Thursday, October 4, 2012

More than 70 Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan within day

KABUL, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- Up to 70 Taliban militants have been killed in military operations and direct fighting with security forces in different Afghan provinces within a 24-hour period of time, authorities said on Thursday.

"Afghan National Police (ANP), Afghan army and the NDS or Afghan intelligence agency in collaboration with the NATO-led coalition forces launched 13 joint cleanup operations in Kabul, Laghman, Baghlan, Kunduz, Badakhshan, Sari Pul and Kandahar provinces, killing 27 armed Taliban, wounding eight armed militants over the past 24 hours," the Afghan Interior Ministry said in a statement earlier Thursday.

The ANP also detained eight other suspected Taliban militants during the above raids, the statement said, adding "the ANP also found and seized one rocket launcher, one PK-M machine gun, eight different types of weapons, one radio handset, 22 heavy rounds, 13 different types of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and 11 motorcycles used by the militants in the operations."

The counter-insurgency operations, aiming to dismantle the insurgency's mid-level command structure and its supply line, have been stepped up in the country particularly since early May this year when Taliban launched an annual rebel offensive to target security forces.

In separate development, up to 30 militants were killed during clashes in the country's eastern province of Paktika, some 155 km south of capital city of Kabul overnight, the provincial government said in a statement earlier Thursday.

"The Afghan Local Police (ALP) repelled an insurgent attack against an ALP checkpoint in Markozo area of Sar Hawza district at around 2:00 a.m. local time Thursday forcing dozens of militants to flee the area and leaving 30 dead behind," the statement said, adding the ALP has also found 26 militants' dead bodies and would hand them to ANP later in the day besides finding weapons and ammunitions on the ground.

A Taliban commander Mullah Sayed Noor is believed to be killed in the fighting which lasted for more than an hour, it said.

The NATO and U.S.-funded ALP or community police was established in August 2010 to protect villages and districts around the insurgency-hit country where Afghan army and police have limited presence.

In addition, a total of 15 Taliban militants were killed by NATO-led forces' helicopters in the country's southern province of Kandahar Wedmesday, the provincial government said in a statement Thursday.

"The ALP security forces were manning a checkpoint in Tangi area of Shah Wali Kot district Wednesday night when they found more than 30 armed militants approaching their post to launch an attack and they called in an airpower support," the statement said, adding as the helicopters with the NATO-led coalition arrived the militants fled the area but 15 militants were killed in the airstrike.

A search operation was launched to arrest the fled militants who took shelter in a populated area and the gardens around the vicinity in the province 450 km south of Kabul.

The security force found and seized 10 AK-47 guns, a PK-M machine gun, a RPG-rocket and several hand grenades, according to the statement.

It said no ALP service man or civilian were harmed in the airstrike.

Meanwhile, another setback for the Taliban insurgent group was the loss of five local leaders and commanders in eastern Wardak province in a six day operation ending on Wednesday.

"Dozens of Afghan soldiers and police, supported by coalition special operations forces, concluded a six-day operation against insurgent networks in the Chak district, Wardak province yesterday, " the NATO-led coalition said in a press release earlier Thursday.

"More than 30 insurgents were killed by Afghan Commandos, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, and coalition forces, who participated in the operation," the ISAF release said, adding that coalition officials have confirmed five of the insurgents who were killed were high level Taliban commanders operating in the area in the province 35 km west of Kabul.

The dead Taliban leaders named Ahmad Shah, Mullah Malang, Zubair, Rasul Jan and Wahdat.

The Taliban insurgents, who have been waging more than a decade- long insurgency, launched an annual spring offensive starting from May 3 to target Afghan forces as well as U.S. and NATO troops across the country.

The Taliban has warned the civilians to stay away from official gatherings, military convoys and centers regarded as the legitimate targets by militants besides warning people against supporting government and foreign troops.

The Taliban insurgent group has yet to confirm the death of the insurgent commanders and fighters.

from XINHUA
2012-10-04 20:08:16
by Farid Behbud, Chen Xin

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Four Nigerian peacekeepers killed in Sudan's Darfur

English: Map of Darfur within Sudan, July 2011.
English: Map of Darfur within Sudan, July 2011. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Four Nigerian peacekeepers were killed and eight wounded in an ambush in Sudan's western Darfur region, the international peacekeeper force UNAMID said on Wednesday.

