Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Indian Maoists ‘kill 15 police in landmine blast’‎

According to Indian police officials, at least 15 police service members were killed following a landmine explosion in Maharashtra state of India on Tuesday.

The officials further added, the policemen were traveling through a densely forested area of Maharashtra state when the rebels set off a land mine, blowing up their vehicle.

An Indian security official speaking on the condition of anonymity said, at least 13 policemen were also wounded in the powerful blast.

Maoist rebels in the eastern state of Orissa kidnapped two Italians about two weeks ago, but released one and have been in talks with the state government over the other man’s release.

Maoist rebels frequently target police and government officials, whom they accuse of colluding with landlords and rich farmers to exploit the poor.

The Maoists want the government to call off all anti-rebel operations in Orissa and release rebel leaders from jail before they agree to release the remaining hostage.

The rebels are now present in 20 of India’s 28 states and have an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 fighters, according to the Home Ministry. Thousands of people — including police, militants and civilians — have died in the violence in recent years.

from KHAAMA
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Four mine planter suspects killed in Khost province

According to local security officials in eastern Khost province, at least four suspects were killed following an air raid by International Security Assistance Force in this province.

In the meantime provincial security chief Gen. Mohammad Yaqoob said, the air raid was carried out on Monday night around 10:00 pm local time in Gorbaz district at Anzorgai area.

Gen. further added, Afghan police forces reached to the scene of the incident and transferred the dead bodies of the suspects killed during the air raid to provincial hospital.

He also said preliminary reports suggests those killed during the air raid were nomads.

NATO-led International Security Assistance Force officials yet to comment regarding the incident.

from KHAAMA
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Deadly suicide bombing plot thwarted in Kabul


According to Afghan security officials, several suspected individuals were arrested in capital Kabul for plotting suicide bomb attacks.

The officials further added, a group of suspects were detained along with 11 suicide bombing vests at the ministry of defense of Afghanistan.

The individuals were detained from related compounds of the Afghan defense ministry and a number of the suspects are Afghan army members, the officials added.

The officials did not disclose further information regarding the main targets of the bombing plot however it seems the suspects were looking to target Afghan defense ministry since they were arrested along with the explosives from the defense ministry related compounds....

Read more from KHAAMA
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Afghan arrests after authorities foil 'suicide attack'

Sixteen people have been arrested in the Afghan capital, Kabul, after plans for an apparent mass suicide attack were foiled.

Intelligence officials have told the BBC that 11 suicide jackets were seized in the ministry of defence.
They say the attacks would have caused significant loss of life if they had gone ahead.
Some of those arrested are reported to be soldiers in the Afghan National Army.

The jackets were seized on Monday afternoon from three separate rooms around a ministry car park, less than a kilometre from the presidential palace.

Six soldiers were arrested at the time - initial reports suggested they were armed and prepared to attack.

It appears the jackets were intended to be detonated on buses transporting staff to and from work. Eleven buses carrying 1,100 personnel were due to set off just 45 minutes after the arrests were made.

Another 10 people were arrested on Tuesday and more arrests could follow, intelligence and security officials told the BBC, adding that the ministry was in lock-down.

The BBC's Bilal Sarwary in Kabul says the problem of attacks by rogue soldiers and Taliban infiltrators has plagued the Afghan police and army for several years.

The arrests came as people wearing the uniforms of Afghan security forces killed one US and two British soldiers in separate incidents, in Paktika province and Lashkar Gah respectively....

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CBS News report

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 Al Jazeera report
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Heavy explosion rocks eastern Nangarhar province

An heavy explosion rocked eastern Nangahar province on Tuesday morning, killing and injuring a number of Afghan civilians and security forces.

The incident took palce around 10:00 am local time at Pacheragam district in Kata Kheli area while a number of the counter-narcotics campaign officials were visiting the area.

The officials were also accompanied by a number of Afghan border protection police forces, Afghan national army and local security forces.

According to the local residents, at least 6 Afghan army soldiers and an Afghan civilian were killed and several others including Afghan security forces were injured.

Unconfirmed reports suggest Afghan security forces opened fire following the explosion which killed and injured a number of the Afghan civilians.

An Afghan local security official speaking on the condition of anonymity said, an Afghan national army soldier was killed and two others were injured while an Afghan civilian was killed during the explosion.

No group including the Taliban militants have so far claimed responsibility behind the incident.

