Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Badghis: District Police Chief, 5 Others Wounded in Attack

Map of Badghis Province, Afghanistan Adapted f...
Map of Badghis Province, Afghanistan Adapted from http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/afghanis.pdf Category:Maps of Badghis Province (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
A district police chief and five others policemen were wounded in a clash with insurgents in western Badghis province on Wednesday morning, local officials said.

The incident took place in Muqur district of Badghis when some insurgents attacked the group after the police vehicle detonated a roadside mine. The district police chief Haji Zia Khan and five other policemen were wounded, provincial spokesman Sharafudin Majidi told TOLOnews.

The insurgents escaped the area after the brief clash with the police, he said.

There were no civilians casualties during the incident, he added.

No group, including the Taliban, has claimed responsibility for the incident. 

from TOLONEWS
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3 tribal elders shot dead in western Herat province

According to local authorities in western Herat province, unknown gunmen on Wednesday shot dead at least 3 local tribal elders in this province.

The officials further added the incident took place at Shindand district of western Herat province today.

Provincial police chief spokesman Noor Khan Nikzad said the incident took place around 6:30 am local time after unknown gunmen attacked the tribal elders in a mosque at Shindand district.

Mr. Nikzad further added at least 3 tribal elders including Haji Amir, Haji Ahmad and Ghausuddin were killed and another tribal elder Abdul Baqi was injured following the attack.

He also said the main purpose the behind the attack was unclear and Afghan security forces have launched investigation in this regard.

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

from KHAAMA
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R.I.P. - Staff Sgt. Israel P. Nuanes

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

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

            Staff Sgt. Israel P. Nuanes, 38, of Las Cruces, N.M., died May 12, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained during an enemy attack with an improvised explosive device.

            Nuanes was assigned to 741st Ordnance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas, part of the 84th Ordnance Battalion, 71st Ordnance Group.

            For more information related to this release, media may contact the 1st Armored Division public affairs office at 915-744-8498 or 915-744-8406.

---
5/15/2012 - A U.S. Army carry team transfers the remains of Army Staff Sgt. Israel P. Nuanes, of Las Cruces, N.M., at Dover Air Force Base, Del., May 15, 2012. Nuanes was assigned to the 741st Ordnance Company, EOD, Fort Bliss, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Roland Balik)
---
LAS CRUCES - The U.S. Department of Devense has confirmed the passing of U.S. Staff Sgt. Israel P. Nuanes of Las Cruces who was serving in Afghanistan.

Nuanes, 38, of Las Cruces died May 12, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained during an enemy attack with an improvised explosive device, according to the DOD.

Nuanes served in the 741st Ordnance Company, 84th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion, 71st Ordnance Group, of Fort Bliss, Texas.

"I extend my deepest sympathies and prayers for the family and friends of Staff Sergeant Nuanes," said Congressman Steve Pearce in a news release. "My heart goes out to his family and to the families of our fallen heroes across the nation. We will never forget the sacrifice he made to defend our nation and preserve our freedoms. His admirable service to our nation and his dedication to preserving liberty will long be remembered in New Mexico and across the U.S."
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Gunmen kidnap 15 Baghlan elders

PUL-I-KHUMRI (PAN): Unidentified gunmen abducted 15 local elders, whose relatives are working for various government organs, including the Afghan National Army (ANA), in northern Baghlan province, an official said on Wednesday.

The residents were kidnapped a week ago from the Pul-i-Hesar district, Brig. Gen. Asadullah Sherzad, the provincial police chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

He said the men were kidnapped by Commander Mujahid’s fighters and forcibly employed them on his farm to prick poppy bulbs.

Sherzad added the kidnappings were aimed to force the elders into convincing their son to quit their jobs. Police are planning to launch a search operation in Ahengran area to release the captives.

Arbab Qamayyun, a tribal elder in the area, quoted the militant commander as saying that he would not free the captives until their sons resigned government jobs.

He urged the government to take action to free the elders.  According to reports, Mujahid, having 40 fighters, threatens security in the district.

from Pajhwok

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14 armed insurgents killed in Badakhshan and Paktiya provinces and 2 others arrested in Kandahar province

Publish Date: May 16, 2012

14 armed insurgents killed in Badakhshan and Paktiya provinces and two others arrested in Kandahar province

As a result of conflict between Afghan National Border Police and armed insurgents in the Zazai Aryoub District of Paktiya province, last night at 01:30 am, nine armed insurgents were killed.