"They were killed last night some 2 km (1.2 miles) from our regional headquarters in El Geneina. They came under fire from all sides," a spokesman for UNAMID said.

UNAMID, the world's largest peacekeeping mission, was deployed by the United Nations and the African Union in the arid western territory after fierce fighting in 2003 which forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes.

A total of 42 peacekeepers have been killed since UNAMID was set up, according to the force.

Violence in Darfur, where mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms against the government in Khartoum, has ebbed from a 2003-04 peak but international efforts to broker peace have failed to end the conflict.

The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and other officials to face charges of masterminding atrocities in the region where Sudanese troops and allied Arab militias have sought to crush the rebellion.

Estimates of the death count vary widely.

Sudan's government signed a Qatar-sponsored peace deal with an umbrella organisation of smaller rebel groups last year, but the major factions refused to join.

from REUTERS
Wed Oct 3, 2012 2:48pm GMT

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Al Nusrah Front claims 2 suicide, 2 car bombings in Aleppo


Aleppo-suicide-blasts-03102012.jpg
The Al Nusrah Front for the People of the Levant, an al Qaeda-linked jihadist group that is fighting Bashir al Assad's regime in Syria, has claimed credit for four bombings in Aleppo today, including two suicide attacks, that killed more than 50 people. The terror group has now claimed credit for 26 of the 33 suicide attacks that have taken place in Syria since December 2011.

The terror group released a statement today on jihadist Internet forums that claimed credit for the four deadly attacks. The statement was obtained and translated by the SITE Intelligence Group.

Al Nusrah said it hit four targets, including two hotels, an "Officers' Club building," and a "Municipal Palace." The targets were selected for their military value, according to Al Nusrah. The Officers' Club was described as "one of the most important and biggest centers" for the Syrian military and the paramilitary shabiha. A "tourist hotel" right next to the Officers' Club was being used "as a command headquarters for military operations inside the city of Aleppo" and is located in a "security zone." The Municipal Palace was "turned it into a military barracks" and was used as a sniper nest for regime marksmen. And the Al-Amir Hotel was used by the military as "as a sleeper headquarters for its elements" as well as a a sniper nest.

Al Nusrah said that the first attack hit the Officer's Club at 7:45 a.m. and was executed by a suicide bomber known as Abu Hamza al Shami.

The second attack, which took place two minutes later, targeted the tourist hotel next to the Officer's Club and was also carried out by a suicide bomber, who was known as Abu Suleiman al Shami. The blast was followed up by a suicide assault. Al Nusrah sent in a three-man team "camouflaged in military uniforms" to battle with the surviving Syrian forces. The group identified the members of the suicide assault team as Abu Anas al Shami, Abu Hafs al Shami, and Abu Dujana al Shami.

The third attack, which occurred at 8:05 a.m., consisted of a remotely detonated car bomb that hit the entrance of the Municipal Palace. Twenty-five minutes later, Al Nusrah detonated an explosives-laden car that was parked outside Al-Amir Hotel.

The Syrian Arab News Agency, or SANA, a news organ of the Syrian Ministry of Information, confirmed that four blasts took place, and claimed that 34 people were killed and 114 were wounded. Other reports indicate that more than 50 people were killed in the attacks. SANA claimed that three of the four blasts were carried out by suicide bombers, and their timeline of the attack roughly matches that of the Al Nusrah account.

SANA released photographs of the aftermath of the attacks which detail the devastation. The facades of buildings are shorn off, a massive crater is seen at the site of one of the blasts, rubble is strewn through the streets. The bodies of the three members of the suicide assault team are also shown.

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/10/al_nusrah_front_clai_6.php#ixzz28LNxLwlp
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27 Armed Taliban Killed, 6 Wounded and 8 Arrested by ANP (04.Oct.2012.)



Publish Date: Oct 04, 2012
27 Armed Taliban Killed, Six Wounded and Eight Arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:
During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched 13 joint clearance operations in Kabul, Laghman, Baghlan, Kunduz, Badakhshan, Sar-e-Pul and Kandahar provinces.

