Nigeria: Boko Haram Kills 4, Robs Bank in Maiduguri

Suspected members of extremist Islamist sect, Boko Haram killed four people yesterday in Borno State when they robbed a bank and stormed a police station.

The gunmen killed two people during a raid on a bank in Askira town in the early hours of the day before attacking the local police station, where an officer and a civilian were shot dead, local government spokesman Malam Yuthama said.

The strikes come less than two days after suspected sect members freed 14 people in a prison break in neighbouring Yobe State and attacked a nearby police station. Three members of BokoHaram died during those attacks, the local police said.

Months of gun and bomb attacks blamed on the sect have killed hundreds since it launched an uprising more than two years ago to try to carve out an Islamic state in Nigeria.

Nigerian forces have been carrying out house-to-house searches this week in the sect's home town of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state. Similar crackdowns in the past have pushed attacks into neighbouring states, including Yobe.

One of BokoHaram's primary demands is that its members are freed from prison. While the government has refused any releases. There have been several jail breaks in the northeast in the last year.

from allAfrica

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Bombs kill 7, injure 70 in S. Thailand

Locator map of Yala Province, Thailand (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

BANGKOK, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Three bomb explosions killed seven people and wounded about 70 on Saturday in the heart of the restive southern province of Yala, the Bangkok Post online reported.

The blasts took place just minutes apart from the Ruam Mitr intersection in the main business center of Yala municipality around noon on Saturday.

Colonel Pramote Promin, a spokesman for the southern army region, told media that seven people are confirmed dead, more than 70 others were wounded, some of whom were in critical condition.

The colonel said there were three bombs that exploded. The first is a car bomb and the second and third bombs were hidden in motorcycles.

The first bomb was hidden in a motorcycle parked outside a karaoke shop. Insurgents detonated the second and third bombs, which had been hidden in cars, when the authorities rushed to check the first explosion.

Several shophouses near the blast sites were on fire and many parked cars and motorcycles were damaged by the powerful explosions.

The injured were sent to the Yala hospital.

Meanwhile, a policeman was wounded in a separate motorcycle bomb attack in Mae Lan district of neighboring Pattani province on Saturday afternoon, local media reported.

Authorities were investigating and blamed separatist militants for the attacks.

Since the resurgence of insurgency in 2004, around 11,000 violent incidents instigated by secessionists in the Muslim- dominant southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat happened, with almost 5,000 people killed and nearly 8,000 injured.


update:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/286901/14-die-in-southern-carnage

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Al-Qaida militants seize military site in Yemen's restive south, 28 killed

Yemen division 2012-3-11 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

ADEN, Yemen, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Militants of the Yemen-based al-Qaida branch seized a military site after deadly confrontations with government troops, leaving at least 20 army soldiers and eight militants killed in the volatile southern province of Lahj on Saturday, an army officer told Xinhua.

Up to 20 militants stormed an army barrack of the 201st Mechanized Army Brigade in the northwestern suburbs of the insurgents-controlled town of Jaar in Lahj province, killing at least 20 soldiers and setting off two explosions at the military site after the retreat of the army troops, the local army officer said on condition of anonymity.

During the fighting, at least eight al-Qaida militants were killed and dozens of others from both sides injured, the officer said.

After three hours of fierce fighting, Yemeni army forces left the army base and retreated from the region, he said.

In a text message sent to Xinhua on Saturday, an al-Qaida spokesman said the terrorist group killed a total of 30 soldiers in the attack that targeted the army site.

"During the battle, our holy war fighters attacked an army base, killing more than 30 soldiers and many others surrendered... we managed to seize the base along with its heavy weaponry, tanks and armored vehicles," the message said.

Al-Qaida militants who took advantage of the conflicts in the country have seized several towns in Abyan and Shabwa provinces after severe fighting with government troops backed by U.S. drones.

In January 2009, al-Qaida affiliates in Saudi Arabia and Yemen officially merged and formed Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula ( AQAP).

The group, mainly entrenching itself in Yemen's southern provinces of Abyan and Shabwa, is on the terrorist list of the United States, which considers it as an increasing threat to its national security.

The AQAP underscores the challenges faced by Yemen's new President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi who won support from major Yemeni political forces, the United States and Saudi Arabia.

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Grenade attacks rock Rwanda's capital city

KIGALI, March, 31 (Xinhua) -- Grenades exploded early Saturday Morning in two different places in Rwanda's capital city of Kigali, resulting in six people injured, this was confirmed by the spokesman of Rwanda's National Police Theos Badege.