Also, Afghan National Police confiscated nine AK-47 assault rifles during this conflict.

In the meantime, Afghan National Border Police, Afghan National Civil Order Police and Afghan National Army launched a joint operation in the Bashin region, Argo District of Badakhshan province.

As a result of this operation, five armed insurgents were killed.

Also, during this operation, Afghan National Police discovered amount of light and heavy weapons.

Additionally, Afghan National Border Police arrested two armed insurgents with amount of weapons and 166 radio handsets in the Spin Boldak port, Kandahar province.
 
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R.I.P. - Sgt. Brian L. Walker, Pfc. Richard L. McNulty III

Sgt. Brian L. Walker, 25 (left), and Pfc. Richard L. McNulty III, 22 (right)
DOD Identifies Army Casualties
            The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            They died May 13, in Bowri Tana, Afghanistan, when the enemy attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device.  The soldiers were assigned to the 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

            Killed were:

            Sgt. Brian L. Walker, 25, of Lucerne Valley, Calif., and

            Pfc. Richard L. McNulty III, 22, Rolla, Mo.

            For more information related to this release, media may contact the U.S. Army Alaska public affairs office at 907-384-2072 or 907-384-1542.

---
from ktuu.com:


Sgt. Brian L. Walker, 25, and Pfc. Richard L. McNulty III, 22, were both military policemen assigned to the 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion (Airborne), 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division.

Walker, from Lucerne Valley, Calif., was the MRAP’s commander when it was attacked. He joined the Army in July 2007 and arrived at JBER in August 2011, serving a prior year-long Afghanistan deployment from May 2009 to May 2010.

McNulty, from Rolla, Mo., was driving the MRAP. He joined the Army in July 2010 and was assigned to JBER in February 2011.

Walker and McNulty’s next of kin have been notified.


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May 15., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces killed three insurgents and detained three suspects during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, May 15.

Kunar province
Coalition forces killed three insurgents in Darah Ye Pech district in response to small-arms fire. One Afghan National Army soldier died during the attack when his patrol vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. ANA soldiers and coalition forces also detained three suspects in Darah Ye Pech district after positively identifying two as known insurgents.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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13 al-Qaida militants, 4 soldiers killed in fighting in Yemen's south

ADEN, Yemen, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Intensive fighting occurred between government forces and al-Qaida militants Wednesday morning in Yemen's southern province of Abyan, leaving at least four soldiers and 13 terrorists killed, a government official told Xinhua.

Dozens of al-Qaida militants launched an armed attack to regain control over bastions seized by government forces in the outskirts of Lauder town, sparking hours-long fighting that left up to four soldiers and 13 terrorists killed, the local official said on condition of anonymity.

The al-Qaida militants failed to recapture two strategic sites in Jabel Yusuf area in Lauder's suburbs after encountering heavy firepower and shelling from government forces backed by pro- government tribesmen, the official said.

Under pressure from air raids, dozens of al-Qaida militants withdrew from several areas in Lauder, he added.

Elsewhere in Abyan, a commander of the army told Xinhua anonymously that "government troops are moving quickly towards al- Qaida-held town of Jaar, the second biggest town of Abyan. We are just a few miles away from Jaar."

"Military officials are also attempting to cut supplies into the al-Qaida-held sites," he added.

On Tuesday, fierce battles between the army forces and al-Qaida militants brought the death toll into 53 people killed and dozens of injures, according to local officials.

The Yemeni army has been fighting the al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) since the Yemeni and Saudi terrorist wings merged in 2009.

Al-Qaida has recently tried to tighten its grip in Yemen by exploiting the unrest and security disorders. The militants seized some towns in provinces of Abyan and Shabwa in 2011, while the army has been trying to prevent them from expanding their presence.

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12 killed, 55 injured in attacks in Iraq

BAGHDAD, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Twelve people were killed and 55 others injured Tuesday in gunfire and bomb attacks, including a suicide car bombing, across Iraq, the police said.

