Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Commandos and coalition forces neutralize insurgent networks in Wardak

Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – AfghanistanStory by Sgt. Jenie Fisher
photos by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jesse Awalt
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WARDAK, Afghanistan – Commandos with the 1st, 2nd, and 6th Special Operations Kandaks, partnered with coalition forces, killed more than 40 insurgents in Chak district during a week-long clearing operation ending Oct. 5.

The operation was planned and executed by the Afghan commandos in eastern Afghanistan implementing a bubble of security throughout an area known to be an insurgent safe-haven, thus providing a foundation for governance and development.

Coalition leaders recognize these missions help to create and further expand the security bubble in Chak. As Afghan and coalition forces create more and more “white space,” the area becomes increasingly inhospitable to the insurgents. As similar security bubbles throughout Afghanistan expand, they force the insurgents out and connect local, district and national government across the country. 

“The operation created a massive disruption to the insurgents in Chak Valley,” said Special Operations Task Force East commander Lt. Col. Christopher J. Fox. “Once the insurgents are cleared of the area, they can no longer intimidate or attack the civilians of the small communities willing to be a part of a legitimate Afghan government.”

Throughout the week, commandos and coalition forces swept known insurgent hideouts throughout the valley, forcing them out to face a unified front of Afghan National Security Forces and their coalition partners. More than 40 insurgent fighters were killed and 12 others were wounded. Afghan and coalition forces now have a solid foothold in Chak Valley where they will move forward with village stability operations. 

The overall goal of village stability operations is to permanently shape an area to support local governance. The village stability operations process is a bottom-up, population-centric form of combat that normally requires months to achieve. 

As the summer fighting season slows down, many foreign insurgents move back to Pakistan for the winter months, while ANSF and coalition forces work overtime to solidify security in rural areas where governance and development can take root. Officials say that operations of this magnitude paralyze insurgent activity, jump start village stability operations in rural areas and help to substantiate the Afghan government’s potential to flourish after coalition forces transition out of Afghanistan.

“This operation proves the great strides ANSF are making in their ability to protect the Afghan people from the intimidation tactics and physical attacks by the insurgents,” Fox said in closing.
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15 Armed Taliban Killed and 5 Arrested by ANP (10.Oct.2012.)



Publish Date: Oct 10, 2012
15 Armed Taliban Killed and Five Arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:
During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched seven joint clearance operations in Nangarhar, Kandahar, Paktika, Paktiya and Helmand provinces.

As a result of these operations, 15 armed Taliban were killed and five others were arrested by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated four AK-47 assault rifles, three heavy rounds, seven different types of mines, one hand grenade and one vehicle.
Additionally, Afghan National Police discovered and defused two BM-1 rounds, one mortar round and one anti-vehicle mine as a result of security operations in Kabul and Ghazni provinces, yesterday.

Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained five individuals accused of theft and using fake passport in the Kabul International Airport and Paghman District of Kabul-City.
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Somalia: U.S. Journalist Fears to Be Handed to Al Shabab

Hobyo A US journalist held hostage by pirates in central Somalia town said on Wednesday that he fears to be handed to the Al Qaeda linked militants of Al shabab by his current kidnappers.

Micheal Scott, an abducted American journalist in Hobyo town of Mudug region said his captors are planning to transfer him to Al shabab, if their ransom demand is not paid three days.

"I appeal to the News agency I worked for and my government of United States to safe myself as soon as possible from falling to Al shabab hand," he cried.

It is unknown the healthy condition of Michael Scott, the US journalist held detainee in central Somalia.


from allAfrica/Shabelle
by maalik_eng October 10, 2012

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Taliban leader killed in NATO airstrike in Kandahar

Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the death of Taliban leader Khal Mohammad during an airstrike in Kandahar province Saturday.

NATO-led International Security Assistance Force following a statement on Wednesday announced, “Khal Mohammad organized the placement of improvised explosive devices intended for Afghan and coalition personnel operating in Kandahar province.”

The source further added, “An Afghan-led security force, supported by coalition troops, arrested one Haqqani leader and killed another during two operations in Paktiya province Tuesday.

• The detained Haqqani leader was actively involved in high-profile attacks on Afghan government officials. During the operation, the security force detained six additional suspected insurgents.

• The killed Haqqani leader, Khalid, was responsible for suicide attack planning and the facilitation of weapons and IEDs.”

Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the death of Taliban leader Amir Gul in an operation in Wardak province Sunday, ISAF said following the statemetn adding that Amir Gul, also known as Qurashi, planned IED and rocket attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

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

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - Wed Oct 10, 12:03 pm

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Madison Rising and Orange County Choppers!

from BLACKFIVE
posted by Pitch
(click on the poster or watch the video for details!)

Talk about a match made in heaven!  The patriotic band Madison Rising is headed up to Newburgh, NY this weekend to visit Paul Sr. and Paul Jr. and the other guys and gals at Orange County Choppers, home of American Chopper.

They are there to support a special tribute to Military Working Dogs.  They'll play a couple of concerts, no doubt including their incredible version of the Star Spangled Banner.   I had the great fortune to meet them a few weeks ago as they were passing thru the DC area back to their home stomping grounds in Philly and NYC and they are just a fantastic group of guys.

If you can get up to Newburgh (about 70 miles due north of NYC on the Hudson), do so and support this incredible band and this wonderful cause.
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video:


Purchase tickets now at: http://shop.orangecountychoppers.com/category.cfm/choppers/lifestyle-events
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5 'militants' killed in US drone strike in Mir Ali


The US killed three "militants" in a drone strike that targeted a compound in the Mir Ali area of the Taliban-controlled tribal agency of North Waziristan today.

