Oct. 27., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces killed seven insurgents, detained six, located a weapons cache and cleared six improvised explosive devices, and an insurgent died when his IED detonated prematurely, during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Oct. 26.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared three IEDs, one in Waghaz district, one in Ghazni district and one in Gelan district.

Kabul province
Afghan National Police and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Sarobi district. The cache contained two suicide vests.

Khowst province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces killed seven insurgents and wounded one during an engagement in Gurbuz district. The wounded received medical care and was then transferred to a base for questioning.

Laghman province
An insurgent died when his IED detonated prematurely in Mehtar Lam district.

Nangarhar province
Afghan Uniformed Police found and safely cleared two IEDs, one in Jalalabad district and one in Mohmand Darah district.

Nuristan province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces detained five insurgents while investigating an IED in Zurmat district.The IED was safely cleared and the detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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Al Qaeda's Zawahri calls for kidnap of Westerners

Ayman al Zawahiri (Photo credit: fotosinteresantes)

(Reuters) - Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri has called on Muslims to kidnap Westerners, join Syria's rebellion and to ensure Egypt implements sharia, SITE Monitoring reported on Saturday, citing a two-part film posted on Islamist websites.

The Egypt-born cleric, who became al Qaeda leader last year after the death of Osama bin Laden, spoke in a message that lasted more than two hours.

"We are seeking, by the help of Allah, to capture others and to incite Muslims to capture the citizens of the countries that are fighting Muslims in order to release our captives," he said, praising the kidnapping of Warren Weinstein, a 71-year-old American aid worker in Pakistan last year.

Zawahri's message was first released on Wednesday, SITE said, just two weeks after the cleric issued a filmed statement calling for more protests against the United States over a California-made film mocking the Prophet Mohammad.

In his new message, he called on Muslims to ensure Egypt's revolution continued until sharia law was implemented and urged fellow Muslims to join the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

The release of his message had been delayed, he said, because of the "conditions of the fierce war" in Afghanistan and Pakistan where he said U.S.-led forces had intensified a bombing campaign.

U.S. President Barack Obama, whom Zawahri described as a "liar" and "one of the biggest supporters of Israel", has stepped up the use of unmanned drones to target militants in both countries as well as in Yemen.

"A LICENCE TO KILL"

In a further attack on Western governments and international institutions, Zawahri accused world powers of giving Syrian President Assad "a licence to kill" his opponents.

"The U.N., Kofi Annan and the Arab League give the al-Assad regime one opportunity after another to end the rising of jihadi, popular resistance against his oppression, injustice, corruption and spoiling," SITE reported Zawahri as saying.

Syria's anti-government rebels include Islamist groups that draw on foreign fighters.

"I incite Muslims everywhere, especially in the countries that are contiguous to Syria, to rise up to support their brothers in Syria with all what they can and not to spare anything that they can offer," he said.

Zawahri, who led the Egyptian Islamic Jihad movement before joining al Qaeda, called on President Mohamed Mursi, the country's new Islamist leader, to explain his policies on Israel, Egyptian Christians and sharia law.

Islamist militants want Egypt to introduce sharia and to tear up a 1979 peace treaty with Israel and were dismayed when Mursi said he would appoint a Coptic Christian vice president.

"The battle in Egypt is very clear. It is a battle between the secular minority that is allied with the church and that is leaning on the support of the army, who are made up by (former President Hosni) Mubarak and the Americans ... and the Muslim ummah (nation) in Egypt that is seeking to implement sharia," he said.

from REUTERS
DUBAI | Sat Oct 27, 2012 9:44am BST
(Reporting By Angus McDowall; Editing by Myra MacDonald and Andrew Osborn)

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Afghan police foil deadly suicide blast in northern Afghanistan

Afghan security forces foiled a deadly suicide bomb blast in northern Baghlan province of Afghanistan during the first day of Eid.

Provincial security chief Asadullah Shirzad said the suicide bomber was looking to target guests in provincial security commandment and was arrested by Afghan security forces before he detonate his explosives.

Mr. Shirzad said the suspected suicide bomber was arrested on the first day of Eid around 3:30 pm local time while he was looking to enter the guest house of Baghlan security commandment.

