Suicide Bomber Kills 10 Afghan Police

A suicide bombing in northern Afghanistan has killed 10 policemen, including the local counter-terrorism chief.

Authorities say the suicide bomber was driving a motorcycle when he blew himself up at an intersection in Kunduz city Saturday. The explosion wounded at least 18 other people.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Suicide attacks by insurgents are frequent across Afghanistan.

On Friday, a suicide car bomber attacked a NATO convoy in eastern Afghanistan, killing five civilians. No NATO service members were harmed in the explosion.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for that attack.

from VOA News
January 26, 2013

Related articles

• Ten policemen killed in Afghanistan suicide attack: official (dawn.com)
• Government officials killed in Kunduz suicide bombing (khaama.com)

Read More

Clash between Pakistani Taliban, militia said to kill 31

(Reuters) - At least 31 people were killed when Pakistan Taliban attacked a pro-government militia, according to reports from the two sides on Saturday, but the Taliban were beaten back after hours of fierce fighting.

About 300 Taliban armed with mortars and rocket-propelled grenades launched the overnight assault in the Maiden area of Tirah, a maze of valleys on a route from Afghanistan to the city of Peshawar, a fighter of the pro-government Ansar ul-Islam militia said.

The militia beat the Taliban back, killing 15 and capturing 8, while three villagers, including an elderly woman, were killed in crossfire, he said.

A Taliban fighter said they killed 13 members of the pro-government militia.

Since 2009, the Pakistani military and pro-government militias have been clawing back territory from the Taliban, who once controlled land a few hours' drive from the capital of Islamabad.

Pakistani government officials say the NATO withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan in 2014 might strengthen the Taliban in Pakistan. The Afghan and Pakistani Taliban are separate groups but strong allies.

from REUTERS
By Jibran Ahmad
PESHAWAR, Pakistan | Sat Jan 26, 2013 2:30pm EST
(Reporting by Katharine Houreld; editing by Andrew Roche)

Read More

Jan. 26., 2013. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces killed three insurgents, located two weapons caches and cleared seven improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Jan. 25.

Khowst province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared an IED in Terezayi district.

Afghan and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Spera district. The cache contained small arms munitions and several blocks of C4.

Ghazni province
Afghan and coalition forces killed three insurgents during an engagement in Andar district.

Afghan and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Gelan district.

Afghan and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Moqur district.

Wardak province
Afghan and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Sayed Abad district.

Paktya province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces discovered a cache in Dzadran district. The cache contained mortars, ammunition and IED making materials.

Afghan and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Dzadran district.

Laghman province
Afghan National Army soldiers cleared two IEDs in Dowlat Shah district.

Operations in RC-East are ongoing.

Read More

Suicide bombing kill or injure at least 8 in Ghazni province

According to local authorities in eastern Ghazni province of Afghanistan, a heavy explosion rocked central Ghazni city on Saturday.

Provincial security chief Gen. Mohammad Hussain confirming the report said the explosion took place due to a suicide bomb attack in Kulah-Sabz area.

He said at least 3 people including the suicide bomber were killed and 5 others including two Afghan security forces were injured following the blast.

Ghazni is among the relatively volatile region in eastern Afghanistan where Taliban militants and other insurgents are openly operating in a number of its districts.

In the meantime provincial hospital chief Baz Mohammad Hemat said at least eight people who were injured following the blast have been taken to this hosptial so far.

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

from KHAAMA
By Sayed Jawad - January 26 2013, 1:17 pm

Read More

Jan. 25., 2013. - ISAF Joint Command Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces killed al-Qaeda associated Taliban leader, Wali, during a security operation in Dangam district, Kunar province, Jan. 24.

Wali was a Taliban leader and al-Qaeda facilitator who coordinated activities between the Taliban and al-Qaeda within the province, and organized attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Dangam district. He also oversaw the movement of weapons and suicide vest components.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, Jan. 25. The leader coordinated and conducted direct fire and improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, and provided weapons and IEDs to other insurgents in the district.