The remotely piloted Predators or the more advanced Reapers fired four missiles at a compound in the "Hurmuz area, east of Miranshah" after circling the area, according to AFP. Hurmuz is in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan, according to The News.

Pakistani intelligence officials said that five "militants" were killed in the attack. The exact target of the airstrike has not been disclosed. No senior al Qaeda or allied jihadist commanders from foreign terrorist groups are reported to have been killed in the strike.

The strike is the second in Pakistan this month. The first strike this month took place on Oct. 1 in the Mir Ali area. The previous airstrike, on Sept. 24 in the Mir Ali area, reportedly killed five "militants," including al Qaeda leader Abu Kasha al Iraqi and Fateh al Turki, a previously unidentified leader. Their deaths have not been confirmed.

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/10/5_militants_killed_i.php#ixzz28t7XBTMq
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6 Afghan local police killed following blast in Helmand

According to local authorities in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan, at least 6 Afghan local police forces were killed following a roadside improvised explosive device explosion in this province.

The officials further added the incident took place early Wednesday morning at Nad-e-Ali district.

Nad-e-Ali district chief Mohammad Ibrahim confirming the report said the incident took place around 7:00 am local time after a local police vehicle struck with the roadside bomb.

Mr. Ibrahim further added at least 6 Afghan local police officers along with a local police commander were killed following the blast.

He also said another local police officer was also injured during the incident.

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

This comes as two separate explosions on Tuesday killed at least four people including an Afghan police officer in this district.

from KHAAMA
By Sadaf Shinwari - Wed Oct 10, 10:47 am

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French police find explosives in Islamist probe

Le GIPN, était présent, pour intervenir en cas...
French GIPN (Photo credit: biloud43)
(Reuters) - French anti-terrorist police have found bomb-making materials and weapons while investigating suspected radical Islamists across the country, Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said on Wednesday.

Molins said a dozen suspects rounded up in raids over the weekend would be held for a further 24 hours after the discovery of chemicals used to make explosives at a garage in the Paris suburbs belonging to one of them.

"We are clearly confronted with an extremely dangerous terror network," Molins said in a statement to the media. "It is essential to extend their stay in custody."

Investigators searched garages in the town of Torcy, near Paris, overnight after an anti-terrorist raid on Saturday ended with police shooting dead an Islamist suspect linked to a grenade attack last month on a Jewish supermarket and arresting 11 others.

Molins said a shotgun, a revolver, bags of potassium nitrate, sulfur and a pressure cooker were discovered at a garage used by the suspect, at whose home police on Saturday had found a list of Jewish groups in the Paris area.

"These are all products used to make what we call improvised explosives," he said.

France's Jewish community has been on edge after a series of attacks in recent months. In the worst incident, three Jewish children and a rabbi were among seven shot dead in the southern city of Toulouse in March by an al-Qaeda-inspired gunman.

Last week, the government said the terrorist threat remained high as it presented legislation allowing police to arrest those believed to have been involved in terrorism-related activity outside French borders.

Molins said the detention of the dozen suspects could be extended again by a further six days if necessary.

from REUTERS
PARIS | Wed Oct 10, 2012 3:48am EDT
(Reporting by Catherine Bremer; editing by Mark John)

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Oct. 10., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the death of Taliban leader Khal Mohammad during an airstrike in Kandahar province Saturday.

Khal Mohammad organized the placement of improvised explosive devices intended for Afghan and coalition personnel operating in Kandahar province.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

An Afghan and coalition security force killed several armed insurgents during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in Sar-e Pul province today. The security force seized multiple assault rifles, a machine gun, an extra machine gun barrel and several grenades as a result of the operation.

South

An Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected insurgents during an operation in search of a Taliban facilitator in Helmand province today. The Taliban facilitator is alleged to coordinate the movement of insurgent fighters and weapons, while planning attacks across on Afghan and coalition forces.

An Afghan and coalition security force killed an armed insurgent during a security operation in search of a Taliban leader in Kandahar province today. The security force also detained several other suspected insurgents and seized an assault rifle as a result of the operation.

East

An Afghan-led security force, supported by coalition troops, arrested one Haqqani leader and killed another during two operations in Paktiya province Tuesday.

• The detained Haqqani leader was actively involved in high-profile attacks on Afghan government officials. During the operation, the security force detained six additional suspected insurgents.

• The killed Haqqani leader, Khalid, was responsible for suicide attack planning and the facilitation of weapons and IEDs

Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the death of Taliban leader Amir Gul in an operation in Wardak province Sunday. Amir Gul, also known as Qurashi, planned IED and rocket attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

Afghan commandos with the 1st Special Operations Kandak, partnered with coalition forces, killed several insurgents during a clearing operation in Kunar province Monday. Afterward, commandos and coalition forces uncovered a stockpile of tactical equipment, which was destroyed on site.

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Oct. 10., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces killed six insurgents, detained five, located a weapons cache and cleared eight improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Oct. 9.

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

Khowst province
Afghan Border Police and coalition forces detained three insurgents while investigating an improvised explosive device in Terezayi district. The improvised explosive device was safely cleared and the detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Shamal district. The cache contained a sniper rifle, four rocket-propelled grenades and their launcher, small arms and ammunition, three land mines, and copper wire.

Logar province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared three improvised explosive devices, one in Baraki Barak district and three in Pul-E Alam district.

Paktika province
A coalition airstrike killed three insurgents in Giyan district in response to Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces receiving small arms and indirect fire.

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

Afghan National Army soldiers killed three insurgents, wounded one and detained one during an engagement in Maidan Shahr district. The wounded received medical care and was then transferred, along with the detained, to a base for questioning.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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