Taliban Leader Planning To Attack Red Cross Center In Afghanistan Arrested

(RTTNews) - An Afghan-coalition security force detained a Taliban leader who was planning an upcoming attack against a Red Cross Center in the eastern Afghan province of Logar.

He was taken into custody during an operation in Pul-e 'Alam district on Tuesday, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Joint Command said in a press release. The Taliban leader directed roadside bombings, suicide attacks and other operations against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the district. He also coordinated for weapons, ammunition, explosives, and suicide-bombers for those attacks, the release said.

Security forces detained two additional insurgents in this operation.

Multiple suspected Taliban insurgents were detained during an operation in Aliabad district of Kunduz province. A Haqqani leader was captured during a joint operation in Sarobi district, Paktika province. He conducted attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Sarobi, Gomal, and Omnah districts. He also provided weapons, ammunition and equipment to the insurgents under his control. Security forces detained two additional insurgents during this operation.

Two Taliban insurgents, who attempted to shoot at the Afghan and coalition troops as they approached a Taliban leader's suspected location in Khugyani district of Nangarhar province, were killed when the forces returned fire. In subsequent search, the forces detained three more insurgents and recovered an AK-47, another rifle, a pistol, ammunition and two hand grenades.

A Taliban leader, who was responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Shinkai district in the southern province of Zabul, died as a motorcycle he was riding crashed while attempting to flee approaching forces on Saturday.

Another militant leader, who was a pillion-rider on the motorcycle, was detained. He was identified as one who attempted to enforce Taliban law on civilians in the area.

The Provincial Response Company, supported by coalition forces, discovered four anti-personnel mines, two rifles, small arms ammunition, one radio, one tactical vest and various improvised explosive device components from the motorcycle.

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Afghan National Police arrested six mine planters in Badghis, Zabul and Kunduz provinces

Publish Date: May 15, 2012

Afghan National Police arrested six mine planters in Badghis, Zabul and Kunduz provinces

Afghan National Police arrested three mine planters while they attempted to plant an anti-vehicle mine in the main road of Boom Dara region, Qadis District of Badghis province, yesterday.

In the meantime, Afghan National Police arrested a mine planter with one radio handset while he attempted to plant an anti-vehicle mine in the main road of Mizan District of Zabul province, yesterday.

Additionally, Afghan National Police arrested two mine planters while they attempted to plant a roadside mine in the Chal Tipa village, Amam Sahib District of Kunduz province, yesterday.

Also, one mine planter was killed by his own explosive while he attempted to plant an anti-vehicle mine in the Gori region, Chahar Sada District of Ghor province, yesterday.

Afghan National Police are working diligently with local leaders and the public to prevent these types of acts from killing and wounding innocent civilians and security forces.

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Kenyan police killed, three others injured as explosion rocks northern region

GARISSA, Kenya, May 15 (Xinhua) -- A Kenyan police officer was killed and three of his colleagues were seriously injured early on Tuesday in an explosion believed to have been planted by suspected militia group Al-Shabaab in northern region.

The deadly explosive in sprawling Dagahley refugee camp, one of the three refugee camps in Dadaab refugee complex pushes the death toll to 15 of Kenya security personnel killed in such explosive by suspected sympathizers of the Somali group since the country neigbouring to Somali sent it's military to the war-torn country to root out the Islamist.

The officers who were from Administration Police wing were returning from patrol in outskirt of the refugee camp, when their police land rover over run an explosive device planted on the road at around midday. Regional police commander, Leo Nyongesa said the four Administration Police officers were returning from their normal morning patrol before the vehicle they were travelling in hit an Improvised Explosive Device which was hidden on the sandy road to their camp.

"One of the officers who was of the rank of a Constable died on the spot of his injuries, while three of his colleagues who were in the same vehicle were seriously injured and they were rushed to Dadaab district hospital for treatment," Nyongesa told Xinhua by telephone.

