Libya: ISIS Kills 2 in Attack on Police Station

Smoke rises from a ruined house after it was hit by an air strike as fighters from Libyan forces allied with the UN-backed government advance into the last area controlled by ISIS, in Sirte, Libya, October 14, 2016. (Reuters)
Smoke rises from a ruined house after it was hit by an air strike as fighters from Libyan forces allied with the UN-backed government advance into the last area controlled by ISIS, in Sirte, Libya, October 14, 2016. (Reuters)
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Libya: ISIS Kills 2 in Attack on Police Station

Smoke rises from a ruined house after it was hit by an air strike as fighters from Libyan forces allied with the UN-backed government advance into the last area controlled by ISIS, in Sirte, Libya, October 14, 2016. (Reuters)
Smoke rises from a ruined house after it was hit by an air strike as fighters from Libyan forces allied with the UN-backed government advance into the last area controlled by ISIS, in Sirte, Libya, October 14, 2016. (Reuters)

ISIS terrorists have killed two policemen and injured several others at a checkpoint east of the Libyan city of Ajdabiya.

The attack also led to the destruction of a military armored vehicle and an ambulance, and the seizure of some equipment.

The heavy clashes with the army also resulted in the death of 12 members of the terrorist organization.

The attack took place early on Tuesday in the eastern town of Aqilah when armed men attacked the policemen manning the checkpoint, and the group later attacked a police station and burned several police and ambulance vehicles, according to sources.

The attack is not the first of its kind in the city.

On May 22, ISIS used a car bomb on the 60th gate, south of the city, which coincided with another attack on the eastern gate of Ujlah, killing two soldiers of Battalion 152.

Ajdabiya’s Security Department revealed details of the incident in Aqilah, saying that the two soldiers killed in "the treacherous attack launched by ISIS” were Osman Issa al-Zawawi and Abdul Rahim Awad al-Denglawi al-Qabaeli. Security forces also found five bombs prepared for detonation.

Commander of Battalion 141, Brigadier General Abdullah Naji and a team of military engineering arrived at the scene and dismantled the bombs.

The Security Directorate continued that “Ajdabiya operations pursued the terrorists, and clashed with them in the area of al-Jafr, south of Aqilah, during which soldier Qabaeli was killed.”.

Al-Shaheed Hospital in Ajdabiya announced that it had received the bodies of two dead soldiers and three wounded. Local media reported that the ISIS terrorists “slit a police officer’s throat” and killed another, and the group later attacked a police station, raised the ISIS flag atop the building and burned several police and ambulance vehicles.

Al-Wasat media outlet quoted the head of the police station, Major Meftah Rahil, as saying that ISIS members also kidnapped a citizen who was driving a minibus and made sure to shoot a video of the highway before leaving.

However, Ajdabiya Operations denied claims that Othman al-Zawawi had his throat slit and confirmed that he “was shot dead”.



Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.