4 children of a family killed in Kandahar blast

Districts of Kandahar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

KANDAHAR CITY (PAN): Four childern of a family were killed and a teenage girl wounded when a Taliban-planted bomb exploded in southern Kandahar province on Tuesday, an official said.

The explosion took place in the Raski area of Maroof district, where the children were playing, Javed Faisal, the governor’s spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

He said when the children were playing with the bomb that they mistook for a toy. He blamed the Taliban for planting the explosive device in the village.

from Pajhwok
By Bashir Ahmad Naadem Apr 23, 2013 - 20:44

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Apr. 24., 2013. - ISAF Joint Command Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force killed two insurgents during an operation in search of a Taliban leader in Nad ‘Ali district, Helmand province, yesterday.

The leader is believed to be responsible for purchasing and distributing improvised explosive device components to other Taliban members, participated in IED and small arms fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, and provides intelligence to senior Taliban leaders in Helmand province.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

An Afghan and coalition security force killed one insurgent during an operation in search of a Taliban leader in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, yesterday. The leader is believed to oversee improvised explosive device emplacement operations throughout district. He is known to arrange large shipments of weapons and IED components into Helmand province for use in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He has also participated in assassinations against Afghan National Security Force members and provided intelligence to senior Taliban leaders.

Afghan Provincial Response Company Zabul, enabled by coalition forces detained a number of insurgents and seized 60 kilograms (132 pounds) of ammonium nitrate aluminum powder during cordon and search operations in Shinkay and Qalat districts, Zabul province, yesterday. The seized ammonium nitrate aluminum powder, which is commonly used by the insurgency in the manufacturing of IED’s, was destroyed on site.

Afghan and coalition security forces confirmed today the death of a Taliban leader, Mullah Abdul Zahir, during an operation in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, Monday. Zahir oversaw IED emplacement operations throughout Nahr-e Saraj. He was directly responsible for arranging large shipments of weapons and IED components into Helmand province for use in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He has also participated in assassinations against Afghan National Security Force members and provided intelligence to senior Taliban leaders.

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NATO soldiers killed in militants attack in Afghanistan

At least two NATO troops were killed following militants attack in eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday.

NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) following a statement announced, “Two International Security Assistance Force service members died following an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan today.”

The statement did not disclose further information regarding the exact location of the incident and nationalities of the deceased soldiers.

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) generally do not disclose identities of the NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan saying, “It is ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities.”

At least 33 NATO soldiers including 27 US troops, 3 British troops and 3 soldiers from the other NATO member countries have been killed in Afghanistan since the beginning of 2012, which raises the number of coalition forces casualties to 3,282 service members since the beginning of US-led invasion in Afghanistan in 2001, according to icasualties which tracks the number of NATO troops casualties in Afghanistan.

from KHAAMA
By Sayed Jawad - 23 Apr 2013, 8:33 pm

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ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan – Two International Security Assistance Force service members died following an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan today.

It is ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities.

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Taliban abduct 9 Afghan deminers in Kandahar province

According to officials in southern Kandahar province of Afghanistan, at least nine Afghan deminers were kidnapped by unknown gunmen in this province.
The officials further added, the incident took place in restive Maiwand district.

Provincial governor spokesman Jawid Faisal confirming the report said the deminers were held while they were on their way back from the minefield on Monday.

Mr. Faisal further added the deminers were returning from the field in two vehicles and were abducted by unknown gunmen.

Provincial police chief Gen. Abdul Raziq also confirmed the report and said Afghan security forces have launched a search operation to rescue the deminers.

Taliban militants group claimed responsibility behind the abduction.

from KHAAMA
By Sayed Jawad - 23 Apr 2013, 3:15 pm

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Canada thwarts "al Qaeda-backed" train plot, Iran denies role

VIA 66 leaving Toronto on its way to Montreal (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

(Reuters) - Canadian police have arrested two men and charged them with plotting to derail a Toronto-area passenger train in an operation that they say was backed by al Qaeda elements in Iran.
"Had this plot been carried out, it would have resulted in innocent people being killed or seriously injured," Royal Canadian Mounted Police official James Malizia told reporters on Monday.

U.S. officials said the attack would have targeted a rail line between New York and Toronto, a route that travels along the Hudson Valley and enters Canada near Niagara Falls.

The RCMP said it had arrested Chiheb Esseghaier, 30, of Montreal, and Raed Jaser, 35, of Toronto in connection with the plot. Authorities said it was not linked to last week's Boston Marathon bombings, which killed three people and injured more than 200.

Neither suspect is a Canadian citizen, and police did not reveal their nationalities. Two sources following the investigation said one was Tunisian.

Canada's intelligence agency has long expressed concern about the possibility that disgruntled and radicalized Canadians could attack targets at home and abroad.

Police gave little detail about the alleged plotters, but said a tip from the Muslim community had helped their year-long investigation.

Esseghaier has been a doctoral student at the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique near Montreal since 2010 and was about midway through his degree, the school said.

"He is doing a PhD in the field of energy and materials sciences," said Julie Martineau, the school's director of communications.

A bail hearing for the two men was due to take place in Toronto on Tuesday morning.

