Monday, August 6, 2012

11 local policemen defect to Taliban

LASHKARGAH (PAN): Eleven members of the local police force, including a commander, surrendered to Taliban insurgents in the Musa Qala district of southern Helmand province, officials said on Monday.

Commander Mohammad Khan also turned in 11 Kalashnikovs assault rifles and two machine guns to the militants late on Sunday, the district chief, Niamatullah Zamaray, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

A Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, verified a dozen personnel of the NATO-funded force had defected to the movement, but the Ministry of Interior repudiated the claim as baseless.

from Pajhwok
by Zainullah Stanikzai on Aug 6, 2012 - 14:25   

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Suicide blast kill district security chief in Ghor province

According to local authorities in western Ghor province of Afghanistan, a number of provincial governor officials were killed following a suicide bomb blast in this province.

The officials further added district security chief for Chaharsada Gul Ahmad was killed and district development chief along with operations director were injured following the blast.

Provincial governor spokesman Abdul Hai Khatibi said the incident took place around 9:30 am local time at Chaharsada district while the vehicles convoy of the provincial officials were crossing the area.

Mr. Khatibi further added an Afghan civilian was also killed following the blast.

Taliban militants group claimed responsibility behind the incident.

from KHAAMA
By Sadaf Shinwari - Mon Aug 06, 1:45 pm

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6 armed Taliban killed, 3 wounded and 8 arrested by ANP (Aug.06.2012.)



Publish Date: Aug 06, 2012
Six armed Taliban killed, three wounded and eight arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:
During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched four joint clearance operations in Logar, Ghazni and Herat provinces.

As a result of these operations, six armed Taliban were killed, three wounded and eight others were wounded by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated six different types of weapons, one motorcycle and some amount of ammunitions and IEDs.
Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained 11 individuals accused of theft and murder in the 5th, 9th and 11th Districts of Kabul-City.
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Aug. 06., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces conducted an operation to find the Haqqani leader Hakimi in Muhammad Aghah district, Logar province, yesterday.

Hakimi served directly under the Haqqani leader for Muhammad Aghah and was directly involved in the transport of explosives and weapons to insurgent throughout the region.

During the operation the security force positively identified Hakimi and engaged him with a precision airstrike.

After the strike, the Afghan and coalition security force conducted a follow-on assessment and confirmed the strike had killed Hakimi. The force also confirmed the strike had not injured any civilians or damaged any civilian property.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

East

In Achin district, Nangarhar province, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to arrest a Taliban leader, today. During the operation, an armed group of insurgents attempted to attack the Afghan and coalition troops. The security force positively identified the armed insurgents and engaged them with a precision airstrike. While conducting a post-strike assessment, the security force confirmed the strike had killed several of the insurgent attackers. The security force also confirmed the strike had not injured any civilians or damaged any civilian property. As a result of the operation, the force also detained one suspected insurgent.

Afghan and coalition forces conducted a security operation in search of a Haqqani leader in Tsamkani district, Paktiya province, yesterday. During the operation the security force engaged a group of insurgents with a precision airstrike. After the strike, the Afghan and coalition security force conducted a follow-on assessment and confirmed several insurgents had been killed in the strike. They also confirmed the strike had not injured any civilians or damaged any civilian property.

In Terayzai district, Khost province, today, an Afghan-led security force, supported by coalition troops, conducted an operation to apprehend a Haqqani leader. The Haqqani leader is responsible for conducting several attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in recent months. He is also responsible for acquiring weapons for insurgents in the province. As a result of the operation, the security force detained several suspected insurgents.

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Aug. 06., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan (Aug. 6, 2012) – Afghan and coalition forces killed two insurgents, detained 15, located one weapons cache and cleared six improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Aug. 5.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared two improvised explosive devices, one in Gelan district and one in Ghazni district.

Khowst province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces detained five insurgents who were emplacing an improvised explosive device in Sabari district. The improvised explosive device was cleared and the detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan Border Police and coalition forces detained five insurgents during an engagement in Gurbuz district. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Sabari district. The cache contained ammunition.

Nangarhar province
Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces detained two insurgents who were emplacing an improvised explosive device in Bati Kot district. The improvised explosive device was cleared and the detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Paktika province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces killed two insurgents and wounded two in Jani Khel district during an engagement. The wounded received medical care and were transferred to a base for questioning.