The first blast occurred within Kigali City, close to a newly constructed eight-story complex building, injuring three people.

The second one went off about three minutes later after the first attack, in a high-class commercial and residential center called Nyarutarama, also injuring three people.

According to Radio Rwanda, Badege confirmed that all together six were injured and two people were in serious condition, and four suspected people have been arrested for questioning.

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5 militants killed in eastern Afghanistan

Kamdesh District in the Nuristan Province in Afghanistan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

KABUL, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Five militants were killed by police in a clash after the Taliban launched an attack on a check point in the eastern Afghan province of Nuristan, the country's Interior Ministry said on Saturday.

"Five Taliban militants, including a senior commander of the insurgents namely Mullah Abdul Rahim, were killed after the Afghan National Police (ANP) repelled their attack on a police check point in Kamdish district of Nuristan province Friday night," the ministry said in a statement.

Four militants were also injured in the clash while there were no casualties on the ANP, the statement added.

Taliban militants fighting Afghan and NATO troops have yet to make comments.

Afghan forces and NATO-led coalition troops have intensified cleanup operations against the Taliban and other militant groups across the country recently as spring and summer, known as " fighting season", are drawing near. Over 350 insurgents have been killed and more than 840 others detained during military operations in the country so far this year, according to the Afghan Interior Ministry.

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Children killed in Ghazni acid attack

Map of Afghanistan with Ghazni highlighted (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

GHAZNI CITY (PAN): Security forces discovered the dead bodies of two children, their faces badly disfigured with acid, in the southern province of Ghazni, officials said on Saturday.

Deputy Governor Mohammad Ali Ahmadzai said the Afghan National Army (ANA) found the bodies of a 10-year-old boy and an eight-year-old girl in the Nani area of Andar district.

“ANA soldiers were patrolling the area when they found the corpses of the children and handed them over to the area people,” he told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Ahmadzai said acid had been thrown at the children’s faces. Identities of the victims and motive for the murders were yet to be ascertained, but security personnel had launched a search for the killers, he added.

Public Health Department spokesman Safiullah confirmed that two dead children with burn marks on their faces had been brought to the Ghazni Civil Hospital.

A resident of the area, Eid Mohammad, said he took the children’s bodies to hospital. “I saw the scene where the children were killed. There was an acid jerry can near the corpses and footprints of men and tyre tracks were seen."

So far no one has claimed responsibility for the murders.

from Pajhwok
by younus.nasehon

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R.I.P. - Pfc. Johnathon F. Davis

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

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

            Pfc. Johnathon F. Davis, 20, of Griffin, Ga., died Mar. 29, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from enemy small arms fire.

            Davis was assigned to the 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

            For more information, the media may contact 82nd Airborne public affairs at 910-432-0661.

---

Pfc. Davis is a graduate of Griffin High School. He and his wife are expecting their first child in May.

Related articles

• Griffin soldier killed in Afghanistan (by Arielle Kass, ajc.com)

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Prominent Taliban leader detained in Wardak province

According to local authorities in central eastern Maidan Wardak province a prominent Taliban leader was detained along with the 2 other Taliban fighters following a joint military operation by Afghan and NATO-led international coalition security forces in this province.

The officials further added, the Taliban leader recognized as Saif-ur-Rahman was detained following a joint operation conducted at Jamad Khel area in Syedabad district on Friday evening.

The detained Taliban leader carried out a number of insurgency attacks in this province last year and murdered a number of Afghan civilians over espionage charges and assisting the Afghan government.

In a separate military operation at Jaghato district Afghan and coalition security forces killed an insurgent and seized an AK-47 rifle along with some explosives, the officials added.

Afghan and coalition security forces also seized 4 landmines, 15 mortar missiles, a bag of explosives and some other explosives during an operation at Nerkh district in Zaman Khel area.

Anti-government armed militant groups yet to comment regarding the operations.

from KHAAMA

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34 militants killed and detained in Afghan operations

Afghan Interior Ministry following a press release on Saturday announced, at least 9 insurgents were killed and detained and following military operations by Afghan national police during the past 24 hours. At least 25 insurgents were also detained by Afghan police forces during the military operations.

The source further added, the operations were conducted jointly with the Afghan national army, Afghan intelligence and international coalition security forces at Kabul, Kunduz, Kandahar, Helmand, Nimroz, Logar, Ghazni, Khost and Paktia provinces of Afghanistan.

Afghan security forces also seized 1,390 kilograms of drugs and some weapons, ammunitions and explosives during the operations, Afghan interior ministry officials added.

