French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is likely to arrive in India next week to hold talks with his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar to carry forward the over US $6 billion deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets.

The Nigerian army has freed at least 160 girls and women from the hands of Boko Haram, as it continued its advance on the Sambisa natural reserve, the last major stronghold of the terrorist group, an official said on Thursday.

At least 19 people were killed and another 22 were wounded in clashes between the army and Tuareg separatists, who since Wednesday have been trying to gain control of the city of Lere in the northwest of the country, a defence ministry statement said on Thursday.