He said Afghan security forces had already received intelligence information regarding the bombing attempt by a suspected suicide bomber.

The detained suicide bomber was recognized as Abdullah and was a resident of northern Kunduz province. He is the second the suicide bomber arrested during the past three days in Baghlan province of Afghanistan.

This comes as a suicide bomber on Friday detonated his explosives among the participants of the Eid prayers near a mosque in Maimana city at northern Faryab province of Afghanistan, killing more than 40 people.

In the meantime the detained suicide bomber in Baghlan province told reporters that he was looking to carry out suicide attack in coordination with an Afghan police officer.

He denied to disclose the name of the police officer who was supporting him however he said that he was looking to assassinate provincial security chief of Baghlan province.

The suspected suicide bomber was in police uniform while he was looking to detonate his explosives.

Provincial security chief Asadullah Shirzad said they have started investigations to find out how the suspected bomber achieved police uniform.

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - Sat Oct 27, 10:20 am

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Oct. 26., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces killed an insurgent, detained six, discovered one weapons cache and cleared two improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Oct. 25.

Ghazni Province
Afghan National Army soldiers found and safely cleared an IED in Andar District.

Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Giro District. The cache contained 10 antipersonnel mines.

A coalition airstrike killed an insurgent in Gelan District in response to an imminent threat towards Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces.

Logar Province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces detained six insurgents during engagements in Pul-E Alam District. The detained suspects were 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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R.I.P. - Corporal David O’Connor, Corporal Channing Day (UK)

Corporal David O’Connor and Corporal Channing Day killed in Afghanistan
A Military Operations news article
(pictures via MOD)

25 Oct 12

It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the deaths of Corporal David O’Connor from 40 Commando Royal Marines and Corporal Channing Day from 3 Medical Regiment on Wednesday 24 October 2012 while on patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province.

Corporal O’Connor and Corporal Day were participating in a patrol with C Company, 40 Commando to conduct low level training with the Afghan Local Police. While en route to conduct that training, the patrol came under small arms fire near the village of Char Kutsa. As a result of the engagement Corporal O’Connor was fatally injured alongside his colleague and patrol medic, Corporal Day.

Secretary of State for Defence Philip Hammond said:

    "I was deeply saddened to learn of the deaths of Corporal David O’Connor and Corporal Channing Day. Both have been highly praised by their colleagues for their courage and strong sense of duty. My thoughts are with their families, loved ones and colleagues in the Royal Marines and 3 Medical Regiment."

Corporal David O’Connor

Corporal David O’Connor deployed to Afghanistan on 29 September 2012 as a Section Commander in the acting rank of Corporal. He served with Charlie Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines as part of Transition Support Unit Nahr-e Saraj. He was based in Patrol Base 1 in the southern part of Nahr-e-Saraj District, Helmand Province.

Corporal O’Connor was born on 16 June 1985 and lived in Havant, Hampshire with his mother. He joined the Royal Marines on 13 May 2002 and after nine months arduous training passed for duty as a Royal Marines Commando on 17 January 2003.

In 2007 Corporal O’Connor deployed to Afghanistan with 40 Commando on Operation Herrick 7 where he worked with Charlie Company in the Kajaki District of Northern Helmand. In 2009, after this brief period away from 40 Commando, he returned to the Commando to prepare to deploy once again to Afghanistan on Operation Herrick 12, this time to the volatile Sangin District of northern Helmand. On this tour Corporal O’Connor was praised for his steadfast dedication and bravery and was awarded a Commander Joint Operations’ Commendation.

After attendance on the Royal Marines Junior Command Course in 2011 he immediately rejoined 40 Commando and started Mission Specific Training for what was to be his third operational tour to Afghanistan on Operation Herrick 17.

Corporal O’Connor was an outstanding Royal Marines Commando. He displayed true Commando spirit in all that he did and was ferociously dedicated to his men, his Company and the Royal Marines. He was an inspirational leader and an excellent soldier; his loss will be felt not just at 40 Commando Royal Marines but throughout the Royal Marines Corps.

He leaves behind his mother, Rosemary; brother, Phil; father, Roy (known to all as George) and a loving family. He was 27 years old.

