Saturday, November 3, 2012

5 Kidnapped Aid Workers Freed in Niger, 1 Killed

Officials in Niger say five African aid workers who were kidnapped by suspected al-Qaida militants last month have been freed.

The aid groups BEFEN and Health Alert say the workers were freed on Saturday near Niger's border with Mali. They say a sixth worker who had been kidnapped with the group was shot during the abduction and later died from his wounds.

Officials in Niger say the kidnappers are suspected to be Islamist extremists based in Mali, who have been linked to a string of abductions.

Mali plunged into chaos in March after a military coup toppled President Amadou Toure and led to the formation of an interim government.

Militants who seized the country's northern region have been trying to enforce a strict version of Islamic law.

In October, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution that clears the way for deployment of forces from the West African bloc ECOWAS. The regional group has proposed sending about 3,000 troops into Mali.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
from VOA News
November 03, 2012

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In Several Joint Operations, 11 Armed Taliban Arrested (03.Nov.2012.)



Publish Date: Nov 03, 2012
In Several Joint Operations, 11 Armed Taliban Arrested

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

As a result of these operations, one armed Talib was killed and 11 other armed Taliban were arrested by Afghan National Security Forces.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated five different types of weapons, eight different types of mines, four magazines and two motorcycles.
Additionally, Afghan National Police discovered and defused an anti-vehicle mine which was placed by enemies of peace and stability in the main road of Asmayel Khil District of Khost province, yesterday.
 
Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained a suspect accused of murder in the 8th District of Kabul-City.
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District security chief killed following blast in Kandahar

According to local authorities in southern Kandahar province of Afghanistan, Rahmatullah district security chief for Dand was killed following an explosion in this province.

Provincial security chief spokesman Ghorzang confirming the report said the incident took place while Dand district security chief Rahmatullah was on his way to assess a security check post in Gargan village.

He said a number of Afghan police officers were also injured following the blast.

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

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - Sat Nov 03, 11:22 am

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Several suspected terrorists shot dead in northern Nigeria state


MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Several suspected terrorists were shot dead by security operatives late Thursday in a raid carried out in northeast Nigeria's Borno State, residents in various communities across the state said Friday.

A Xinhua reporter in Maiduguri, capital of the northern Borno State, said although there are conflicting reports about the casualty figures, the raid was carried out in five suspected hideouts of the Islamic Boko Haram sect usually responsible for bloody attacks in northern and central parts of Nigeria.

"For now, nobody can give a specific number of casualties killed in the raid, but there were series of gunshots in Maiduguri and several people have died," said Mohammed Bashir, a resident of Kalari community in Maiduguri.

The raid was carried out by the military troops in about five locations in the metropolis, Bashir said, adding the military operation started with sporadic gunshots which lasted for several hours.

"Many dead bodies littered the affected communities," according to Ruqayat Bello, another resident who confirmed that the fully- armed military officials busted a Boko Haram hideout in her area.

Although the Joint Task Force operating in the state declined comments on the incident, a security source who confirmed the raid on condition of anonymity said the raid was carried out to avert a major attack by the Boko Haram sect.

"There was an information that Boko Haram members were planning another major attack, hence the military operation," the source added.

Spokesperson of the JTF in Maiduguri, Lt.-Col Sagir Musa, also declined comments on the attack but said the incident will be investigated.

Maiduguri had been the base of the radical Boko Haram sect since it began to launch its attacks in the northern and central parts of Nigeria in 2009.

from XINHUA
2012-11-03 00:51:29

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TTP Suicide Bomber kills anti-Taliban Lashkar Chief

(file photo)
Suicide blast kills anti-Taliban lashkar chief; TTP claims responsibility

PESHAWAR: At least six people were killed and three others injured Saturday when a Pakistani Taliban suicide bomber targeted a local anti-Taliban militia chief in district Buner of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Fateh Khan, a local leader affiliated with the Awami National Party (ANP), was killed with three of his guards when a suicide bomber targeted his vehicle in Dagar area of Buner. The incident happened near Fateh Khan petrol pump, owned by the leader from Sultanwas village.

“The suicide bomber blown himself up in front of Fateh Khan’s vehicle. Three guards boarding the vehicle were also killed in the attack,” district police chief Jehanzeb Khan said.

Khan was one of the key local political leaders and businessmen who had played a major role in setting up a Lashkar (militia) to stop the Swat Taliban from entering Buner before the extremist militant group briefly seized power of the district in 2009. The militants were eventually ousted from the district soon after a peace pact between the government and the Swat Taliban fell apart.

A local police official confirmed that six people had been killed in the blast.

“So far, we can confirm reports of six people being killed in the suicide bombing. The bomber, who was riding a motorcycle, targeted the vehicle of Fateh Khan,” said police station officer Noor Habib.

Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan, speaking to Dawn.com from an undisclosed location, claimed responsibility of the attack, saying they had targeted Fateh Khan for leading armed resistance against the extremist militant group.

However, the spokesman claimed the suicide bomber was sent on foot, contradicting police reports that the bomb was detonated by a man on a motorcycle.

from DAWN
Agencies and Zahir Shah Sherazi

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Nov. 03., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in Kandahar province today.

The arrested leader is suspected of being in charge of overseeing the emplacement and distribution of improvised explosives devices throughout northern Kandahar province.

The security force also detained two suspected insurgents and seized multiple firearms.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

East

Afghan and coalition security forces seized 750 kilograms (1,650 pounds) of homemade explosives during an operation in Ghazni province yesterday. Following the operation, the combined force destroyed the discovered materials on location.

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani leader in Logar province today. The arrested leader oversaw operations and multiple attack cells within northern Logar province. During the operation, the security force also detained a number of suspected insurgents.

An Afghan and coalition force detained a number of insurgents during a security operation in search for a Taliban leader in Nangarhar province today. As the security force approached the Taliban leader’s suspected location, two armed insurgents attacked the Afghan and coalition troops with small-arms fire. Friendly forces returned fire, wounding the two armed insurgents, who were later evacuated to a coalition medical facility. During the operation, the security force seized several assault rifles, shotguns and large quantities of ammunition and gear.

An Afghan and coalition security force killed Haqqani leader Sadiq Jan during a security operation in Paktiya province Friday. Sadiq Jan, also known as Lewo, was responsible for directing attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, kidnapping local nationals and coordinating the movement of weapons and bomb-making materials for the attacks.

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Nov. 03., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition detained four insurgents and cleared an improvised explosive device during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Nov. 2.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces detained two insurgents and wounded one during an engagement in Ghazni district. The wounded insurgent received medical care and was transferred, along with the detained, to a base for questioning.

Paktika province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Orgun district.

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

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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