Tuesday, August 28, 2012

14 Taliban militants give up fighting in northern Afghan town

(file photo)
MAZAR-E-SHARIF, Afghanistan, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- More than a dozen Taliban fighters gave up fighting and resumed normal life in Balkh province 305 km north of capital city Kabul on Tuesday.

"Fourteen of our dissident brothers gave up fighting and handed over their weapons to police in Charbolak district today," provincial police chief Mohammad Salim Ahsas said, while welcoming the former fighters in a ceremony held there.

These former fighters were active in Charbolak district and adjoining areas for the past couple of years and with their joining the peace process, the security will be further improved in the area, he added.

Taliban militants fighting the government are yet to comment.

More than 3,500 Taliban militants, according to officials, have joined the government-backed peace process in Afghanistan since early this year, a claim rebuffed by Taliban as baseless.

from XINHUA
2012-08-28 18:58:53

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Al Qaeda denies Maghreb commander killed in clashes

LONDON (Reuters) - Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a founder of al Qaeda's North African offshoot, is alive and leading military operations, an associate said on Tuesday, denying a report that the Algerian had been killed in clashes in Mali in late June.

Nicknamed the "uncatchable", Belmokhtar is believed to be linked to the kidnappings of foreigners that have taken place in remote areas of Africa's Sahel region in recent years.

He has been sentenced by an Algerian court to life imprisonment in absentia in connection with the killing of 10 Algerian customs agents in 2007.

Regional and Western governments fear that desert northern Mali could become the next launchpad for international Islamist attacks, as Afghanistan was more than a decade ago, and efforts are under way to organise a joint intervention force.

Ennahar TV, a private Algerian channel, quoted unidentified sources on June 28 as confirming Belmokhtar's death in armed clashes in the town of Gao.

But Oumar Ould Hamaha, a colleague of Belmokhtar's reached by telephone, said Belmokhtar was in good health.

"He is alive and fine, he is with us and he is moving around," Ould Hamaha said. "He is leading operations."

There was no independent corroboration of Ould Hamaha's comments, but a European official who follows North African armed groups said in early July that the Algerian television report was not regarded as reliable.

Belmokhtar heads one of two AQIM battalions in Algeria's southern desert bordering Mali.

The situation in northern Mali is chaotic after months of tension between the secular Tuareg-led National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and better-armed local Islamists who helped it take control of the northern two-thirds of Mali in April but whose goal is to impose Islamic law.

Ennahar had said Belmokhtar was believed to have died during a battle in which at least 20 people were killed on June 27 in the north Mali town of Gao, where the Islamists had seized the MNLA headquarters, the source said. The Islamists have since declared they are in control of northern Mali.

from REUTERS
Tue Aug 28, 2012 11:11am GMT

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Pak Taliban planning prison break in Faisalabad, says intelligence report

Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan
Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants are planning an attack on the Central Jail Faisalabad to release their imprisoned high-profile accomplices, intelligence reports have revealed.

According to intelligence reports, the Taliban also plan to abduct Tariq Mahmood Khan Babar, the jail's superintendent, in order to carry out the jailbreak plan, reports The Express Tribune.

Inspector General of Prisons (IGP), Punjab, Farooq Nazeer, said foolproof security measures were being put in place to foil any terrorist bid to secure the release of their accomplices.

In the light of immediate security concerns, the jail authorities have conducted thorough search operations and recovered 2,000 mobile phones from the prisoners. At least 65 jailers have been suspended on grounds of negligence in performing their duties.

Currently, more than 300 high-profile terrorists are incarcerated at nine central jails in the province, amounting to 90 percent of all high-profile prisoners imprisoned across the country.

In order to ensure security at prisons and in light of the Bannu jailbreak earlier in the year, the Punjab Home Department had requested the Interior Ministry to ensure deployment of Rangers at all nine central jails.