Corporal Channing Day

Corporal Channing Amanda Day deployed to Afghanistan on 2 October 2012 as a Combat Medical Technician Class One with the United Kingdom Medical Group. She was based at Patrol Base One in the Nahr-e Saraj District of Helmand Province, Afghanistan, where she provided medical support to 40 Commando Royal Marines.

Corporal Channing Day was born in Swindon, Wiltshire on 12 March 1987. She grew up in Newtownards, County Down before joining the Army in 2005. Following basic training she undertook specialist training as a Combat Medical Technician. In June 2007 she successfully passed her Class One Combat Medical Technician course. In January 2012 she was posted to 3 Medical Regiment and joined 63 (Force Support) Squadron, based in Preston, and in the build up to Operation Herrick 17 was selected to support 40 Commando Royal Marines as part of Transition Support Unit Nahr-e Saraj.

Corporal Day was a popular and well respected member of both 3 Medical Regiment, and Transition Support Unit Nahr-e Saraj. A veteran of previous Iraq and Afghanistan deployments, she was looked up to, especially by more junior soldiers in her Squadron, as a mature voice of experience and good advice.

Corporal Day clearly displayed the potential to go far within the Army. Her diligence, her loyalty to friends and comrades and the high opinion in which she was held by all ranks made her a natural medical leader. Her courage, selflessness and commitment in adversity embodied the ethos of the combat medic, and will be long remembered by all those who had the honour to serve with her.

Corporal Day is survived by her parents, Leslie and Rosemary Day, her sisters, Lauren and Laken, and brother Aaron. She was 25 years old.

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• Royal Marine and British soldier killed in Afghanistan (sgt-jim.blogspot.com)
• MOD UK: http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/CorporalDavidOconnorAndCorporalChanningDayKilledInAfghanistan.htm 
• SKY: http://news.sky.com/story/1002780/medic-and-marine-killed-in-afghanistan-named

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R.I.P. - Corporal Tiziano Chierotti (IT)

Soldier dies of wounds in Afghanistan

Corporal Tiziano Chierotti, 24, 52nd Italian death since 2004
Soldier dies of wounds in Afghanistan

Rome, October 25 - One of four Italian soldiers wounded in a firefight with Afghan insurgents Thursday has died in hospital, taking Italy's death toll in the eight-year NATO-led ISAF mission to 52. Alpine Brigade Corporal Tiziano Chierotti, 24, from the northwestern costal town of Sanremo, had surgery on abdominal wounds but "nothing could be done," military sources said in Rome.
The three other Alpine soldiers were hit in the legs and their conditions are not life-threatening, the sources said. Sending his condolences to Chierotti's family, Defence Minister Giampaolo Di Paola said Italy would stay the course with its US-led allies until the handover to Afghan forces is completed in 2014.

---

(AGI) Rome, Oct. 25 - Army sources have reported that Corporal Tiziano Chierotti, one of four Italian soldiers wounded in a firefight earlier today in Farah, south of Herat, Afghanistan, has died.
The firefight occurred during a joint operation carried out by Task Force South East with the 207th Corps of the Afghan National Army.
Corporal Chierotti was born on October 7th 1988 in San Remo, near Imperia, and joined the army in 2008. He died at 7.45 p.m. local time due to serious stomach wounds and after being medevacked to Camp Bastion.

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Italian convoy attacked in Afghanistan ...
Our soldier killed, three others injured
Our soldiers were carrying out a joint patrol with the Afghan army when their Lynx were attacked by a group of insurgents.
17:46 - An Italian armored Lynx was attacked in Afghanistan among our soldiers on board the train one was seriously injured, and died a few hours later, while three others suffered minor injuries.
The gunfight took place at 13:40 local district Bakwa, in Farah province (south of Herat), during a joint operation with the Afghan army: our soldiers responded by opening fire and killing one of the insurgents.

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ISAF condemns bombing at Faryab Mosque

Afghan policemen carry the body of a civilian after a bomb blast in Faryab province October 26, 2012.

Credit: Reuters/Stringer

International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs

KABUL, Afghanistan - The International Security Assistance Force condemns with grave conviction the suicide attack carried out this morning at the Eid Gah Mosque in Maimana, Faryab province. Dozens were killed or injured in the explosion as they left the mosque after the opening prayers of the holy observation of Eid al-Adha.