The deadly explosive which killed the driver of the vehicle come barely three days after police detected similar explosives which was planted on the main roads linking the three refugee camps in Dadaab.

"The officers were just returning from a normal security patrol in the camps to be relieved in the afternoon shift by their colleagues, but unfortunately some few meters from their camp they were caught in the explosion that has also extensively damaged the vehicle," he said.

Kenya authority has been blaming the Somali militants, Al Qaeda- linked group of masterminding series of kidnappings of foreign aid workers in Northern region breeding into its incursion into Somalia last year.

The regional police chief said that there were plans to airlift the seriously injured officers who include a senior sergeant who was heading the patrol to Nairobi force memorial for specialist treatment.

Nyongesa said preliminary investigations by police indicates that there are links between the Tuesday's deadly explosive and a series of IEDs detected by explosives experts on the main roads between the refugee camps last week.

"We suspect that the criminals who had been planting Improvised Explosive Devices that have been discovered by our security personnel before causing any harm to our people and officers are the same people who had planted today's dead device," Nyongesa said.

The East African nation a has also been plagued by a spate of grenade and landmine attacks in its northern region where the insurgents have killed more than 15 police officers and over 30 civilians.

Since the Kenya military incursion into Somalia several attacks believed to have been carried out by Al-Shabaab have occurred in Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa and Dadaab districts of northern Kenya even as the military reports gains against the Islamist group by capturing their military bases and killing scores of them.

Nyongesa said extra security personnel were deployed in Dagahley refugee camp to pursue those behind the planting of the IEDs in the area, who they believed are hiding in the camps.

"We appeal to peace loving Kenyans and refugees hosted in our country to help security agencies in the area by providing crucial information on suspected criminal elements bent on harming others, " he said.

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R.I.P. - Spc. Alex Hernandez III

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

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

            Spc. Alex Hernandez III, 21, of Round Rock, Texas, died May 12, in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

            Hernandez was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii.

            For more information related to this release, media may contact the 25th Infantry Division public affairs office at 011-9379-766-5072.

            CORRECTION:  May 14, 2012 -- The telephone number for the 25th Infantry Division public affairs office has been changed from 808-655-6351 to 011-9379-766-5072.

---
from kxan.com:

According to the the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, Hernandez was found unresponsive in his room, the incident is under investigation.

Hernandez joince the Army in July 2009 and most recently served as a Door Gunner.
Before he came to Hawaii, he was a Test Equipment Operator and attended Basic Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Spc. Hernandez's awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, and an Aviator Badge.

Hernandez is survived by his wife Tyasia Pompy.

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R.I.P. - Sgt. Wade D. Wilson

DOD Identifies Marine Casualty

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

            Sgt. Wade D. Wilson, 22, of Normangee, Texas, died May 11 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

            For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the 1st Marine Division public affairs office at 760-725-8766.

---

from nctimes.com:

A Camp Pendleton sergeant on his second combat deployment in Afghanistan has been killed, the Defense Department said Monday.

The department said Sgt. Wade D. Wilson "died while conducting combat operations in the Helmand province." No further details were provided.

Wilson, 22, was listed as a native of Normangee, Texas, whose family resides in Leona, Texas.
He was killed Friday, the Pentagon said.

Wilson was an anti-tank missileman assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force based at Camp Pendleton.

CBS television affiliate KBTX.com in Bryan-College Station, Texas, quoted his high school football coach, Kyle Hardee, saying he remembers the fallen Marine's toughness and character.

"He was just one of those kids with heart, and he would be willing to do anything to get the job done," Hardee told the station.

A friend, Corey Boudiette, was quoted on the station's website saying he spoke with Wilson last Wednesday.

"He said that it was getting really hot over there and that he had been blown up by three IEDs in a week. But he said, 'It's OK, I'm having fun and I'm with people I care about,'" Boudiette said.

Wilson enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 2007 after graduating from Centerville High School where he played football, ran track and showed livestock at the county fair, according to base officials and an obituary from his hometown.