Wardak province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared two improvised explosive devices, one in Sayyidabad district and in Maidan Shahr district.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces detained an insurgent who was found with improvised explosive device making materials in Maidan Shahr district. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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Kiwi soldiers killed in Afghanistan named

LCPL Pralli Durrer (L) and LCPL Rory Malone
The families of the two New Zealand soldiers slain in Afghanistan on Saturday night say they are proud of their commitment to the army.

Lance Corporals Rory Malone and Pralli Durrer, both 26, were killed after a fierce three-minute gun fight in a village near Do Abe, in the north east of Bamiyan Province.

They were deployed to Afghanistan as part of the Provincial Reconstruction team in April 2012.

The families of the men both released statements at a press conference today, expressing their loss and speaking of the commitment they had made to the armed forces.

"Rory's family is extremely proud of his service to the NZ Army. Rory went to Afghanistan to do what he considered an important job which contributed to the greater good of the region.

"He did his job with honour and pride. Rory will be dearly missed by his family," Malone's family said.

Durrer's family said: "We are all thankful for the 26 years we had with Pralli and are proud af all that he accomplished in his short time with us.

"He has had a rewarding career as a soldier and we know he had a positive effect on all those he worked alongside throughout his time with the NZ Army."

Malone, from Auckland, joined the Territorial Force in November 2002 and transferred to the Regular Force as a rifleman in September 2005. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in July 2011.


Durrer, from Christchurch, joined the New Zealand Army in June 2004 as a rifleman. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in September 2012.

Minister of Defence Jonathan Coleman said the families could be "extremely" proud of the men's service records.

Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Rhys Jones again expressed his sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased on behalf of the NZDF.

"Both Lance Corporal Malone and Lance Corporal Durrer are now in Bagram Air Base while arrangements are made for their repatriation to New Zealand.

He said the NZDF hoped to have the fallen soldiers home by the middle of the week.

Both the families have asked for privacy and time to grieve by themselves.

Six other New Zealand soldiers were also wounded in the attack, and are recovering in hospital. One of the men was shot in the neck and is in a critical condition.

"We also wish the six wounded men a speedy recovery. they are in good hands and we are looking forward to them being safely back home," Coleman said.

The deaths are the first double fatality on Afghan soil that the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has suffered since the war began.

Jones also said today the base in Do Abe was attacked by insurgents again last night, but there were no casualties.

Read more: http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/kiwi-soldiers-killed-in-afghanistan-named-5007796
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Suicide bomb attack on Nigeria checkpoint kills eight

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) - A suicide car bomber on Sunday attacked a military checkpoint in Nigeria's northeastern city of Damaturu, killing six soldiers and two civilians, police said.

Suspicion will fall on Islamist sect Boko Haram, which is waging an insurgency against President Goodluck Jonathan's government across the north with the aim of carving out an Islamic state in a country split evenly between Christians and Muslims.

"The lone suicide bomber detonated the bomb before the car he was in could be stopped, killing the six soldiers and one civilian," Patrick Egbmuniwe, the police commissioner for Yobe State, told Reuters by telephone.

"Another civilian died of his wounds in hospital shortly after."

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack in Damaturu's Shagari housing estate.

Labelled a foreign terrorist organisation by the United States, Boko Haram has been behind almost daily shootings and bombings in the volatile northeast.

Witness Abdullahi Sabo said the whole neighbourhood shook when the Damaturu bomb exploded.

"The car blew up outside the front of my shop, the explosion was deadly," he said. "After the dust settled, many security operatives were rushed to the hospital."

In a separate incident, police said suspected sect members had shot dead a former commissioner for the environment in neighbouring Borno state, the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency, in the early hours of Saturday.

Sun Aug 5, 2012 5:31pm GMT
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Death toll from Yemen funeral bombing rises to 46

ADEN, Yemen, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- An al-Qaida suicide bomber killed a prominent pro-government tribal chief and at least 45 others at a funeral in Yemen's southern province of Abyan, the Defense Ministry said Sunday.

The al-Qaida suicide bomber detonated the explosives around his waist among funeral guests in Jaar town in Abyan province late on Saturday night, the country's Defense Ministry said in a brief statement posted on its website.

"Latest reports coming from Abyan province indicate that at least 46 people were killed and about 48 others were wounded, some of them in critical conditions," the statement said.

A local pro-government tribal chief is among those killed in the funeral attended by other anti-al-Qaida militiamen and social figures, the statement added.