"I condemn this heinous act, which is an affront to human life, to religious devotion and to the peaceful aspirations of the Afghan people," said Gen. John R. Allen, the ISAF commander. "I offer my condolences to the families and friends of those who were killed or injured, and the resources of ISAF to help however we can. This violence undertaken at a place of worship, and during Eid, once again shows the insurgency's callous hypocrisy and disregard for religion and faith.

"In my recent remarks to commemorate this most holy Muslim observance of Eid al-Adha, I spoke of the admiration I hold for the Afghan people's desire for peace. Today's tragic attack makes this feeling all the more poignant as we - the coalition and the Afghan people - stand together in tireless pursuit of peace."

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Suicide bomb kills dozens at Afghan mosque

At least 37 people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack at a mosque in northern Afghanistan, officials say.

More than 40 people were wounded in the attack at the front of the mosque in Maymana, capital of Faryab province.

The provincial governor and police chief were said to be among those attending the prayers to mark the Eid al-Adha holidays, but they reportedly escaped without serious injury.

Civilians and police officers were among the dead, officials said.

Eye witnesses and officials said the suicide attacker approached the mosque and detonated his suicide vest after the Eid prayers had finished.

The BBC's Bilal Sarwary in Kabul says it is not clear now the attacker managed to get past at least four security checkpoints to target the mosque.

Deputy provincial governor Abdul Satar Barez told the AFP news agency that the attacker himself was wearing a police uniform.

from BBC
26 October 2012 Last updated at 07:25 GMT

---

from XINHUA:

"A suicide bomber targeted a mosque while people were leaving the mosque building at around 9 a.m. local time (0430 GMT) Friday after the Eid-ul-Adah prayers in Maimana city, killing 32 people and injuring 34 others," deputy to provincial governor Abdul Satar Bariz told Xinhua.

He said the number of the casualties could rise further as many of the wounded said to be in critical conditions.

The blast caused a plume of grey smoke to rise above the scene.

The wounded, along with the bodies of the dead, have been taken to provincial capital hospitals, the official said, adding that those in critical conditions will be transferred to the neighboring Balkh province.

The Muslims'biggest three-day festival of Eid-ul-Adha falls on Friday Oct. 26, it is also known as festival of sacrifice and is being celebrated worldwide on the 10th day of Duhl-Hijja, the last month of the Islamic year.

---

from France24:

The attacker was wearing a police uniform when he blew himself up in the crowded Eid Gah mosque in the provincial capital of Faryab province, deputy provincial governor Abdul Satar Barez told AFP.
             
"As a result of the explosion, 32 people are dead, 17 civilians and 15 police and intelligence agents. The provincial police chief, Abdul Khaliq Aqsai is among the wounded," he said.
             
Most provincial government officials were also at the mosque, which was crowded on the first day of the four-day holiday for the festival of Eid, which is celebrated throughout the Muslim world.
             
"We had just finished Eid-ul-Adha prayers and we were congratulating and hugging each other," Barez said.
             
"Suddenly a big explosion took place and the area was full of dust and smoke and body parts of police and civilians were all over the place. It was a very powerful explosion."

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Isaf Solider Killed in Insider Attack in Uruzgan on Thursday

An Afghan police officer on Thursday turned his weapon against Isaf forces in southern Uruzgan province, killing one soldier and wounding another, local officials told TOLOnews.

Isaf Joint Command confirmed one coalition soldier was "killed in action" in Afghanistan's south but it could not confirm or deny the attack was done by an Afghan police officer.

TOLOnews reported earlier that the soldier was Australian according to statements from two Uruzgan officials. But Isaf has since confirmed this is incorrect.

Isaf declined to identify the nationality of the soldier as per its protocal to leave identification to the national authorities.

The 'insider' shooting took place in the police headquarters of Uruzgan's Khas district by a police officer who had been in the provincial force for some months.

A senior Afghan police official, who asked not to be named, said the police officer was a trusted member of the police force.

One of the soldiers was killed instantly and the one who was wounded was transported in a helicopter from the scene, the official said.