In Nawah-ye Barakzai district, Helmand province, Jan. 25, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader who oversaw a group of insurgents responsible for improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also procured and distributed homemade explosives and IED-making materials to insurgents operating in Nawah-ye Barakzai and Nad ‘Ali districts.

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested an improvised explosive device expert in Spin Boldak district, Kandahar province, Jan. 24. The Taliban IED expert constructed, distributed and emplaced IEDs targeting Afghan and coalition forces. He was also helped acquire explosives, weapons and ammunition for attacks against Afghan National Directorate of Security offices in the province. During the operation, the security force also detained one suspected insurgent.

East

During a security operation in Andar district, Ghazni province, Jan. 24, an Afghan and coalition force killed the Taliban leader, Alaudin. Alaudin oversaw a group of insurgents responsible for conducting remote-controlled improvised explosive device and small-arms fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. Prior to his death, Alaudin was planning attacks against Afghan National Police in Ghazni province.

In Khost district, Khost province, Jan. 25, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani leader who distributed weapons to Haqqani insurgents operating within Musa Khel district and planned and conducted attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. During the operation, the security force also detained one suspected insurgent and seized multiple weapons and ammunition.

An Afghan and coalition force detained three suspected insurgents during a security operation in search of a Taliban facilitator in Khugyani district, Nangarhar province, today. The facilitator coordinates improvised explosive device and suicide attacks against Afghan government officials and Afghan and coalition forces. During the operation, the security force seized IED components, weapons and ammunition.

Read More

3 Georgian soldiers injured in Afghan militants attack

According to Georgian defense officials, at least three Georgian service members were injured following militants attack in Afghanistan.
The officials further adeed, the incident took place after insurgents opened fire as they were out on patrol.

Corporal Erekle Kharshiladze and Junior Sergeant Iaho Kakulia received minor injuries. According to the Georgian Defense Ministry, their health condition is stable. They have been moved to the US Military Hospital in Landstuhl, Germany for medical treatment.

The officials did not disclose further information regarding the exact location of the incident however they confirmed a third soldier, Private Guram Chimakhidze, was hit by an explosion from an antipersonnel mine while on patrol and was seriously injured as a result.

He was moved to Bastion Hospital, and his health condition is stable. He will also be moved to the Landstuhl Hospital in Germany in the near future.

Georgia has deployed around 1700 troops under the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Around 19 Georgian troops have been killed in various incidents since the beginning of their mission in Afghanistan.

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - January 25 2013, 9:29 am

Read More

5 civilians killed, 20 injured in Kapisa suicide attack

Tagab District (in Green) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

CHARIKAR (PAN): Five civilians were killed and 20 others injured in a suicide attack on an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) convoy in the Tagab district of central Kapisa province on Friday, an official said.

The explosion took place at around 7am in a bazaar near Qalay-i-Saleh village, the district's administrative chief, Abdul Qudus Safi, told Pajhwok Afghan News. He said five civilians, including two children, were killed and 20 others injured in the attack.

Without commenting on their condition, he said the injured were under medical treatment at a hospital.

Meanwhile, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing, saying that the target was an ISAF convoy passing the area. The group's spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid said 12 NATO-led soldiers were killed and two of its vehicles damaged.

But the NATO-led force rejected the claim as groundless. “At this time, there are no reports of ISAF fatalities or injuries, but initial reports indicate the blast killed several Afghan civilians.” a statement from the force said.

from Pajhwok
By Farid Tanha Jan 25, 2013 - 09:55
---

Suicide bomb blast rocks Kapisa province of Afghanistan

According to local authorities in eastern Kapisa province of Afghanistan, a suicide bomber detonated his explosives at Tagab district on Friday morning.
Deputy provincial governor Aziz-ur-Rahman Tawab confirming the reports said at least five civilians were killed and over ten others were wounded following the blast.

Mr. Tawab further added the suicide bomber was looking to target a convoy of the NATO troops however the bomber detonated explosives packed in the vehicle near a residential house.

The incident took place in Jalo Khel area at Tagab district.

