Apr. 13., 2013. - ISAF Joint Command Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a senior Taliban leader and detained two other insurgents during an operation in Nad 'Ali district, Helmand province, April 12.

The leader commands multiple cells of Taliban fighters and with his subordinates, is alleged to have participated in numerous complex attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout Helmand province.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout
Afghanistan:

North

During an operation in Burkah district, Baghlan province April 11, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested a senior Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader. The leader is believed to be in charge of a cell of insurgents responsible for improvised explosive device operations against Afghan and coalition forces throughout Balkh province.

South

An Afghan and coalition security force detained a number of insurgents during an operation in search of a Taliban leader in Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province, April 12. The leader is alleged to maintain control of a group of insurgent fighters responsible for multiple attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, including the kidnapping of Afghan government officials. The security force also seized 50 pounds of hashish as a result of the operation.

During an operation in search of a Taliban facilitator in Kandahar district, Kandahar province April 11, an Afghan and coalition security force detained one suspected insurgent. The facilitator is responsible for IED logistics around Kandahar district to include procuring homemade explosives, assisting in IED construction, and delivery of completed devices for use in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

East

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani leader and detained one other insurgent during an operation in Pul-e 'Alam district, Logar province, April 12. The leader is believed responsible for weapons facilitation in Pul-e 'Alam district, and for controlling a group of fighters responsible for IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also seized IED-making material as a result of the raid.

During an operation in search of a Haqqani leader in Musa Khel district, Khost province April 11, an Afghan and coalition security force detained a number of insurgents. The Haqqani leader is believed responsible for procuring and distributing weapons and IEDs to his fellow fighters for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout Khost province. The security force also seized fragmentary grenades, AK-47s, a pistol, and a significant amount of ammunition as a result of the operation.

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Apr. 13., 2013. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security and coalition forces detained two suspected insurgents, discovered three weapons caches and found and safely cleared 11 improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, April 12.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Gelan district.

Afghan National Security Forces discovered three weapons caches during operations in the Ghazni district. One cache contained four IEDs, 40 pounds of explosive making materiel, four rocket-propelled grenade rounds, three 82 mm mortar heads, one artillery round, four 30 mm rounds, three AK-47s with eight magazines, one machine gun with 300 rounds, one grenade, five tactical vests, two cameras and additional IED making materiel. A second cache contained more than 600 pounds of explosive making materiel and 40 sticks of explosives. A third cache contained 110 pounds of explosive making materiel.

Khowst province
Afghan National Security and coalition forces found and safely cleared three IEDs and detained two suspected insurgents during operations in the Khowst d istrict. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan National Security and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Sabari district.

Kunar province
Afghan National Security and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Marawarah district.

Logar province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared three IEDs during operations in the Charkh district.

Nangarhar province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Surkh Rod district.

Wardak province
Coalition Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Sayyidabad district.

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7 killed in bomb attacks near Iraqi Sunni mosques

BAGHDAD, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Seven people were killed and 35 others injured when three roadside bombs hit worshipers near two Sunni mosques north of Baghdad on Friday, local police source said.
Two roadside bombs hit worshipers in succession when they were leaving the Mosque of Omar bin Abdul-Aziz in the area of Canaan near Baquba, some 50 km northeast of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, a local police source told Xinhua.

Seven people were killed and 30 others injured in the back-to- back attacks, he added.

Separately, at least five worshipers were wounded when a roadside bomb exploded near a mosque in Sada area, 10 km northeast of Baquba, the source said.

The Iraqi security forces cordoned off the area immediately after the attack, he added.

Violence is still common in war-torn Iraq despite the dramatic decrease since its peak in 2006 and 2007 when the country was engulfed in sectarian killings.

from XINHUA
2013-04-12 20:42:35

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Heavy clashes in Kunar, Afghan soldiers casualties feared

Districts of Kunar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Heavy clashes have been reported between Afghan national army soldiers and Taliban militants in eastern Kunar province of Afghanistan.

According to local authorities the clashes started early Friday morning at Nari district after Taliban militants attacked a security check post in this district.

Nari district police chief Mhammad Yousuf confirming the report said Taliban militants attacked the security check post on Friday morning and clashes are still going on between the two sides.

Mr. Yousuf further added that both Taliban and Afghan soldiers suffered casualties during the clashes however the exact number of deaths are still unclear.

In the meantime a local security official speaking on the condition of anonymity said at least four Afghan soldiers were killed and one other was injured.

