US approves sale of missiles, surveillance planes to South Korea
Washington, Sep 14 : US President Donald Trump's administration has approved the sale of 64 missiles and six surveillance planes for an estimated cost of $2.6 billion, the State Department has announced.
"The proposed sale will support US foreign policy and national security objectives by enhancing Korea's naval capabilities to provide national defence and significantly contribute to coalition operations," CNN quoted the Department as saying on Thursday.
If approved by Congress, the sale of the P-8A patrol aircraft will provide an upgrade over the older, US-made P-3 surveillance planes that South Korea has used for over 25 years.
The P-8A is the newest maritime, patrol and reconnaissance aircraft built by the US.
Purchasing the Patriot Advanced Capability missiles will allow South Korea "to improve its missile defence capability, defend its territorial integrity and deter threats to regional stability", the Department said.
It will also "increase the defensive capabilities of the (South Korean) Military to guard against hostile aggression and shield the allies who train and operate within South Korea's borders".
As part of the sale, South Korea would also receive tactical radio, navigation and early missile warning sensors for the aircraft.
Thursday's announcement comes as the US and allies are days away from launching a new effort to "name and shame" North Korea by publicly exposing violations of sanctions aimed at curbing its nuclear and missile programmes, defence officials told CNN.
The new effort will make more public US and allied military efforts to enforce UN sanctions against North Korea, particularly the monitoring of ships performing illicit transfers of refined petroleum to North Korean oil tankers in the East China Sea.
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Violence reported in several parts of Kerala after civic poll results
Kozhikode (PTI): Violence erupted overnight at various places across Kerala, particularly in northern districts, following the announcement of local body election results, police said.
In Eramala in Kozhikode district, tension prevailed throughout the night after the Indira Gandhi Bhavan, a Congress office, was allegedly attacked by CPI(M) workers.
According to an FIR registered at Edachery police station, around 200 people marched towards the Congress office carrying dangerous weapons and vandalised the building, causing damage estimated at around Rs five lakh.
A statue of late prime minister Indira Gandhi was also damaged in the attack, police said. Soon after, UDF activists gathered at the spot, further aggravating the situation.
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However, with the deployment of additional police personnel, the situation was brought under control, an officer said.
Police said another violent incident was reported at Marad, where stones were allegedly pelted at a UDF victory procession, leaving several persons injured.
In Sultan Bathery in Wayanad district, police registered a case after a car carrying a UDF activist and his family members was allegedly attacked by around 40 CPI(M) workers, an official said.
Sultan Bathery police also booked UDF activists in a separate incident for allegedly attacking a CPI(M) worker who objected to the bursting of crackers near his house, the officer said.
In Panoor in Kannur district, houses of several Muslim League activists were allegedly attacked by CPI(M) workers. Vehicles parked at the houses were also damaged.
According to Panoor police, the violence broke out after a UDF victory rally was allegedly stopped by CPI(M) workers armed with swords and daggers. Some UDF leaders sustained injuries in the clash.
Clashes were also reported between UDF and LDF workers at Ulikkal in Kannur district, though police intervention brought the situation under control later in the night, an officer in the Ulikkal police station said.
In Bedakom in Kasaragod district, an LDF victory march turned violent after CPI(M) activists allegedly intercepted UDF workers passing through the area. Some policemen who intervened suffered minor injuries, an officer said.
Similar violence was reported from Neyyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram district following clashes between CPI(M) and BJP workers. Police said workers from both sides sustained minor injuries and were admitted to hospitals. Cases will be registered after formal complaints are received, police said.