Al-Qaida claimed responsibility for the deadly attack in an emailed statement obtained by Xinhua on Sunday. "One of our holly warriors carried out a successful jihadist operation on a compound in Jaar town," the statement said without giving more details.

It also threatened to launch further attacks on security officials and military bases across the country.

Local residents told Xinhua anonymously that "an al-Qaida attacker apparently disguised himself as a guest and blew himself up at the entrance of the hall, where prominent tribal chiefs were welcoming guests at the funeral in Jaar town."

Backed by the United States, the Yemeni government waged a month-long intensive offensive in May against hundreds of al-Qaida militants, driving them out of strongholds they had controlled for nearly a year.

Combating al-Qaida militants in the restive south is one of the challenges confronting Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who has promised to restore security and uproot the country's branch of al-Qaida.

from XINHUA
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Al Qaeda emir for Kunar, deputy, and facilitator killed in airstrikes

Districts of Kunar.
Districts of Kunar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
By Bill Roggio - August 5, 2012 - LWJ

The Coalition confirmed that al Qaeda's leader for Kunar province and his deputy were killed in Friday's airstrike in the Watahpur district. Both al Qaeda leaders were Pakistani citizens, the International Security Assistance Force told The Long War Journal. Additionally, an al Qaeda facilitator who ran IED training camps was killed in a separate strike in Watahpur on the same day.

Mufti Assad, al Qaeda's emir for Kunar, and his deputy, Yusuf, were killed in the Aug. 3 airstrike in the key al Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Taiba hub of Watahpur, ISAF stated in a press release. Special operations forces called in an airstrike after engaging the al Qaeda force during a raid, ISAF said yesterday [see LWJ report, Al Qaeda-linked fighters killed in airstrike in Kunar].

Assad, who was also known as Mufti Punjabi, Abdul Qudus, and Sufyan, "controlled al-Qaeda terrorists operating in Kunar," ISAF said. "He led dozens of al Qaeda affiliated fighters throughout eastern Afghanistan and coordinated their attacks across the region."

Additionally Assad served as "an explosives expert who provided training to insurgents on how to construct and use improvised explosive devices."

Yusuf, al Qaeda's deputy emir for Kunar who was also known as Omar and Rayhman, was "an IED expert who directed insurgent attacks across eastern Afghanistan."

Assad and Yusuf "were both Pakistani" citizens, ISAF's Joint Command Media Operations told The Long War Journal.

ISAF also confirmed that Fatah Gul, an "al Qaeda facilitator" who ran IED training camps, was killed in a separate airstrike in Watahpur on Friday. Gul, who was also known as Inzir and Shahid, "provided safe haven to al Qaeda affiliated terrorists operating in eastern Afghanistan."

Gul "also ran terrorist training camps where insurgents learned how to conduct improvised explosive devices attacks," ISAF stated. Gul was an Afghan citizen, ISAF's Joint Command Media Operations told The Long War Journal.

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/08/al_qaeda_emir_for_ku.php#ixzz22iU0zu23

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21 armed Taliban killed and 2 wounded by ANP (Aug.05.2012.)



Publish Date: Aug 05, 2012
21 armed Taliban killed and two wounded by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:
During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched four joint clearance operations in Kapisa, Kandahar, Herat and Farah provinces.

As a result of these operations, 21 armed Taliban were killed and two others were wounded by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated eight different types of weapons, one mortar round, one machine gun, 11 heavy rounds, four magazines and motorcycle.
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R.I.P. - 1st Sgt. Russell R. Bell, Staff Sgt. Matthew S. Sitton

DOD Identifies Army Casualties

                The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two Soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

                They died Aug. 2, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when they encountered an enemy improvised explosive device.  These Soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

                Killed were:

                                1st Sgt. Russell R. Bell, 37, of Tyler, Texas, and

                                Staff Sgt. Matthew S. Sitton, 26, of Largo, Fla.

                For more information pertaining to this release, contact the 82nd Airborne Division public affairs office at 910-432-0661 or 910-813-3891.

---

from kltv:
Posted: Aug 05, 2012 11:34 PM Updated: Aug 05, 2012 11:34 PM
By Brett Collar

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Two 82nd Airborne Division Paratroopers were killed in

action Thursday by an improvised explosive device during dismounted

operations in Zharay District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.