His decorations include the Purple Heart medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two bronze star devices, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with bronze star device, and the NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan.

Survivors include his parents, his stepfather, three brothers, a sister and three stepsisters.
Wilson's funeral services in Centerville are pending.

About 10,000 locally based Marines and sailors are serving in Afghanistan in this, the 11th year of the war.

They are being led by Camp Pendleton's Maj. Gen. Charles "Mark" Gurganus, who will brief local reporters later this week on his view of the war's progress.

Since the war began ---- after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 ---- 1,971 American troops have died in Afghanistan, including 107 this year.

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R.I.P. - 1st Lt. Alejo R. Thompson

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

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

            1st Lt. Alejo R. Thompson, 30, of Yuma, Ariz., died May 11 in Bagram, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with small-arms fire.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

            For more information please contact Fort Carson public affairs office at 719-526-7525 or at 719-526-5500, if after normal business hours.

---

He joined the Army on Sept. 19, 2000, and was assigned to Fort Carson on April 20, 2011. His most recent deployment to Afghanistan began on March 6.
He was deployed in Iraq from March 28, 2003, to Feb. 4, 2004.
Thompson will receive the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals, posthumously, the Army said today.

Related articles

• U.S. Military Deaths in Afghanistan (nytimes.com)

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Omani jihadist killed in US airstrike in 'Khorasan'

By Bill Roggio - May 14, 2012 - LWJ

Left and right images: Abu Hamza al Omani. Images from the SITE Intelligence Group.

An Omani jihadist was among several foreign fighters who were killed in a recent US drone strike in the "Khorasan," according to a statement released on jihadist Internet forums.

The statement, which was unsigned, said that Abu Hamza al Omani, also known as Imran bin Abdullah bin Khamis al Balochi, was killed in a US airstrike on May 5, 2012 along with several other "brothers and supporters" who were not identified.

"The courageous knight dismounted on the night of Saturday, 5 May 2012, when the planes of the infidel enemy targeted a center in which there were several mujahideen. The brother fell as a martyr, accompanied by a number of his brothers and supporters...," said the statement, which was translated by the SITE Intelligence Group.

Although the location of the "center" was not disclosed, the statement claimed that Abu Hamza al Omani and the other fighters were killed in "the land of Khorasan," which includes Pakistan and Afghanistan.

On May 5, the US carried out a drone strike in the Shawal Valley in North Waziristan. The strike targeted a compound known to be used as a training center, killing 10 "militants" [see LWJ report, US drones kill 10 in North Waziristan]. Situated near the Afghan border, the Shawal Valley is a known operating area for al Qaeda, the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, and Taliban fighters under the command of Hafiz Gul Bahadar, the leader of the Taliban in North Waziristan.

Al Qaeda and the Khorasan
The term "Khorasan" refers to a region that encompasses large areas of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Iran. Jihadists consider the Khorasan to be the area where they will inflict the first defeat against their enemies in the Muslim version of Armageddon. The final battle is to take place in the Levant - Israel, Syria, and Lebanon.

Mentions of the Khorasan have begun to increase in al Qaeda's propaganda over the past several years. After al Qaeda's defeat in Iraq, the group began shifting its rhetoric from promoting Iraq as the central front in its jihad and has placed the focus on the Khorasan.

Al Qaeda typically is referring to Afghanistan and Pakistan's tribal areas when it mentions Khorasan. In February 2012, a senior al Qaeda operative said that al Qaeda is "still standing" despite repeated US drone strikes in the Khorasan; the US drone program in the region primarily kills al Qaeda leaders and fighters in Pakistan's tribal areas. Also in February 2012, al Qaeda released images of leaders and fighters who were killed in drone strikes in Pakistan's tribal areas and in airstrikes in Afghanistan.