Additionally, IG police has revealed that Punjab government has allocated Rs 200 million for installation of jammers at central jails in the province. Three central jails are expected to have operational jammers by the end of the month to cope with emerging threats in the province.

Also, in an attempt to equip jail staff to deal with terrorist threats, the first batch of 100 jail staffers will be joining Elite Commando Training Course on September 1. (ANI)

from ANI
Tuesday 28th August, 2012

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Suicide bomber targets funeral ceremony in Ghazni

According to local authorities in eastern Ghazni province of Afghanistan, a suicide bomber attacked a funeral ceremony in eastern Ghazni city on Tuesday.

The incident took place after a suicide bomber detonated his explosives during a burial ceremony of the father of a provincial intelligence official.

Provincial security chief Gen. Mohammad Hussain confirming the report only the suicide bomber was killed and there were no reports of fatalities to civilians and participants of the funeral.

Gen. Hussain further added the explosion was followed by gun battle between the assailant militants and Afghan security forces. The militants fled the area later on.

In the meantime an eyewitness said an Afghan security official and an Afghan civilian were injured following the incident.

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

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - Tue Aug 28, 12:11 pm

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Four Civilians Dead, Police Chief Hurt in Afghan Bombing

Districts of Kandahar. Panjwai is shown in dar...
Districts of Kandahar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Kabul , Aug. 28 (BNA) - Four civilians were killed Tuesday in a truck bombing in southern Afghanistan that targeted a provincial police chief, an official said. police chief, Abdul Razeq, was injured along with 20 civilians when a suicide attacker detonated an explosives-filled truck near Razeq's car in Kandahar, capital of Kandahar province, provincial spokesman Javed Faisal said. The blast took place in a residential area and blew out the windows of houses, the spokesman said.

The casualties, who included women and children, were injured inside their houses, Faisal said, adding that the police chief was taken to hospital. The Taliban movement confirmed the attack but said the bombing was not a suicide attack. Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi claimed the explosion injured Razeq, five other police officers and five civilians. He denied that civilians had been killed and said the bombing did not take place in a residential area.


from BAHRAIN NEWS
10 : 18 AM - 28/08/2012

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Aug. 28., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani leader and improvised explosive device specialist during an operation in Zurmat district, Paktiya province, today.

The Haqqani IED specialist is responsible for numerous attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, including recent attacks against Afghan forces in Zurmat.

During the operation, the security force also detained three suspected insurgents.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and improvised explosive device specialist in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, today. The leader planned and directed IED attacks, and had also acquired suicide vests for attacks on Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also detained one suspected insurgent during the operation.

An Afghan and coalition security force detained multiple suspected insurgents during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in Zharay district, Kandahar province, today. The Taliban leader directs attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Zharay and Panjwa’i districts.

East

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani weapons supplier during an operation in Pul-e ‘Alam, Logar province, today. The weapons supplier acquired weapons and improvised explosive devices for Haqqani fighters throughout the province. In the days leading to his arrest, the weapons supplier provided funds, weapons and equipment to Haqqani fighters for an upcoming attack. The security force also detained one suspected insurgent during the operation.

A coalition security force conducted an operation in Khoshi district, Logar province, Aug. 26. During the operation, the security force discovered a weapons cache that included 136 mortar rounds and 23 rockets. The cache was destroyed on site.

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Aug. 28., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces detained 17 insurgents and cleared five improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Aug. 27.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared an improvised explosive device in Dehyak district.

Khowst province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces detained 17 insurgents during engagements in Khowst, Gurbuz and Nadir Shah Kot districts. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Paktika province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared two improvised explosive devices, one in Jani Khel district and one in Sar Rowzah district.

Paktiya province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an improvised explosive device in Zurmat district.

Wardak province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared an improvised explosive device in Nerkh district.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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Haqqani leader and IED specialist arrested in Paktiya

NATO-led International Security Assistance Force following a statement on Tuesday announced, Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani leader and improvised explosive device specialist during an operation in Zurmat district, Paktiya province, today.