Read the full article here, on REUTERS website

By Euan Rocha and Alastair Sharp
TORONTO | Tue Apr 23, 2013 10:43am BST
(Additional reporting by Mark Hosenball in Washington, Louise Egan in Ottawa and Marcus George in Dubai; writing by Cameron French; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

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Afghans protest against US special forces in Baghlan province

According to local authorities in northern Baghlan province of Afghanista, US special forces arrested a Mullah Imam (cleric) of a mosque in Doshi district on Monday night.

Doshi district chief Shamsuddin Sarhadi said hundreds of local residents protested against the detention of Mawlavi Baaz Mohammad on Tuesday.

Mr. Sarhadi further added that protesters have also blocked Kabul-Baghlan highway.

In the meantime the protesters warned that they will launch a widespread demonstration if US special forces does not free Mawlavi Baaz Mohammad.

The Mullah Imam has reportedly been arrested for having connections with the militants in this province however the protesters denied his link with any insurgent groups.

Local officials are also saying that Mawlavi Baaz Mohammad had close cooperation with the government.

This comes as hundreds of Wardak residents protested against the US special force over military operations and urged them to leave the province.

from KHAAMABy Meena Haseeb - 23 Apr 2013, 1:59 pm

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Apr. 23., 2013. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security and coalition forces detained 10 suspected insurgents, discovered one weapons cache and found and safely cleared six improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, April 22.

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

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

Afghan National Security and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED, detained 10 suspected insurgents and discovered a weapons cache during operations in the Mehtar Lam district. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning. The cache contained 34 IEDs and homemade explosive materiel.

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

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Car Bomb Wounds 2 at French Embassy in Tripoli

Libyan security forces gather outside the French embassy building in Tripoli following a car bomb attack, April 23, 2013.

France has condemned a car bombing at its embassy in the Libyan capital, calling the attack a heinous act.

Officials say the explosion early Tuesday at the embassy in the Hay Andalus area of Tripoli wounded two guards and caused extensive damage. The Libyan Foreign Ministry calls the attack a "terrorist" incident.

French President Francois Hollande says his government expects Libyan authorities to help make the circumstances of the attack clear in order to bring those responsible to justice.

He also says the bombing targets all countries involved in fighting terrorism.

Libya has struggled with instability and violence since the ouster of long-time dictator Moammar Gadhafi in late 2011.

An attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi last September killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans.

from VOA News
April 23, 2013

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more photos from XINHUA:

Libyan security personnel gather outside the French embassy following a car bomb blast, in Tripoli, Libya, April 23, 2013. A car bomb exploded early Tuesday near the French embassy in the Libyan capital, injuring at least two guards, security sources said. (Xinhua/Hamza Turkia)

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R.I.P. - Pfc. Barrett L. Austin

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Pfc. Barrett L. Austin, 20, of Easley, S.C., died April 21 in Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries sustained when his vehicle was attacked by an enemy improvised explosive device in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, April 17.  He was assigned to the 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

            For more information media may contact the Fort Stewart public affairs office at 912-435-9874 during duty hours.  After duty hours call 912-767-8666 and ask for the on-call public affairs officer.

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from foxcarolina:

Posted: Apr 22, 2013 3:32 AM Updated: Apr 22, 2013 10:18 PM
By Dal Kalsi

DACUSVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) - An Upstate soldier serving in Afghanistan died after his vehicle was attacked by an enemy improvised explosive device.

Pfc. Barrett Austin, 20, of Easley, died from injuries he sustained last Thursday, according to his grandfather, Donald Austin.
Family said Barrett Austin was driving a military vehicle when he ran over an explosive device. The device detonated, leaving Barrett Austin severely injured.
According to the military, the attack happened in the Wardak Province on April 17. He was assigned to the 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA.
According to Donald Austin, his grandson was flown to an Army hospital in Germany. His parents and his wife, Heather, were at his bedside when Barrett Austin passed away Sunday afternoon, according to family.
The family is expected to return with Barrett Austin's remains on Wednesday.

Funeral plans have not yet been announced.

According to a memorial Facebook group set up in Barrett Austin's memory, he attended Dacusville and Pickens high schools, where flags were flown at half-staff on Monday.

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3 police killed in insider attack in Faryab

Districts of Faryab. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

KABUL (PAN): A policeman shot dead his three colleagues in northern Faryab province while two policemen and as many insurgents were killed in southern Helmand, officials said on Monday.
The incident in Faryab took place as a result of a dispute among the policemen manning a checkpoint on the Maimana-Herat highway, the provincial police chief said.

Brig. Gen. Nabi Jan Mullahkhel told Pajhwok Afghan News the attacker, Alauddin, joined the Taliban after killing three policemen and injuring the post commander.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yousaf Ahmadi said Alauddin -- a supporter of the insurgent movement -- had killed four policemen.

Separately, two fighters and as many policemen were killed on Monday when the Taliban attacked a patrol in the Wazirabad area of Khanshin district, said the governor’s spokesman, Omar Zwak.

The attackers managed to flee, leaving behind the bodies of their associates, he said.

from Pajhwok
By Qutbuddin Kohi Apr 22, 2013 - 18:17   

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