The source further added that Taliban militants have taken at least 9 Afghan soldier with them.

from KHAAMA
By Ghanizada - 12 Apr 2013, 10:00 am
---
from Pajhwok:
12 ANA troops, 5 rebels dead in Kunar clash
By Khan Wali Salarzai Apr 12, 2013 - 16:57    

ASADABAD (PAN): A dozen Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were killed during a hours-long fierce gun-battle with Taliban insurgents who stormed a security post in eastern Kunar province that borders Pakistan's Bajuar tribal region, a military official said on Friday.
The clash broke out on Thursday night and continued until Friday afternoon. The armed rebels attacked a post of ANA's 201st Selab Military Corps in Narai district, said Col. Noman Hatifi, the corps spokesman. He said nothing about casualties.

Kunar governor and Ministry of Defence spokesman Gen. Abdul Zahir Azimi confirmed the clash, but they had no details about ANA casualties.

However, an ANA commander of a nearby checkpoint, Mirza Ali, said 12 ANA soldiers and five Taliban fighters were killed in the engagement. The attackers had seized another two ANA soldiers, he said, adding the clash that began last night continued until Friday afternoon.

A Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed 15 Afghan soldiers were killed in the attack in Anchagal area. The fighters also seized two RPG, a heavy machinegun and 12 small weapons from the government soldiers, he said.

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Apr. 12., 2013. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared three improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, April 11.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Ghazni district.

Logar province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Pul-E-Alam district.

Wardak province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Sayyidabad district.

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Bob Bergdahl, the father of current POW, Sgt Bowe Bergdahl speaks Out

today Patrick J. Hughes has left a new comment on my site,
so i'm posting this video now here:

Published on Apr 10, 2013

On Tuesday, 9 April 2013 there was a Freedom March held in Washington, DC. by P.O.W. Activist Organization "Honor-Release-Return"

Bob Bergdahl, the father of current POW, Sgt Bowe Bergdahl and Former POWs Mike Benge, Larry Stark, Carmel Whetzel to speak.

Beginning with a wreath-laying at the war memorials, followed by a march to the steps of the U.S. Capitol building, and featuring speeches by Bob Bergdahl, father of current POW, SGT. Bowe Bergdahl, Afghanistan, captured June 2009, currently being held by the Taliban aligned Haqqani network in Pakistan, Mike Benge, Prisoner of War, Vietnam, Larry Stark, Prisoner of War, Vietnam, Carmel Whetzel, Prisoner of War, WWII, and Roger Hall, POW/MIA activist and Bob 'Bulldog' Ousley, Major, US Army (Retired) They will focus on demanding that the U.S. government formally request and negotiate for the return of all live Americans who are in captivity in foreign countries, and negotiate for information concerning Americans unaccounted for and believed to be held captive in Southeast Asia, Russia, North Korea, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Patrick J. Hughes U.S.M.C. ChuLai 67-68
Rolling Thunder Inc. National Photographer
www.patrickjhughes.org
www.patrickjhughes.com
YouTube: mag12chulai
God Bless America 

Related articles

• Just One Left Behind (veteransnewsnow.com)
• Sgt Bowe Bergdahl: US Army (Prisoner of War): Day of Action & Prayer-Nov 30 (waronterrornews.typepad.com)

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3 killed, 22 injured as blast hits NW Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, April 11 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed and over 22 others injured when a bomb hit a camp of peace militiamen in Pakistan's northwest tribal area of Khyber Agency on Thursday afternoon, local media reported.
Local TV channel ARY reported that the explosion happened in the restive Tirah Valley area of Khyber Agency at about 3:30 p.m. local time, when some unknown militants targeted the camp of pro- government local people who formed a militia to fight the militants in the area.

Nature of the blast is not known yet.

The injured people were shifted to a nearby hospital where several of them were said to be critical.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

Early in the morning, one soldier and 15 militants were killed in clashes between insurgents and security forces in the same area.

Tirah valley is a strategically important area to both Pakistan army and militants, as some of the major roads from the valley lead to Afghanistan.

The fighting between militants and troops has been underway in the area since last year, however, the clashes escalated during last month when militants took hold of some of the major areas.

Local officials said that over 40,000 residents of Tirah Valley have taken refuge in the nearby areas due to the continuous clashes between different militant organizations and army over the last few months.

from XINHUA
2013-04-11 19:20:07

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Apr. 11., 2013. - ISAF Joint Command Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and detained one other insurgent during an operation in Kandahar district, Kandahar province, today.