As a result of these operations, 27 armed Taliban were killed, six wounded and eight others were arrested by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated one rocket launcher, one PKM machine gun, eight different types of weapons, one radio handset, 22 heavy rounds, 13 different types of mines and 11 motorcycles.

In the meantime, one mine planter was killed by their own explosives while he was planting an anti-vehicle mine in the main road of Sarkano District of Kunar province, yesterday.

Additionally, Afghan National Police discovered and defused two anti-vehicle mines as a result of security operations in the Shindand and Rubat Sangi Districts of Herat province, yesterday.
 
Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained nine individuals accused of seizing government property, trafficking and assault in the Bagrami, Shakar Dara and 16th Districts of Kabul-City.
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Turkey hits targets inside Syria after border deaths

Turkish artillery has renewed firing at targets in Syria after shells from across the border on Wednesday killed five Turkish nationals.

Several Syrian troops were killed by Turkish fire, activists from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Turkey's border town of Akcakale was shelled, apparently by Syrian government forces, on Wednesday, killing a woman and three children.

The UN Security Council is due to meet later to condemn Syria's actions.

Ankara's response marks the first time it has fired into Syria during the 18-month-long unrest there.

Turkey also asked the UN Security Council to take "necessary action" to stop Syrian "aggression".

Meanwhile, Nato envoys held an urgent meeting in Brussels at the request of Turkey, who is a member of the military alliance.

The bloc issued a statement saying it "continues to stand by Turkey and demands the immediate cessation of such aggressive acts against an ally, and urges the Syrian regime to put an end to flagrant violations of international law".

The government in Ankara is expected to ask parliament shortly to authorise cross-border military operations in Syria, Turkish media report.

The Turkish armed forces have in the past moved into northern Iraq in pursuit of Kurdish militants who had bases there.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-19822253

from BBC
4 October 2012 Last updated at 07:57 GMT

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Drone strikes target al-Qaida hideouts in SE Yemen, kill 4 militants

ADEN, Yemen, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- Suspected al-Qaida fighters in southeastern Yemen were targeted in two U.S. drone strikes on Thursday, leaving at least four insurgents dead, a security official told Xinhua.

The U.S. drone strikes hit al-Qaida-held positions in the desert area of al-Saeed in the restive southeastern province of Shabwa, killing at least four insurgents and injuring five others, the local security official said, requesting anonymity.

"The air strikes targeted al-Qaida-held sites successfully... U. S. drones were behind Thursday's air bombing," the security official said.

"Two travelling vehicles were also pounded leaving all passengers inside killed and several others injured," he added.

Local residents in the area told Xinhua the strikes launched by unmanned U.S. drones were aimed at a gathering of the al-Qaida terrorist group in the region.

Huge black smoke could still be seen hours after the strike and the military aircraft roam the skies of the province around the clock, according to the residents.

Witnesses near the scene said two warplanes flew over the area and explosions could be heard. Others said they saw military helicopters chasing vehicles out of al-Saeed area and heard rocket fire.

Yemeni security authorities usually accuse militants of the Yemen-based al-Qaida offshoot of being behind armed attacks against military officials and army bases.

Attacks and raids have continued since the country's political turmoil last year, when scores of al-Qaida militants took control of some areas in the restive south but were later pushed out by a U.S.-backed offensive.

The United States used its drones to support the Yemeni military campaign aimed at crushing al-Qaida operations in the impoverished Arab country.

from XINHUA
2012-10-04 17:29:01

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Oct. 04., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – Dozens of Afghan soldiers and police, supported by coalition special operations forces, concluded a six-day operation against insurgent networks in the Chak district, Wardak province yesterday.

More than 30 insurgents were killed by Afghan commandos, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, and coalition forces, who participated in the operation.

Coalition officials have confirmed five of the insurgents who were killed were high level Taliban commanders who operated in the area.

• Ahmad Shah, was a Taliban leader who was directly involved in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Chak-e Wardak district.