The Haqqani IED specialist is responsible for numerous attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, including recent attacks against Afghan forces in Zurmat.

During the operation, the security force also detained three suspected insurgents.

The source further added, Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and improvised explosive device specialist in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, today. The leader planned and directed IED attacks, and had also acquired suicide vests for attacks on Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also detained one suspected insurgent during the operation.

In a separate operation, Afghan and coalition security force detained multiple suspected insurgents during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in Zharay district, Kandahar province today, ISAF said following the statement adding that the Taliban leader directs attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Zharay and Panjwa’i districts.

ISAF also said, Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani weapons supplier during an operation in Pul-e ‘Alam, Logar province, today. The weapons supplier acquired weapons and improvised explosive devices for Haqqani fighters throughout the province. In the days leading to his arrest, the weapons supplier provided funds, weapons and equipment to Haqqani fighters for an upcoming attack. The security force also detained one suspected insurgent during the operation.

A coalition security force conducted an operation in Khoshi district, Logar province, Aug. 26. During the operation, the security force discovered a weapons cache that included 136 mortar rounds and 23 rockets. The cache was destroyed on site.

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

from KHAAMA
By Sadaf Shinwari - Tue Aug 28, 11:30 am

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2 US Soldiers Die in Alleged Accidental Shooting?


"
Then on Monday morning, two American soldiers were shot and killed by one of their Afghan colleagues in the east, military officials said, bringing to 12 the number of international troops -- all Americans -- to die at the hands of their local allies this month.
But Afghan officials said Monday's attack in Laghman province was a separate case from the rash of recent insider attacks on international forces, because it appeared to have been an accidental shooting.
When the group of U.S. and Afghan soldiers came under attack, they returned fire and ran to take up fighting positions, said Noman Hatefi, a spokesman for the Afghan army corps in eastern Afghanistan. But an Afghan soldier fell and accidentally discharged his weapon, killing two American soldiers with the errant rounds, he said.
"He didn't do this intentionally. But then the commander of the unit started shouting at him, `What did you do? You killed two NATO soldiers!' And so he threw down his weapon and started to run," Hatefi added. The U.S. troops had already called in air support to help with the insurgent attack and the aircraft fired on the escaping Afghan soldier from above, killing him, Hatefi said."

from military.com
by Heidi Vogt and Mirwais Khan
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6 killed in latest violence in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- A total of six people were killed and 11 other wounded Monday in separate gunfire and bomb attacks in Iraq, the police said.

The Brigadier General Abdul Mohsen Khazal was shot dead by gunmen with silenced weapons in Taji, some 20 km north of Baghdad, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

In Iraq's northern province of Nineveh, two roadside bombs detonated successively near a police patrol in southeastern the provincial capital city of Mosul, some 400 km north of Baghdad, killing two passers-by and injuring three others, a provincial police source told Xinhua.

On the same day, a suicide bomber drove his explosive-laden car into the convoy of Mohammed Ahmed Suliman, a police lieutenant colonel, in the town of Tal Afar, some 70 km west of Mosul, killing one civilian and injuring Suliman and two of his bodyguards, the source said.

In Anbar province, a roadside bomb exploded near a police vehicle in the city of Haditha, killing a civilian and wounding four policemen, a local police source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, in Iraq's eastern province of Diyala, a civilian was killed and another injured when a home-made bomb went off near their house, a local police source told Xinhua, adding that the security forces have arrested seven suspects, including three wanted individuals.

Violence and sporadic high-profile bomb attacks are still common in Iraqi cities despite the dramatic decrease in violence since its peak in 2006 and 2007 when the country was engulfed in sectarian killings.


from XINHUA
2012-08-28 00:22:44

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Nigeria: JTF Rescues 27 Kidnapped Oil Workers in Bakassi

Bakassi
Bakassi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Calabar The Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy in collaboration with the Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield, in Calabar, Cross River State, at the weekend rescued 27 oil workers who were kidnapped in Bakassi.

