then the Chairman will meet him to have a detailed discussion as to what happened in the World Cup.”

Countrywide sweeps: 727 ‘hardcore terrorists’ arrested since December 24

ISLAMABAD: Around 32,347 suspects, including 727 hardcore terrorists, have been rounded up in nationwide raids since December 24 last year under the National Action Plan against terrorism.
Authorities have stepped up counterterrorism operations since Taliban gunmen massacred 150 people, mostly schoolchildren, in a brazen attack on Peshawar’s Army Public School on December 16, 2014.
A law enforcement report submitted on Saturday to the prime minister based on information till March 25 states that the security agencies have conducted 28,826 operations throughout the country under the NAP aimed at ridding the country of extremism and terrorism.
Of these, 14,791 raids were carried out in Punjab; 5,517 in Sindh; 6,461 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P); 84 in Balochistan; 405 in Islamabad; 1,394 in Azad Kashmir; 83 in Gilgit-Baltiststan (G-B); and 91 operations were in conducted in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).
During the crackdowns, the security agencies arrested 2,798 suspected criminals from Punjab; 6,467 in Sindh; 18,619 in K-P; 3,483 in Balochistan; 762 in Islamabad; nine in Azad Kashmir; 30 from G-B and 179 in Fata. Another 37 criminals were killed.
Of the executions carried out since the lifting of the moratorium on death penalty, 61 convicts have been hanged with 47 in Punjab, 11 in Sindh, one in K-P and two in Azad Kashmir.
For loudspeaker violations, the police have arrested 3,938 people with 3,214 in Punjab, 176 in Sindh, 451 in K-P, 94 in Islamabad and three in Balochistan. Another 887 cases have been registered for hate speech with 918 people arrested and around 70 shops sealed for selling hate literature.
Similarly, 18,855 Afghan refugees have been deported with 11,216 sent back from Azad Kashmir, 5,996 from K-P, 798 from Balochistan, one from Islamabad, two from G-B and 842 from Fata. Another 354,672 have been registered
The State Bank has, meanwhile, frozen 120 accounts with a balance in sum of Rs10.1 billion. In the same period, the FIA registered 64 cases for money transfer through illegal means and arrested 83 people while recovering Rs101.7 million. Another nine cases were registered for suspicious transactions and 57 cases for money laundering with 50 people detained. Similarly, in cooperation with NADRA, the cellular service providers have verified 59.47 million SIMs.