• Mullah Malang was a Taliban leader and improvised explosive device expert who controlled an insurgent cell that conducted attacks against Afghan National Security Forces' outposts and patrols.

• Zubair was a Taliban leader who provided logistical support to the insurgency and carrying out attacks against coalition forces.

• Rasul Jan was a Taliban cell leader who led 30 - 40 insurgents and specialized in IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

• Wahdat was a Taliban leader who led a cell of insurgents and was known to have coordinated attacks in the province.

Almost three dozen suspected insurgents were detained during the operation.

One Afghan soldier was killed during the operation and one civilian was injured by insurgent small-arms fire. Members of the combined force provided immediate assistance and transported the victim to a medical facility for further treatment.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

An Afghan and coalition security force detained two suspected insurgents during a security operation in search of a Taliban senior leader in Washer district, Helmand province, today. The Taliban leader is suspected of coordinating the movement of Taliban fighters and weapons within northern Helmand province. The security force also seized two pounds of illegal narcotics and one assault-style weapon as a result of the operation.

An Afghan and coalition security force detained one suspected insurgent during an operation in search of a Taliban leader in Nad ‘Ali district, Helmand province, today. The Taliban leader is believed to report directly to senior Taliban leaders within Helmand province and aids in the coordination of Taliban efforts against Afghan and coalition forces.

East

An Afghan-led security force, supported by coalition troops, arrested a Haqqani facilitator in Tsamkani, Paktiya province, today. The Haqqani facilitator was arrested for allegedly financing and procuring weapons to support the Haqqani insurgent network, for managing and recruiting suicide attackers, and for participating in attack planning against Afghan and coalition forces. The facilitator was also believed to have coordinated shipments of heavy machine-guns, anti-aircraft ammunition and explosives to support the insurgency. The security force apprehended one additional suspected insurgent and seized multiple firearms along with remote-controlled improvised explosive device materials as a result of the operation.

An Afghan and coalition security force detained one suspected insurgent during an operation in search of a Haqqani leader in Pul-e ‘Alam district, Logar province, today. The Haqqani leader is suspected of facilitating the purchase and movement of weapons and supplies for Haqqani insurgents to use against Afghan and coalition forces.

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban facilitator and improvised explosive device manufacturer in Gelan district, Ghazni province, today. The facilitator is suspected of procuring and distributing explosives, mortars, and IED-building materials throughout the region. He is also believed to have conducted IED attacks against Afghan and coalition assets. During the operation, the security force also detained two suspected insurgents.

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Oct. 04., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces detained two insurgents and cleared four improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Oct. 3.

Kunar province
Afghan National Army soldiers found and safely cleared an IED in Watahpur district.

An insurgent injured himself when his IED detonated prematurely in Sar Kani district. Afghan Uniformed Police provided the insurgent with medical care and then transferred him to a base for questioning.

Paktya province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared two IEDs in Zurmat district.

Khowst province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces detained an insurgent during an engagement in Parwan district. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Wardak province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Sayyidabad district.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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Navy to Commission Guided-Missile Destroyer Michael Murphy