Abu Hamza and jihad
According to Abu Hamza's martyrdom statement, he "grew up in a humble home in Barka province" (likely a reference to the coastal city of Barka in northern Oman) and "completed his secondary education and enrolled in the High Technical College." Abu Hamza then abandoned his degree and moved "to the land of migration and jihad," or Afghanistan, with others about one year ago.

The statement claimed that Abu Hamza traveled to the Khorasan with Abu Obedia al Omani, who was killed while fighting along the Afghan-Pakistan border on Jan. 8, 2012. Abu Hamza and others were wounded in the "bombing by the planes of the infidel enemy" that killed Abu Obedai.
Abu Hamza served as a trainer, according to the statement.

"He quickly mastered the art of fighting and he specialized in the cannon and would train his brothers on it," his martyrdom statement said. "His brothers knew him only as a person who was stationed in the front lines of combat, committed to his front," the statement continued, in all likelihood referring to Afghanistan. "[A]nd whenever he left one he would go to another, seeking combat or death."

Al Qaeda is known to embed small teams of trainers with the Taliban and other terrorist groups in Afghanistan, and in the east is known to fight on the battlefield in small units. [See LWJ reports, Al Qaeda's paramilitary 'Shadow Army' and 'Foreign trainers' active in southeastern Afghan province, for more information on al Qaeda's role in Afghanistan.]

The martyrdom statement indicated that a group of Omanis is still operating along the Afghan-Pakistani border. In addition to the statement that Abu Hamza traveled to the Khorasan with several other Omanis, one of the pictures showed "a group of Omani brothers while heading out for one of the operations."

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/05/us_drones_kill_omani.php#ixzz1uwJk7rFE

Related articles

• Omani jihadist killed US airstrike in 'Khorasan' (longwarjournal.org)

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At least 32 killed in new Yemen offensive on militants

(Reuters) - At least 32 people, including 23 al Qaeda-linked militants were killed in Yemen, officials and residents said on Tuesday, as the government pressed ahead with a new U.S.-backed offensive against insurgents in the south of the country.

Washington has stepped up its drone attacks in Yemen since President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February, and the Pentagon said last week it had recently resumed sending military trainers to the Arab state.

A growing Islamist insurgency in Yemen is of serious concern to the United States and oil exporter Saudi Arabia, who both fear that political infighting could give al Qaeda's regional wing a foothold near oil shipping routes through the Red Sea.

Residents and local officials said heavy fighting erupted overnight between the Yemeni army and militants in an area called al-Jabalain in the south of the country, as the army tried to advance on the militant-held city of Jaar.

The clashes continued until early on Tuesday, killing at least eight militants and one Yemeni soldier, they said, adding the army had captured two Somali Islamist fighters.

Separately, an airstrike by Yemeni warplanes killed six civilians by mistake in Jaar, a city in Abyan province and a stronghold of al Qaeda fighters, residents said. Another strike hit two suspected militant vehicles and killed its seven passengers, they added.

Near the southern town of Lawdar eight militants and two army-allied tribal fighters were killed in clashes at an area called Jebel Yasuf, 10 km (6 miles) from Lawdar, a tribal source said. The army and tribesman regained control of Jebel Yasuf, the source added.

(Reporting by Mohammed Mukhashaf; Writing by Rania El Gamal)

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3 Afghan soldiers killed in Paktia and Helmand province

At least 4 Afghan national army soldiers were killed or injured in various incidents at southern Helmand, eastern Paktia and western Herat provinces of Afghanistan during the past 24 hours.

According to a statement released by Afghan defense ministry at least 2 Afghan national soldiers were killed following a roadside bomb explosion at eastern Paktia province and another Afghan national army soldier was killed at southern Helmand province.

The statement further added another Afghan national army soldier was injured in a separate incident at western Herat province of Afghanistan.

Afghan defense ministry officials also added Afghan security force seized some weapons, ammunitions and explosives during the military operations at southern Helmand, Uruzgan, Nangarhar and Khost provinces of Afghanistan.

from KHAAMA

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Haqqani Network leader detained in Paktika province

Afghan and coalition security forces detained Haqqani Network and Taliban leaders following joint military operations at eastern paktika and Logar provinces of Afghanistan.