     1st Sgt. Russell R. Bell, 37, of Tyler, Texas, and Staff Sgt. Matthew

S. Sitton
, 26, of Largo, Fla., were Paratroopers assigned to Headquarters

and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment,

4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.



Sgt. Russell R. Bell
     1st Sgt. Bell joined the Army on January 24, 1996 as an Infantryman,

attending One Station Unit Training and U.S. Army Airborne School at Ft.

Benning, Ga. before reporting to Camp Casey, Korea for his first assignment.

After spending a year in Korea, 1st Sgt. Bell reported to Fort Bragg where

he served at various levels in 1st Bn., 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment

for more than five years and then transitioned to his drill sergeant duties

at Fort Jackson, S.C.  Following his tour at Fort Jackson, 1st Sgt. Bell

returned to the airborne community with the 508th PIR in Italy and

subsequently returned to Fort Bragg where he served as a 1st Sgt. for more

than three years in two different units, most recently with HHC, 1st Bn.,

508th PIR.  This was his fourth combat deployment to Afghanistan over the

course of seven years.



     "1st Sgt. Russell Bell was one of the best all around leaders I have

had the privilege of serving alongside in over 18 years of military

service." said Lt. Col. Ced Carrington, 1-508th Battalion Commander. "His

presence alone made each day brighter.  He constantly shared stories that

put smiles on Troopers' faces.  He always looked for opportunities to make

those around him laugh - particularly during tough situations.  1st Sgt.

Bell made a difference every day and all who worked anywhere near him were

immediately drawn to his personality."



     1st Sgt. Bell's training and accomplishments include Airborne School,

Air Assault School, Warrior's Leader Course, Advanced Leader's Course, Drill

Sergeant School, Jumpmaster School, U.S. Army Ranger Course and the Senior

Leader's Course.



     His awards include the Bronze Star Medal with three oak leaf clusters,

the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, the Army

Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal

with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal with five bronze

knots, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal

with three campaign stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal,

the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal,

the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Medal with two oak leaf

clusters, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon with the

numeral three, the NATO medal, the Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, the

Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the

Master Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.
---


Staff Sgt. Matthew S. Sitton
     Staff Sgt. Sitton joined the Army on March 2, 2006 as an Infantryman,

attending Basic Training and Airborne School at Ft. Benning, Ga. and joined

4th Brigade in August 2007.  This was his second combat deployment to

Afghanistan.



     His battalion commander, Lt. Col. Ced Carrington regarded him as "One

of the battalion's most proficient and well-trained Leaders.  The bond he

developed with his team serves as a testament to how much he was loved and

respected by the Troopers who served beside him.  His no-nonsense approach

towards accomplishing tough tasks was commendable.  There was no task that

he could not accomplish."



     Staff Sgt. Sitton's accomplishments and training include Airborne

School, Long Range Reconnaissance Course, U.S. Army Ranger Course, U.S. Army

Sniper School, Warrior's Leader Course and Advanced Leader's Course.



     His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army

Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal,

the Army Good Conduct Medal with one knot, the National Defense Service

Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with a campaign star, the Global War

on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Ribbon

with the numeral two, the NATO medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Expert

Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge.



     The 4th Brigade Command Team, Col. Brian Mennes and Command Sgt. Maj.

William Forro shared this statement "1st Sgt. Bell and Staff Sgt. Sitton are

American Patriots who were part of an initiative to remove the Taliban

influence on a key sub-district in Zharay, the Nation's main effort.  They

significantly contributed to the accomplishments of this righteous endeavor

and we are indebted to them and their families for their sacrifices."
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Quetta blast kills 5; NATO supply vehicles torched

ISLAMABAD (PAN): Two International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) supply containers were torched in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan on Sunday.

A private TV channel said that the containers, carrying supplies for the NATO-led troops stationed in Afghanistan, came under attack in Khuzdar district.

DawnNews reported the vehicles were on their way from the port city of Karachi. “Unknown gunmen first started shooting at the trucks and then set them on fire.”

In Quetta, the provincial capital, five people were killed and 10 others wounded during a bomb explosion. A woman and two children were among the victims of the blast that occurred inside a house in the Faizabad area on Saryab road.

The blast took place around noon when an explosives-laden car, parked in the residential colony, was set off by a remote-controlled device. One house was razed and two others damaged.

The car was laden with 80-100 kilograms of explosive material, the bomb disposal squad said. Three shops were damaged as a result of the blast.

from Pajhwok
by Qaiser YousafzaionAug 5, 2012 - 15:56

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