Taliban militants and other insurgents groups frequently use improvised explosive device and roadside bombs as the weapon of their choice to target Afghan and coalition security forces.

from KHAAMA
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Aussie aid worker injured in Oruzgan named

Tarin Kowt Airport
Tarin Kowt Airport (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Australian AusAID adviser injured in an apparent suicide attack in Afghanistan has been named as David Savage, 49, a former Australian Federal Police (AFP) officer and peacekeeper.

In a statement issued by AusAID on Tuesday night, Mr Savage's family said he was working with AusAID in Afghanistan's Oruzgan Province helping local communities to rebuild and take control of their lives.

"The Savage family would like to confirm that it was David Savage, who was injured in the terrible suicide attack in Afghanistan on March 26," the statement said.

"He is currently in a stable condition."

Details of what occurred remain scanty.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said he was involved in work outside the main Australian base at Tarin Kowt when he was injured.

AusAID said he was leaving a community meeting in the Chora Valley, north of Tarin Kowt, when the attack occurred.

He had been accompanied by International Security Assistance Force soldiers, standard procedure for the movement of aid and other officials outside the Tarin Kowt base.

No other Australians were present.

Mr Savage, who reportedly comes from Canberra, was treated in Tarin Kowt and then transferred to the medical facility at Kandahar for more advanced treatment.

It's now believed he's on his way to Germany for further treatment.

"We are working to ensure that he receives the best of medical care and that his family in Australia is supported at this time," Ms Gillard told reporters in Seoul.

Mr Savage's family said David's career as a member of the AFP, a UN peacekeeper and now a member of the Australian Civilian Corps was an indication of his strong commitment to helping people in need.
"That he should be injured while trying to help people is a difficult thing for us to understand. We would like to thank everyone for their well wishes," the family said.

from thewest.com.au
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14 militants killed, 4 injured in Afghan police operations

Afghan interior ministry following a press release on Tuesday announced at least 18 armed militants were killed and injured and 7 others were detained following Afghan police forces military operations.

The source further added, the militants were killed, injured and detained in 13 separate military operations conducted by Afghan national police forces during the past 24 hours.

The operations were conducted in conjunction with the Afghan national army, Afghan intelligence and coalition security forces at Kabul, Nangarhar, Faryab, Kandahar, Helmand, Nimroz, Zabul, Ghazni and Paktia provinces of Afghanistan, the statement added.

At least 14 insurgents were killed, four of them were injured and 7 others were detained by Afghan security forces.

Afghan interior ministry officials also added, Afghan police forces also seized some weapons, ammunitions and explosives during the military operations.

In separate military operations Afghan police forces seized an improvised explosive device and 8 rounds of missiles from Nuristan and Herat provinces of Afghanistan.

Anti-government armed militant groups yet to comment regarding the operations.

from KHAAMA
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R.I.P. - Sgt. Daniel J. Brown

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Sgt. Daniel J. Brown, 27, of Jerome, Idaho, died March 24 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

 He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

            For more information the media may contact Fort Carson Public Affairs Office at 719-526-7525, or after duty hours 719-526-5500.

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The family released a statement.

"Dan will be missed by his family and friends. He loved the company of others and was a friend to everyone he knew, because he always put others before himself. This was especially true of his brother Matt. Dan felt a call to join the Army after the events of 9/11."

"He was a leader who took his role seriously and led by example. Dan was also very athletic and loved football and baseball. For his Jerome High School senior project, he began a mentoring program to help younger kids excel at baseball."

"He leaves behind his wife Jordan Brown and their 3-month old twin daughters Mattie and Marlee, his brother Matt, his parents Becky and Jerry Brown and his grandparents Lee and Barbara Urie."
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Mar.27., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – In Maidan Shar district, Wardak province, a combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader during an operation, today.

The leader organized attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces in the district. The security force also seized one shotgun as a result of this operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

A combined Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to capture a Taliban facilitator in Zharay district, Kandahar province, today. The facilitator provides weapons and roadside bombs to insurgents for attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces in the district. The security force detained two suspected insurgents as a result of this operation.

East

A combined Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to capture a Haqqani leader in Sabari district, Khost province, today. The leader distributes roadside bombs to insurgents and coordinates attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces throughout the district. The security force detained two suspected insurgents as a result of this operation.

In Baraki Barak district, Logar province, a combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader during an operation today. The leader directed roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces throughout Logar province.