The deadliest attack occurred in Iraq's northern Nineveh province in the afternoon when a suicide bomber drove his explosive-laden tanker into the entrance of an Iraqi army base in al-Tanak neighborhood in western Mosul, killing up to five soldiers and an officer, a provincial police source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The powerful blast also wounded some 28 people, many of whom were soldiers, the source said.

Earlier, the source put the toll on four killed and five wounded, and said that the bomber used a car packed with explosives.

In a separate incident, a member of Mosul's municipality and one of his bodyguards were killed when gunmen attacked their car in western of the city, the source added.

Also in Mosul, a booby-trapped car detonated near a police patrol in al-Mansour district in southern of the city, wounding 9 passers-by, he said.

Mosul, some 400 km north of Baghdad, is the capital of Nineveh province which has been a stronghold for insurgent groups, including al-Qaida militants, since the U.S.-led invasion of the country in 2003.

In Iraq's northern province of Kirkuk, two members of the government-backed Awakening Council group were killed when gunmen opened fire on their car in a village near the city of Hawija, some 50 km southwest of the provincial capital city of Kirkuk, a provincial police source anonymously told Xinhua.

Two people who were accompanying the victims were also wounded by the gunfire, the source said.

The Awakening Council group, also known as Sons of Iraq movement or Sahwa, consists of mostly anti-U.S. Sunni insurgent militant groups, who turned their rifles to fight al-Qaida network after Sahwa's leaders became dismayed by al-Qaida's brutality and religious zealotry in the country.

In a separate incident, a Kurdish security member, also known as Asaish, was killed and another injured when a roadside bomb struck their patrol in al-Wasiti district in southern Kirkuk, some 250 km north of Baghdad, the source said.

The blast was followed by another roadside bomb exploded near a police vehicle which came to secure the scene of the first blast, wounding a policeman, the source added.

Also in Kirkuk, a sticky bomb attached to the car of an entrepreneur exploded outside the Technical Institute in southern of the city, wounding him along with 10 people who were close to the scene, he said.

In Iraq's northern central province of Salahudin, gunmen opened fire on the car of a farmer in the city of Sharqat, some 110 km north of the provincial capital city of Tikrit, killing him and wounding his wife, a provincial police source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Salahudin is a Sunni-dominated province. Its capital city of Tikrit, some 170 km north of Baghdad, is the hometown of former president Saddam Hussein.

In Iraq's eastern province of Diyala, gunmen wounded an off- duty policeman near his house in a village near the provincial capital city of Baquba, some 65 km northeast of Baghdad, a source from the provincial operations command told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

In a separate incident, a former leader of Sahwa was wounded when a roadside bomb went off near his car in al-Nada area, some 50 km east of Baquba, injuring him, the source said.

Violence in Iraq has ebbed from its climax in 2006 and 2007 when sectarian conflicts pushed the country to the brink of a civil war, but sporadic shootings and bombings still occur across the country.
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US drone strikes kill 7 AQAP fighters, 8 civilians in Yemen


The US launched two drone strikes today in a city in southern Yemen that is currently under the control of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Seven AQAP fighters and eight civilians are reported to have been killed in the airstrikes.

The first strike targeted "a militant hideout" in Jaar, a city in Abyan province that is currently under al Qaeda control, CNN reported. The eight civilians were killed after they attempted to recover the bodies of AQAP fighters, apparently after the unmanned US Predators or Reapers launched a second salvo of missiles into the hideout.

The second strike targeted a home in Jaar that was thought to be used as an AQAP safe house. Three AQAP leaders are said to have been killed in that strike.

Jaar, which is just north of Zinjibar, is a known stronghold for AQAP, and US drones have now hit targets in the city five times this year. The US attacked AQAP in Jaar just five days ago, and killed 8 AQAP fighters. The drones also struck twice in March. One strike targeted a a weapons storage depot on Jabal Khanfar, a hill that overlooks the city. AQAP was moving weapons, including tanks, that had been seized during raids on Yemeni Army bases outside of Zinjibar.

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/05/us_drone_strikes_kil_2.php#ixzz1v1mkgcWX
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Kenya: One Dead in Mombasa Restaurant Grenade Attack

Mombasa A woman has died after a grenade attack in the Kenyan port city of Mombasa, police said Wednesday, a day after armed men opened fire and threw explosives into into a restaurant.
"We lost one of the victims, a lady who was a security guard at the club, she died in hospital," regional police chief Aggrey Adoli said.