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 796-12
October 03, 2012




Navy to Commission Guided-Missile Destroyer Michael Murphy

            The Navy will commission the newest guided-missile destroyer, Michael Murphy (DDG 112), Oct. 6, during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony at Pier 88 in Manhattan, N.Y.
            The newest destroyer honors Navy SEAL (Sea, Air, Land) Lt. Michael P. Murphy, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan June 28, 2005.
            Murphy led a four-man team tasked with finding a key Taliban leader in the mountainous terrain near Asadabad, Afghanistan, when they came under fire from a much larger enemy force with superior tactical position.  Mortally wounded while exposing himself to enemy fire, Murphy knowingly left his position of cover to get a clear signal in order to communicate with his headquarters.  While being shot at repeatedly, Murphy calmly provided his unit’s location and requested immediate support for his element.  He returned to his cover position to continue the fight until finally succumbing to wounds.
            Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus will deliver the ceremony's principal address.  Maureen Murphy will serve as sponsor of the ship named for her late son.  The ceremony will be highlighted by a time-honored Navy tradition when she gives the first order to “man our ship and bring her to life!”
            “This ship honors the courage, service and sacrifice of Lt. Michael Murphy, his Red Wings brothers, fellow SEALs, special operators and service members around the world who answer the call of duty every day,” said Mabus.  “It is absolutely fitting that the USS Michael Murphy bears a SEAL trident on her crest because, much like Michael and every Navy SEAL who has earned the honor of wearing the trident, this ship is designed to counter threats from above and below the surface of the oceans, in the air and on land.”
            Designated DDG 112, Michael Murphy is the 62nd Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, capable of conducting operations from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection.  Michael Murphy is capable of fighting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously and will contain a myriad of offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime warfare.
            “USS Michael Murphy, the most flexible, lethal and multi-mission capable ship of its kind, represents the backbone of our surface combatant fleet,” said Adm. Jonathan Greenert, chief of naval operations.  “It is one of the best destroyers in the world.  This ship will operate forward around the globe, assuring allies, projecting power and defending our nation.  And, like its namesake Lt. Michael Murphy, this ship will serve to protect, influence and win in an era of uncertainty.”
            Cmdr. Thomas E. Shultz, a native of El Cajon, Calif., is the commanding officer of the ship and will lead the crew of 279 officers and enlisted personnel.  The 9,200-ton Michael Murphy was built by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works.  The ship is 509 feet in length, has a waterline beam of 59 feet, and has a navigational draft of 31 feet.  Four gas turbine engines will power the ship to speeds in excess of 30 knots.
            The commissioning ceremony will be live at www.livestream.com/usnavy and you can join the conversation on Twitter with the hash tag #MURPH.
            Media may direct queries to the Navy Office of Information at 703-697-5342.

Additional information on Arleigh Burke-class destroyers is available online at http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=900&ct=4 .
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R.I.P. - Sgt. Thomas J. Butler IV, Sgt. Jeremy F. Hardison, Sgt. Donna R. Johnson

Sgt. Butler, Sgt. Hardison, Sgt. Johnson
DOD Identifies Army Casualties
            The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            They died Oct.1, in Khost, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when an insurgent detonated a suicide vest while they were on dismounted patrol. The soldiers were assigned to the 514th Military Police Company, 60th Troop Command, Winterville, N.C.

            Killed were:

            Sgt. Thomas J. Butler IV, 25, of Wilmington, N.C.;

            Sgt. Jeremy F. Hardison, 23, of Maysville, N.C. and

            Sgt. Donna R. Johnson, 29, of Raeford, N.C.

            For more information, media may contact the North Carolina Army National Guard public affairs office in Raleigh, N.C., at 919-612-9712.

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Sgt. Thomas J. Butler IV, 25, of Wilmington, N.C., died Oct.1, in Khost, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when an insurgent detonated a suicide vest while he was on dismounted patrol. Butler was assigned to the 514th Military Police Company, 60th Troop Command, Winterville, N.C.

Sgt.Butler, who grew up in Hampstead, graduated from Topsail High in 2006 and lists Wilmington as his home on his Facebook page, joined the North Carolina National Guard in June 2007. The deployment to Afghanistan was his first. His awards and decorations included the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
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Sgt. Jeremy F. Hardison, 23, of Maysville, N.C., died Oct.1, in Khost, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when an insurgent detonated a suicide vest while he was on dismounted patrol. Hardison
was assigned to the 514th Military Police Company, 60th Troop Command, Winterville, N.C. - North Carolina National Guard

Hardison entered the military in May 2006. Also a veteran of service in Iraq, he had deployed there in 2009. His awards and decorations included the Combat Action Badge, Iraq Campaign Medal with a campaign star and the Army Commendation Medal.
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Sgt. Donna R. Johnson, 29, of Raeford, N.C., died Oct.1, in Khost, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when an insurgent detonated a suicide vest while she was on dismounted patrol. Johnson was as
signed to the 514th Military Police Company, 60th Troop Command, Winterville, N.C.

Sgt. Johnson joined the North Carolina National Guard in August 2006. She had previously deployed to Iraq from 2007 to 2008. Her awards and decorations included the Combat Action Badge, Iraq Campaign Medal and Army Commendation Medal.

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