According to a statement released by International Security Assistance Force, Afghan and coalition security force detained a Haqqani leader during an operation in Sarobi district, Paktika province.

The leader conducted attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Sarobi, Gomal, and Omnah districts. He also provided weapons, ammunition and equipment to the insurgents under his control. The security force detained two additional insurgents as a result of this operation.

The source further added, Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban leader during an operation in Pul-e ‘Alam district, Logar province. The leader directed roadside bombings, suicide attacks and other operations against Afghan and coalition security forces throughout the district.

He also coordinated for weapons, ammunition, explosives, and suicide bombers for those attacks, and was planning an upcoming attack against a Red Cross Center in Logar province.

The security force detained two additional insurgents as a result of this operation. Anti-government armed militant groups yet to commment regarding the operations.



from KHAAMA

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May 15., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban leader during an operation in Pul-e ‘Alam district, Logar province, today.

The leader directed roadside bombings, suicide attacks and other operations against Afghan and coalition security forces throughout the district. He also coordinated for weapons, ammunition, explosives, and suicide bombers for those attacks, and was planning an upcoming attack against a Red Cross Center in Logar province.

The security force detained two additional insurgents as a result of this operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

In Aliabad district, Kunduz province, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to detain a Taliban leader today. The leader plans and organizes roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Aliabad district. He also provides weapons and ammunition to insurgents in the area and attempts to recruit new fighters from throughout the province. Multiple suspected insurgents were detained during the operation.

South

A Provincial Response Company, supported by coalition forces, conducted a vehicle interdiction operation in Shinkai district, Zabul province, Saturday. During the operation the combined force identified a motorcycle being driven in a suspicious manner. As the force approached, the two individuals on the motorcycle attempted to flee and crashed. One insurgent was detained, the other died as a result of injuries sustained during the crash. The force then searched the motorcycle, discovering four anti-personnel mines, two rifles, small arms ammunition, one radio, one tactical vest and various improvised explosive device components. All of the materials were destroyed on-site.

Following the operation, the detained insurgent was identified as a leader that attempted to enforce Taliban law on civilians in the area. The insurgent that died in the crash was also an insurgent leader, who was responsible for attacks in against Afghan and coalition forces in the district.

East

An Afghan and coalition security force detained a Haqqani leader during an operation in Sarobi district, Paktika province, today. The leader conducted attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Sarobi, Gomal, and Omnah districts. He also provided weapons, ammunition and equipment to the insurgents under his control. The security force detained two additional insurgents as a result of this operation.

In Khugyani district, Nangarhar province, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to capture a Taliban leader today. The leader conducts roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces in the district. He also supplies the insurgents under his control with weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices to carry out those attacks. During the operation, two insurgents attempted to fire on the Afghan and coalition troops as they approached the leader’s suspected location. The security force engaged the insurgents, killing both. During a subsequent search, the force detained three additional insurgents and recovered an AK-47, an additional rifle, a pistol, ammunition and two hand grenades.

Finally, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to detain a Haqqani facilitator and explosives expert in Nadir Shah Kot district, Khost province, today. The facilitator acquires explosive materials for the production of roadside bombs and other types of explosive devices. He also provides technical advice to insurgents on the construction and employment of IEDs used in attacks against Afghan and coalition troops in the district. The security force detained one suspected insurgent as a result of this operation.

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May 14., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan – Afghan forces detained nine suspects during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, May 14.

Nangarhar province
Insurgents engaged an Afghan civilian fuel truck with small arms fire in the village of Pachir Wa Agam district Wednesday, wounding one Afghan civilian. Afghan Uniform Police detained nine individuals suspected to be involved in the attack. The Afghan civilian was brought to a local hospital for treatment.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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