A combined Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to capture a Haqqani facilitator in Sharana district, Paktika province, today. The facilitator provides weapons for insurgent attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces throughout the district. The security force detained two suspected insurgents as a result of this operation.

Finally, a Provincial Response Company advised by coalition forces conducted an operation in Achin district, Nangarhar province to recover a weapons and unexploded ordinance cache, yesterday. The search by the PRC recovered numerous RPG rounds and multiple recoilless rifle rounds. The materials were safely destroyed on site.


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Nigeria: Gunmen Attack American Embassy in Abuja

Political map of the 36 States of Nigeria (Eng...
Political map of the 36 States of Nigeria (English)  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Abuja The United States of America Embassy in Nigeria’s capital Abuja, came under attack yesterday by unknown gunmen.

Details of the attack were sketchy, but it was learnt that the gunmen were over-powered by superior fire of a combined team of  security men on guard at the embassy located along the Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District.

According to reports, several shots were heard within the vicinity of the embassy in the afternoon, when the Ambassador was having a meeting with staff of the embassy. The internal security had to set off the alarm and got everyone to take cover.

It was gathered that as the shooting was going on everyone within the embassy ran for dear life before the situation was brought under control.  Two suspected assailants were apprehended and taken into custody at the end of the incident.

The embassy has been under heavy security watch since the attack on the United Nations Building in Abuja, last year.  It has been heavily barricaded, while fierce-looking security men keep watch around its vicinity.

A terse statement by the US authorities confirming the incident said, “we believe there were shots fired in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy. The Nigerian authorities have two individuals in custody. We refer you to the Nigerian police for further information.”

Strangely however, the police authorities in Abuja denied knowledge of the shooting and the arrest of the two individuals at the scene of the incident.

When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations officer, Superintendent of Police Jimoh Moshood, told Vanguard that some senior police officers had been dispatched to the embassy to ascertain what really happened. An Anti-Terrorist Squad and Bomb disposal units were also said to have been deployed to carry out investigations about the alleged shooting incident but they said nothing of such happened.

from Vanguardngr
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Senior Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader killed during operation

Districts of Faryab.
Districts of Faryab. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
ISAF:
2012-03-S-034For Immediate Release
KABUL, Afghanistan (Mar. 27) — An Afghan Special Unit and coalition troops conducted an operation in Shirin Tagab district, Faryab province, yesterday to detain Makhdum Nusrat, the senior Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader in Afghanistan.
During the operation, insurgents fired on the combined security force. The force returned fire, killing Makhdum and several additional IMU insurgents. Two other insurgents were detained along with a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, multiple rockets, several AK-47s and grenades.Makhdum was the highest-ranking IMU insurgent operating in the country. He led attacks against Afghan and coalition troops throughout the northern provinces for the last eight months and was plotting the assassination of an Afghan Parliament member in Kabul. 

The IMU is a terrorist organization closely linked to Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. It conducts insurgent attacks in the northern region of Afghanistan among other countries in Central Asia. 
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Third NATO service member killed in alleged "green on blue" attack

Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- A man alleged to be a local Afghan policeman killed an American service member in eastern Afghanistan on Monday, while two British troops were shot and killed by an Afghan soldier in the southern province of Helmand, according to U.S., NATO and Afghan officials.

The British troops were killed outside a Provincial Reconstruction Team's headquarters in the southern city of Lashkar Gah, NATO and local officials said. Coalition forces then fatally shot the gunman.
A spokesman for the provincial governor said the incident stemmed from an argument the soldier had with the victims.

The eastern Afghanistan victim was an American soldier, a senior U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told CNN. NATO said he was shot as he approached an Afghan local police checkpoint; it said Afghan and coalition forces are investigating the incident but released no further details.

Monday's deaths bring to 93 the number of coalition service members who have died in Afghanistan this year, 44 of them Americans. In 2012 to date, 16 have been killed in what are euphemistically called "green on blue" attacks, meaning Afghan troops who have turned their weapons on allied forces.

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/26/world/asia/afghanistan-nato-deaths/?hpt=hp_t3 

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ISAF :

KABUL, Afghanistan – An International Security Assistance Force service member died following a shooting incident in eastern Afghanistan, March 26.

According to operational reports, the ISAF service member was shot by an alleged member of the Afghan Local Police as the security force approached an ALP checkpoint.

The circumstances behind the incident are currently under investigation by Afghan and coalition forces.

It is ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities. For questions regarding Afghan forces involvement, please contact the Afghan Ministry of the Interior.

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