Three others wounded in the attack are still in hospital, one in a serious condition, following the attack by gunmen late Tuesday.

One gunman opened fire when guards at the restaurant prevented him and two accomplices from entering the Bella Vista restaurant, before the attackers hurled two grenades and fled, Adoli added.

One of the grenades exploded near the entrance to the restaurant and the other near a car parked outside.
"I was having a drink nearby and then I saw people running after a loud blast," said witness Oscar Ndambuki, speaking shortly after the attack.

The restaurant sits on one of the most popular avenues in Mombasa and is a popular gathering spot mainly for domestic tourists.

 There was no immediate information on who was behind the attack.
Since Kenya sent tanks and troops into Somalia late last year, a whole series of grenade attacks and explosions have taken place, both in Nairobi and in northern towns and camps housing Somali refugees close to the border.

Targets have ranged from police vehicles to local bars to churches. The Kenyan authorities often blame such attacks on Somalia's Al Qaeda-affiliated Al Shabaab rebels.

Last month the hardline Shabaab warned Kenya of retribution and revenge attacks for joining the African Union force battling the insurgents.

Earlier on Tuesday, a policeman was killed and two others seriously wounded when a landmine exploded beneath their vehicle as they escorted aid workers near the sprawling Dadaab refugee camp in northern Kenya.

from allAfrica
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18 armed insurgents killed and 3 others arrested by ANP

Publish Date: May 16, 2012
18 armed insurgents killed and three others arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:
During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched 17 joint clearance operations in Kabul, Nangarhar, Kunduz, Helmand, Nimroz, Uruzgan, Logar, Paktiya and Paktika provinces.

As a result of these operations, 18 armed insurgents were killed and three others were arrested by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated three mortar rounds, eight rocket launchers, three PKM machine guns, nine different types of weapons, 33 heavy rounds, 20 different types of mines, seven hand grenades, 1060 kilograms of opium, 44 kilograms of explosive materials and 410 kilograms of ammonium nitrate.

Additionally, a suicide bomber was identified and killed by Afghan National Police before reaching to his target in the Zhirie District of Kandahar province, yesterday.

During the same 24 hour period, Afghan National Police discovered and defused eight different types of mines and 37 heavy rounds as a result of security operations in Khost, Baghlan, Balkh, Kandahar and Ghor provinces.

Mines and Improvised Explosive Devices planted by insurgents are the number one killer of innocent civilians in Afghanistan.
 
Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained two individuals accused of land seizing and poisoning in the Mosahi and Chahar Asiab Districts of Kabul-province.
Working together, we can defeat criminals and create a safer more prosperous future.
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Karachi: One killed, seven injured in grenade attack in Qaidabad


KARACHI: Unknown miscreants hurled hand grenades at a local restaurant in Qaidabad area of the metropolis that killed one man and injured seven others on Wednesday, Geo News reported.

According to police sources, unidentified men attacked a hotel in Qaidabad with hand grenades and fled from the scene. The attack killed one person and wounded seven others including a child.

A nearby hotel was also damaged in the attack, police told.

from GEO

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NATO airstrike kills 9 insurgents in Paktiya

BAGRAM (PAN):  Nine insurgents involved in planting an improvised explosive device (IED) were killed by Afghan National Security (ANSF) and NATO forces during an operation in Jaji district in Paktiya province.

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed in a statement that the nine insurgents were killed and their remains handed over to local authorities.

The exact date of the strike was not mentioned.
“The insurgents were armed and were observed by partnered forces
emplanting an improvised explosive device. They engaged NATO forces with direct fire.

“ANSF and NATO Forces responded, killing all observed hostile suspects. No ANSF or ISAF forces were harmed in the operation,” added the statement.
The engagement is part of a larger operation launched by ANSF two days ago to destroy Taliban hideouts in the district.
Azad Khan, Governor of Jaji district, said that the operation would
continue until the area was free from Taliban threats.

from Pajhwok
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Taliban leader arrested in Nad-e-Ali district

According to a statement released by NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban leader during an operation in Nad ‘Ali district, Helmand province.

