Police arrest Islamic militant leader in Nigeria

Monday, December 19, 2011 – According to Nigerian security officials, police forces arrested one of the leaders of Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram following a shoot-out in the northern city of Kano.

The officials further added, the leader was Mohammad Hamza Aliyu was detained while he was struggling to flee the city following armed clashes outside of his residential place.

Ibrahim Idrees, chief of the Kano state police said, at least police officers and four militants were killed during the armed clashes.

Boko Haram is a Nigerian Islamist group that seeks the imposition of Shariah law throughout the whole of Nigeria.

The group’s official name is Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, which in Arabic means “People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad”.

It became known internationally following sectarian violence in Nigeria in 2009 and has staged numerous attacks across northern and central Nigeria.

The group also claimed responsibility behind the deadly bomb attack at the UN headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city. At least 23 people were killed during the incident.

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• Police arrest Islamic militant leader in Nigeria (khaama.com)
• Boko Haram Terrorists Kill 5 Nigerians (sgt-jim.blogspot.com)

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NATO to continue night time military operations in Afghanistan

Monday, December 19, 2011 – NATO-led International Security Assistance Force officials in Afghanistan emphasized on the importance of night time military operations in Afghanistan and insisted to continue the operations until Afghan security forces become fully prepared to take the security responsibilities.

A NATO spokesman in Afghanistan said, the night time military operations will be conducted in full coordination with the Afghan security forces.

This comes as Afghan president Hamid Karzai have long been criticizing the night time military operations by foreign troops in the country.

Afghan officials insist that night time military operations by NATO forces creates fear among the Afghan civilians and creates a distance among the Afghan government civilians.

But NATO officials defend their stance and emphasize for the importance of night time military operations to for a crackdown on militants activities.

The recent comments by NATO spokesman indicates that night time operatins will continue for at least another 3 years, till Afghan security forces will take the complete security responsibilities across the country.

Tension between Afghan government and NATO troops over night time operations once again escalated to highest level after NATO troops following a night military operation killed and injured at least four Afghan women in eastern Paktia province.

All the four victims belonged Paktia provincial counter-narcotics chief family members where NATO forces carried out a military attack few days back.

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• NATO to continue night time military operations in Afghanistan (khaama.com)

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Dec. 19., 2011. - ISAF Joint Command Evening Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – A combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered a weapons cache during a routine patrol in Deh Yak district, Ghazni province, today.

The cache consisted one 120 mm projectile, three 30 mm rounds, 30 20 mm rounds, 30 50 caliber rounds and one jug containing approximately 40 pounds (18 kilograms) of explosive material. All of the munitions were confiscated by the force and will be destroyed at a later date.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

A combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered a drug cache during a routine patrol in Zharay district, Kandahar province, today. The cache consisted of approximately 995 pounds (454 kilograms) of hashish. Security forces destroyed the drugs on site without incident.

A coalition security force discovered six improvised explosive devices during a routine patrol in Panjwa’i district, Kandahar province, today. Two of the IEDs contained approximately 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) of explosive material and the other three contained approximately 100 pounds (45 kilograms) of explosive material. Security forces destroyed all IED on site without incident.

East

A combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered a weapons cache during a routine patrol in Bahsud district, Nangarhar province, yesterday. The cache consisted of seven mortar rounds, eight artillery rounds, two grenades and one rocket-propelled grenade. All of the munitions were confiscated by the force and will be destroyed at a later date.

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