The leader is believed to be in charge of a cell of fighters responsible for improvised explosive device operations against Afghan civilians in Kandahar district. He was also involved in the facilitation of weapons and vehicles for use in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout
Afghanistan:

North

An Afghan and coalition security force detained two insurgents during an operation in search of a senior insurgent leader with ties to both the Taliban and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan in Sholgarah district, Balkh province, Wednesday. The leader is the ranking Taliban official in Sholgarah district and has ties to local Taliban officials responsible for conducting attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Balkh province. He also has a history of collecting taxes in order to finance the Taliban terrorist network, and manages the weapons distribution chain for insurgent cells in Balkh province.

An Afghan and coalition security force killed a number of insurgents during an operation in search of a senior insurgent leader with ties to both the Taliban and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan in Burkah district, Baghlan province, Tuesday. The leader is the second-highest ranking insurgent official in Burkah district and personally responsible for recruiting and training Afghans in insurgency operations and targeting Afghan officials for kidnappings and executions. He has also played a significant role in linking Taliban and IMU fighters in Baghlan, working as a mediator and coordinating operations between the two different networks.

South

During an operation in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province Wednesday, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and detained one other insurgent. The insurgent leader is alleged to be instrumental in acquiring weapons, distributing them to his subordinates, and leading them in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He is also involved in IED research and development, with a history of experimenting with different device configurations for future employment.

An Afghan and coalition security force killed two insurgents Wednesday during a separate operation in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, in search of a senior Taliban leader. The leader has operational control over a cell of insurgents responsible for multiple attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. His group is known to use IEDs, vehicle-mounted automatic grenade launchers, rocket propelled grenades and various other weapons during their operations. The leader is also vital in insurgent weapons facilitation throughout Helmand province.

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Apr. 11., 2013. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces discovered two weapons caches, and found and safely cleared five improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, April 10.

Ghazni province

Afghan National Security Forces discovered a weapons cache during operations in the Ghazni district. The cache contained five containers of IED-making materials.

Khowst province

Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared two IEDs during operations in the Manduzai district.

Kunar province

Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Asadabad district.

Logar province

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Pul-E-Alam district.

Paktika province

Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Gomal district.

Paktiya province

Afghan National Security Forces discovered a weapons cache during operations in the Zormat district. The cache contained one 82 mm mortar tube, numerous 82 mm mortar rounds and one large caliber machine gun with hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

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Nigerian Christian Youth Reject Amnesty for Boko Haram

A picture taken from a video reportedly shows Abubakar Shekau (C), the suspected leader of Nigerian Islamist extremist group Boko Haram, flanked by six armed and hooded fighters in an undisclosed place, March 5, 2013.

ABUJA — The youth wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria on Wednesday warned President Goodluck Jonathan against granting any kind of amnesty deal to the militant group known as Boko Haram, calling the proposition “a clarion call to all terrorism in Nigeria.”

In recent weeks, the clamor from leaders of Nigeria’s volatile north has grown loud. They want the president to mediate an amnesty deal with Boko Haram, a militant group some call “the Nigerian Taliban.” 

Last week, President Jonathan announced he is forming a committee to look into the possibility.  The youth wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria, an umbrella organization that represents several denominations, said even entertaining the possibility will “fuel the anger of the Christian youth.”

“Mr. President should remember that the amnesty being advocated is for Muslim youths who are the Boko Haram members and who have killed, maimed out fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers and children and also bombed and burnt our churches without provocation,” said Simon Dolly, the organization’s president.

In a thinly veiled warning, Dolly went on to say that young Christians have not responded to Boko Haram violence in kind because the Christian Association of Nigeria has forbidden it.

The Christian Association’s southeastern secretary, Christian Nwanya, says the only way to end the violence is by brute force. “Beef up security.  They do not need amnesty. They should apologize for [to] Nigerians for killing us," she stated. "You can not forgive someone who kills you. It is not done anywhere.”

Violence associated with Boko Haram has killed more than 3,000 people since the insurgency began in 2009, including killings by security forces.  Boko Haram has attacked government buildings, media houses, churches, security forces, communications infrastructure, and the local U.N. headquarters.

Northern leaders argue the regional economy could collapse under the strain of constant attacks, and it is the north that bears almost the entire effects of the insurgency. 

In 2009, militants in the southern Niger Delta turned in their weapons and promised not to fight in exchange for job training and small salaries.  Supporters of amnesty for Boko Haram point out that the Niger Delta amnesty quieted what was nearly an all-out war.

from VOA News
by Heather Murdock
April 10, 2013

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