The leader plans and directs roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces in central Helmand. Earlier this month, the leader was responsible for an attack on an Afghan Army checkpoint in Marjeh that resulted in the deaths of several Afghan Soldiers.

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

The statement further added, Afghan and coalition security force conducted a mission to close suspected narcotics labs in Baghran district, Helmand province, Monday. While executing Afghan search warrants on multiple compounds the force was engaged by multiple insurgents.

At least three insurgents were killed after Afghan and coalition security forces to the fire of the insurgents, ISAF said adding that a subsequent search of the compounds recovered improvised explosive device components, weapons and narcotics production equipment including more than 11,000 pounds (5,000 kilograms) of morphine waste, 880 pounds (400 kilograms) of ammonium chloride, 880 pounds (400 kilograms) of morphine base and 1,057 gallons (4,000 liters) of liquid morphine. All of the materials were destroyed on-site without incident.

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

from KHAAMA
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Insurgents killed in airstrike while emplanting IED

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security and NATO forces killed several insurgents, after being engaged with small arms fire during an operation in the Jaji district of Paktiya province overnight.

The engagement is part of a larger operation launched by Afghan National Security Forces May 14, 2012 to destroy Taliban hideouts in the district.

Azad Khan, governor of Jaji district, said that the operation will continue until the area has been cleared from the presence of Taliban.

The insurgents were armed and were observed by partnered forces emplanting an improvised explosive device. They engaged NATO forces with direct fire. ANSF and NATO forces responded, killing all observed hostile suspects. No ANSF or ISAF forces were harmed in the operation.

The forces on the ground confirm nine insurgents were killed.

The remains were handed over to local authorities.

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May 16., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan (May 16) — An Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban leader during an operation in Nad ‘Ali district, Helmand province, today.
The leader plans and directs roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces in central Helmand. Earlier this month, the leader was responsible for an attack on an Afghan Army checkpoint in Marjeh that resulted in the deaths of several Afghan Soldiers.

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

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

In Khanabad district, Kunduz province, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to detain a senior Taliban leader, today. The leader plans and organizes roadside bombings, suicide attacks and other operations against Afghan and coalition troops throughout the district. He also uses intimidation against civilians who support the government of Afghanistan and recently attempted to halt the construction of a bridge in the district by threatening Afghan workers. Multiple suspected insurgents were detained during the operation.

South

Finally, a combined Afghan and coalition security force conducted a mission to close suspected narcotics labs in Baghran district, Helmand province, Monday. While executing Afghan search warrants on multiple compounds the force was engaged by multiple insurgents. The force returned fire, killing the insurgent attackers. A subsequent search of the compounds recovered improvised explosive device components, weapons and narcotics production equipment including more than 11,000 pounds (5,000 kilograms) of morphine waste, 880 pounds (400 kilograms) of ammonium chloride, 880 pounds (400 kilograms) of morphine base and 1,057 gallons (4,000 liters) of liquid morphine. All of the materials were destroyed on-site without incident.
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R.I.P. - Corporal Brent John McCarthy, Lance Corporal Lee Thomas Davies

Corporal Brent John McCarthy, Royal Air Force, and Lance Corporal Lee Thomas Davies, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards
[Pictures: via MOD]
It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Corporal Brent John McCarthy, from the Royal Air Force, and Lance Corporal Lee Thomas Davies, from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, were killed in Afghanistan on Saturday 12 May 2012.

Corporal McCarthy and Lance Corporal Davies were killed by small arms fire while deployed as part of a Police Advisory Team to attend a meeting at the local Afghan Uniform Police headquarters near Patrol Base Attal in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand province.

Their commanding officer was attending the meeting while Corporal McCarthy and Lance Corporal Davies and the remainder of the team were providing security.

The Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond, said:
“I send out my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of Corporal Brent McCarthy and Lance Corporal Lee Davies whose lives were cut tragically short by a cowardly act of aggression.
“Both servicemen were performing an invaluable role, training and mentoring Afghan police, helping to ensure that Afghanistan will never again be a place from which international terrorists can launch attacks on our society. Their sacrifice will not be in vain and we will never forget them.”

Continues at: Corporal Brent John McCarthy and Lance Corporal Lee Thomas Davies killed in Afghanistan
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