The shooter has escaped, he added.

More than 50 Isaf soldiers have been killed in insider or 'green-on-blue' attacks this year.

The shooting comes a day after the Eid message from Taliban leader Mullah Omar urging the Afghan security forces to turn their weapons against the Nato-led forces.

from TOLOnews
Thursday, 25 October 2012 15:51
Written by TOLOnews.com 

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U.S. Forces-Afghanistan Casualties

2012-10-US-004                                 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   KABUL, Afghanistan (Oct. 25, 2012) — Two U.S. Forces-Afghanistan service members died after an individual wearing an Afghan National Police uniform turned his weapon against them in Khas Uruzgan, Uruzgan.     The incident is currently under investigation. It is USFOR-A policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the U.S. Department of Defense.

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British troops killed in friendly fire in southern Afghanistan

According to local authorities in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan, British troops based in southern Helmand province killed two of their comrades in a friendly fire in this province.

Provincial security chief spokesman Farid Ahmad Farhang confirming the report said the incident took place in Greshk district while British troops were patrolling in the area.

Mr. Farhang further added, “A group of British troops opened fire on an Afghan national police and killed him.”

He said, “British troops were then attacked by a group of other British soldiers who were also patrolling in the area, killing two service members.”

The incident took place on Wednesday evening around 5 pm local time at Malgir area in Greshk district.

This comes as Afghan security forces have repeatedly attacked NATO troops in Afghanistan however this is the first incident where NATO troops have been mistakenly killed by their comrades.

The green on blue attacks in Afghanistan created tensions among the Afghan and NATO officials and the Afghan defense ministry during the recent months dismissed several Afghan national army officers suspected of having difficulties in their documents.

Meanwhile local officials in Helmand province said the deceased Afghan police officer was also mistakenly killed by British troops while he was preparing for the prayers.

Reports suggest that British troops are patrolling in local clothings in order to capture the militants which resulted in death of two British soldiers who were also patrolling in the same area.

from KHAAMA
By Sayed Jawad - Thu Oct 25, 1:42 pm
---

UPDATE from News Republic:

Thursday, October 25, 2012 2:11 PM GMT


British troops killed two of their own soldiers in a "friendly fire" incident in Afghanistan, Afghan police said Thursday, while Britain's Ministry of Defence said the shooting was still under investigation.
Two British soldiers, one of them a female medic, and a man believed to be an Afghan policeman died in the incident in Helmand province, the ministry said in London, adding that it did not know at this stage what initiated the gunfire.
Helmand police spokesman Farid Ahmad Farhang said the deaths were due to a mistaken belief by a British patrol that they were under fire from insurgents -- while the shooting actually came from a second British patrol.
"There were two groups of British soldiers foot-patrolling an area called Malgir in Greshk district yesterday at around 5:00 pm," Farhang said.
"As one group proceeded to a village they saw a policeman in civilian clothes performing ablutions (before prayers). The British soldiers thought he was a Talib and opened fire on him, killing him on the spot.
"The second group of British soldiers who were coming from a distance thought they were attacked by the Taliban and opened fire in the direction they had heard the gunfire, killing two of their colleagues," Farhang said.
This version of events was confirmed by Mohammad Ismail Hotak, the head of the coordination centre of Afghan forces in Helmand province.
Farhang said local officials with NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) had "confirmed it was a mistake and friendly fire which killed the two British".
In Kabul an ISAF spokesman told AFP: "We are tracking that reporting and at this point I'll call it a rumour that's out there.
"Unfortunately there is an ongoing assessment being done to look into the cause of that event and we do not have definitive operational reporting at this time to confirm that.
"Hopefully we will get some kind of resolution sometime today or tomorrow."
Britain's ministry of defence said: "There was an exchange of gunfire that resulted in the deaths of a Royal Marine... a female soldier from 3 Medical Regiment and an Afghan man who is believed to be a member of the Afghan Uniformed Police but who was not wearing uniform at the time.
"The UK patrol were not working with any Afghan partners at the time."
The spokesman added: "At this stage we do not know what initiated the exchange of gunfire and an investigation is ongoing. Further details will be provided as information becomes available but at this time the situation remains unclear."

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