Afghan security forces also discovered and seized 7 landmines during a separate military operations at Kandahar and Helmand provinces of Afghanistan.

In the meantime local security officials in eastern Paktika province announced Afghan security forces have launched a search operation to detain an Afghan local police officer who killed 9 of his colleagues in this province.

Gen. Gul Nabi Ahmadzai a commander of the Afghan police forces in eastern regions said, the incident took place on Friday night at Yahia Khel district of eastern Paktika province.

Yahia Khel district Bahawal Khan said, the assailant local police officer was recongized as Asadullah and one of his brother was also killed during the incident.

According to local security officials, the assailant local police officer fled the area with a Ranger police vehicle after killing his mates.

from KHAAMA

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Mar.31., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – In Maidan Shahr district, Wardak province, an Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban facilitator during an operation today.

The facilitator provided roadside bombs and other weapons to insurgents for attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces throughout the district.

He is also suspected in the January 2 attack along Highway 2 against a convoy escorted by Afghan security forces. Three Afghan soldiers were wounded.

The security force detained one additional insurgent and seized an Afghan National Police uniform as a result of the operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

An Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban facilitator during an operation in Charhar Darah district, Kunduz province, today. The facilitator managed the insurgent financial network in the province and provided funds that enabled attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces. The security force detained three additional insurgents and no shots were fired during the operation.

South

In Shah Wali Kot district, Kandahar province, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to capture a Taliban facilitator today. The facilitator supplies insurgents with weapons, ammunition and equipment for attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces in Kandahar city. The security force also detained one suspected insurgent.

East

An Afghan and coalition security force captured a Haqqani leader during an operation in Sayyidabad district, Wardak province, today. The leader directed kidnappings and other insurgent operations against Afghan civilians, Afghan security forces and coalition security forces throughout the province. The security force detained two additional insurgents and destroyed multiple AK-47s and grenades on site.

In Bak district, Khost province, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to capture a Haqqani leader today. The leader organizes roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces throughout the district. The security force also detained several suspected insurgents.

An Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to capture a Taliban facilitator in Gardez district, Paktiya province, today. The facilitator supplies insurgents with roadside bombs, weapons and ammunition for attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces throughout the district. The security force also detained three suspected insurgents and seized multiple weapons during the operation.

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Somalia: European Naval Forces Help Somali Fishermen Off Mogadishu Coast

On Thursday 29th March Spanish warship ESPS INFANTA ELENA, operating as part of the European counter piracy force (EUNAVFOR), came to the aid of a Somali fishing vessel, adrift off the coast of Mogadishu.

INFANTA ELENA was patrolling the waters off the coast of Somalia as part of its mission to deter piracy and protect vulnerable shipping when the crew noticed a Somali whaler adrift.

After obtaining permission to send a team aboard the vessel the EU forces ascertained that the fisherman had suffered an engine failure and some of the crew were in need to medical assistance.

Somali Whaler adrift off the coast of Mogadishu. European naval forces assisted the fishermen, and provided them with food and water. (Photo Courtesy EUNAVFOR)

Engineers from the EUNAVFOR ship were able to quickly fix the mechanical problem with the engine, allowing the ship to sail back to shore. Whilst repairs were underway the ships doctors also provided medical assistance to two injured Somalis and gave the whaler's crew food and water.

This encounter once again shows the utility and versatility of the EUNAVFOR mission which not only counters piracy but is committed to assisting the Somali people and promoting the growth of law abiding activities in Somali waters.

from allAfrica

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US drone strikes kill 5 AQAP fighters, 1 civilian in southern Yemen

by Bill Roggio - March 30, 2012 - LWJ

Unmanned US strike aircraft killed five Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula fighters in a pair of strikes in a province in southern Yemen known to serve as a haven for the terror group.

The first strike targeted a vehicle as it was traveling in the city of Azzan in Shabwa province. Four AQAP fighters were killed and three were "critically wounded," Yemeni officials told The Associated Press. Reuters reported that five AQAP fighters and one civilian were killed.

The vehicle is said to have been transporting senior AQAP leaders who had left a mosque in Azzan after Friday prayers, but the identity of those killed has not been disclosed.

In the second strike, the unmanned Predators or Reapers fired missiles at a building in Azzan that is thought to be used by AQAP. Four civilians were said to have been wounded in the strike.

Azzan is one of several cities and towns in southern Yemen that are under the control of AQAP and its political front, Ansar al Shariah. AQAP took control of Azzan in early June 2011, after seizing Zinjibar, the provincial capital of neighboring Abyan province. The cities of Al Koud, Ja'ar, and Shaqra are currently run by AQAP. The terror group also seized control of Rada'a in Al Baydah in January but later withdrew after negotiating a peace agreement with the local government.