In the meantime Taliban militants group claimed responsibility behind the incident and a spokesman for the Taliban group Zabiullah Mujahid claimed at least 12 US troops were killed and two tanks were completely damaged following the attack.

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed the attack. ”According to our reports, there was a vehicle attack on the coalition convoy in Tagab district, but we have no reports of coalition deaths or injuries,” said Les Carroll, an ISAF spokesman.



from KHAAMA
By Sajad - January 25 2013, 11:50 am 

Read More

Five militants killed in TTP, Ansarul Islam clash in Khyber tribal region

PESHAWAR: Five militants were killed and many others injured in a clash between the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Ansarul Islam (AI) militant groups Friday in Khyber tribal region’s Tirah Valley area whereas an abandoned headquarter of Mullah Nabi Hanfi was blown up in Kando Kallay area of Hangu.
Official sources said that TTP and AI militants clashed in Maidan village of Tirah Valley in Khyber tribal region leaving five militants dead while many others were injured.

The sources said that the death toll was likely to increase as the skirmish had not ended yet.

In another incident security forces blew up an abandoned headquarters belonging to militant commander Mullah Nabi in Hangu district’s Kando Kalley area. There were no casualties reported as the building was already abandoned by the militants.

Meanwhile Peshawar’s Pharipura police seized over a hundred repeater guns and arrested an accused during a raid on a house, according SP
City Khalid Hamdani.

Speaking to media he said that the police also seized more than 20,000 bullets and arrested an Afghan suspect while the godown had been sealed and investigations into other members of the gang were underway.

SP Hamdani further said that the weapons were stored in the raided godown from where they were smuggled to Karachi and other parts of the country.

As for the security arrangements for Eid Miladun Nabi (PBUH) gatherings and processions in Peshawar, more than 1,300 police personnel were deployed to guard the processions routes while the entire city would remain sealed after Friday (jumma) prayers.

Pillion riding and display and use of weapons was banned under Section 144 imposed in the city wehreas mobile phone services also remained suspended for the day.

from DAWN
by Zahir Shah Sherazi
Jan.25.2013.

Read More

Yemen: Arabian al-Qaida's Number 2 is Dead

Deputy leader of al-Qaida in Yemen, Said al-Shihri, a Saudi national identified as Guantanamo prisoner number 372, speaks in a video posted on Islamist websites, January 24, 2009.

Yemen says a Saudi national freed by U.S. authorities from detention at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and who later rose to second in command of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, has died.

A government statement Thursday said Said al-Shihri died of wounds sustained in a counter-terrorism operation in late November.  The Yemeni state news agency said he had been in a coma since then.  Neither the agency nor a statement Thursday from the Supreme National Security Committee gave the date of death, but a leading Saudi newspaper [Ukaz] said it occurred in late December. 

Yemen had previously announced al-Shihri's death in a September 10 drone attack in Hadramawt province.  But subsequent DNA testing proved the body recovered was not that of al-Shihri.  Weeks later, a speaker in an audio tape played on terrorist websites identified himself as al-Shihri to deny his own death.

A classified Pentagon report made public by WikiLeaks in 2011 identified al-Shihri as a former officer in Saudi Arabia's internal security force who later joined al-Qaida to help route Saudi militants through Iran for combat in Afghanistan.

He was detained in 2002 by Pakistan and turned over to U.S. authorities.  He was released from U.S. detention at Guantanamo Bay five years later and returned to Saudi Arabia, where he was subjected to a Saudi rehabilitation program for militants.  He later surfaced on the battlefield in Yemen.

from VOA News
January 24, 2013

Read More

Jan. 25., 2013. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces killed one insurgent, located one weapons cache and cleared four improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Jan. 24.

Kunar province

Afghan National Security Forces killed an insurgent during an engagement in Manogai district.

Afghan National Army soldiers found and safely cleared an IED in Nurgal district.

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

Khowst province

Afghan Border Police found and safely cleared an IED in Khowst district.

Ghazni province

Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Khwajah Omari district. The cache contained small arms ammunition, rifles, IED-making materials and combat gear.

Afghan and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Ghazni district.

Operations in RC-East are ongoing.

Read More