A militant gang, Lactop Marine Force, in Bakassi, kidnapped 27 workers of a private oil company, Sinopec, at Ikang near the Bakassi Local Government headquarters.

It was gathered that following the incident, the JTF launched a raid on the hideout of the militants.

Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Olufemi Ogunjimi, confirmed the JTF raid and described the militant group as criminals, who had nothing to do with the group agitating for the reclaiming of Bakassi, which was ceded to Cameroon by the International Court of Justice. He said Lactop, the leader of the gang, is a criminal who runs a criminal gang which kidnaps for ransom, engages in piracy, sea robbery and killing of innocent people including uniform personnel.

Commander of JTF, Major General Johnson Ochoga, said they have been working hard to flush out the gang in the past three days, and that the militant group was given an opportunity to come out and denounce their criminal activities, but they did not embrace the opportunity before the JTF closed in on them.

Also speaking, the Commander of 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Calabar, Brigadier General Shehu Yusuf, said no life was lost in the operation, and that the military has given Lactop an opportunity to come out. He maintained that if he surrenders himself willingly, nothing would happen to him.


from allAfrica / DailyTrust
By Eyo Charles, 27 August 2012

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A.U., Somali troops seize port of Marka from Islamists

African Union and Somali troops captured the key port of Marka from al-Qaeda-linked Shebab insurgents on Monday, the latest in a string of bases to be wrested from the extremists, officials said.

“We have taken Marka, we entered alongside the Somali government forces this morning,” said Colonel Ali Houmed, the spokesman for the African Union mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

“There was some fighting, but not so heavy, most of the Shebab had fled.”

The loss of Marka, some 70 kilometers (45 miles) south of the capital Mogadishu, is another major blow for the insurgents, who have been on the back foot for several months.

A.U. and Somali troops have made significant gains in recent months against the Shebab, although the Islamists remain a major security threat. Ethiopian troops are also battling the militants from the south and west.

The loss of Marka leaves the Shebab with two major ports in southern Somalia -- Barawe and the key rebel bastion of Kismayo -- although an international naval blockade has already greatly squeezed maritime access there.

The Shebab abandoned their last fixed bases in Mogadishu a year ago, where they have since reverted to guerrilla tactics, claiming a series of suicide attacks and roadside bombs.

The latest defeat for the Shebab comes as candidates for Somalia’s powerful position of parliamentary speaker campaign a day ahead of the expected vote, a key step in setting up a new government for the war-torn nation.

Somalia has not had a stable central government since the 1991 ouster of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre, which sparked rounds of bloody civil war.

The United Nations-backed process, which has already selected the majority of a new parliament and will culminate in a vote for president, is the latest bid to end two decades of instability in the Horn of Africa nation.

“We are facilitating the timely implementation of this important political step,” the U.N. political office for Somalia (UNPOS) said Monday, adding it was hopeful the already-delayed vote would go ahead on Tuesday as planned.

Secret ballots in parliament for the posts of speaker and two deputy speakers have been delayed several times.

Bitter arguments have begun between challengers for the top jobs, divided along Somalia’s notoriously fractious clan lines.

Six candidates are running for the post of speaker, including two former prime ministers, Hassan Abshir Farah and Ali Khalif Galayr, both from the Darod clan and the northern semi-autonomous Puntland region.

Mohamed Osman Jawari, a former minister under the regime of Siad Barre, from the Rahanweyn clan from the southern Baidoa region, is also running for the post.

The selection of speaker will impact the subsequent parliamentary vote for president, as Somali politics have traditionally tried to share out the seats between rival clans.

Around 260 of the new parliament’s 275 members have been selected by a group of 135 traditional elders under the U.N.-backed process. Most were sworn into office last week on the tarmac of the capital’s airport, protected by A.U. troops.


from AL ARABIYA
Last Updated: Mon Aug 27, 2012 19:16 pm (KSA) 16:16 pm (GMT)

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