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/03/us_drone_strikes_kil.php#ixzz1qeGF2VQa
------
AQAP top leader might have been killed in the US drone attack 

By Nasser Arrabyee,30/03/2012

Four Al Qaeda operatives were killed in a US drone attack on a vehicle moving between two Al Qaeda strongholds in the southern province of Shabwa, said sources in AlQaeda-controlled  hospital late Friday.

"Only four dead bodies arrived here the hospital of Azzan, " the sources said.
" It is very difficult who these bodies are, they are very black."

Other sources said the top leader of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsular (AQAQ), Nasser Al Wahaishi, and Saad Bin Atef, and a Syrian expert on making bombs and explosives, were among those who were in the car.

Meanwhile, armed tribesmen loyal to the Islamist party, Islah, are preparing to control the international airport of the Yemeni capital Sana'a, said local sources Friday.

The militants of Islah, in cooperation with Al Qaeda fighters    in Arhab area, about 30 km north of Sanaa,started early Friday  to attack the 63 brigade (republican guards) with heavy, medium and small size weapons, said the local source from Arhab,

Four armed vehicles  with dozens of militants are positioning now in the area of Asda,about 500 meters away from the 63 brigade, in addition to  similar other positions from two directions of  Assama  mountain which overlooks the airport, the sources said.

Related articles

• US drone strikes kills 5 AQAP fighters in southern Yemen (longwarjournal.org)
• AQAP top leader might have been killed in the US drone attack (http://narrabyee-e.blogspot.com)

• U.S. drones raid al-Qaida militants in southeast Yemen, 7 terrorists killed (news.xinhuanet.com)

   

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Nigeria: Boko Haram claims responsibility for attacks in northern states

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria's Boko Haram militant sect has claimed responsibility for the attacks on a police station, an army lodge and a satellite prison in the two northern states of Kano and Yobe.

The sect launched multiple attacks in Tudun Wada last week and the northeastern town of Damagun in Yobe State, killing scores of people.

The spokesman of the sect, Abu Qaqa, on Thursday said the attack on Damagun was executed to free one of their members held in a satellite prison in the sleepy community.

Qaqa also claimed that three and not eight of the Islamic militia were killed in the attack on Tudun Wada in the Nigeria northwest city of Kano.

The Nigerian police had claimed that they killed eight members of the sect after an attack on a police station.

Related articles

• 1 killed by sect in north Nigeria police attack (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• 1 Killed by Sect in North Nigeria Police Attack (abcnews.go.com)

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Afghan policeman kills 9 sleeping fellow officers

KABUL, Afghanistan — An Afghan policeman killed nine of his fellow officers as they lay sleeping in a village in the eastern Paktika province on Friday, police said, blaming the attack on the Taliban.

Provincial police chief Dawlat Khan Zadran said the incident took place in Yayakhil town of Yayakhil district.

Bowal Khan, chief of Yayakhil district, identified the gunman as Asadullah, who goes by one name. He said the gunman was assigned to a small command post when he woke up at 3 a.m. for guard duty. He then used his assault rifle to kill the nine men sleeping inside the post, took their weapons and piled them in a pickup truck.

According to Khan, Asadullah then sped away in the truck.

Khan said the victims included one of his brothers and the commander of the post, identified as Mohammad Ramazan. He said two of the dead were Ramazan's sons.

The motive for the killing was not known, but police in the area blamed the Taliban for the attack. Paktika is a stronghold of the Haqqani network, a Pakistani-based group with ties to the Taliban and al-Qaida. Although they mostly attack U.S.-led coalition forces, they have often carried out assaults and bombings against the Afghan army and police.

"This man is a coward. What he did is part of the Taliban conspiracy," Khan said.

Khan and Zadran said the killer's two brothers were being held for questioning.

The village police is also known as the Afghan Local Police, or ALP. It is a village-level force that provides security in areas where the Afghan army and police cannot. 

from utsandiego

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US Predator strike kills 4 'militants' in North Waziristan

By Bill Roggio - March 30, 2012 - LWJ

Unmanned US Predator or Reaper strike aircraft killed four "militants" in Pakistan's Taliban-controlled tribal agency of North Waziristan today. The strike is the first in more than two weeks.

The US drones fired a pair of missiles at a house in the bazaar in Miramshah, the main town in North Waziristan, in the middle of the night, according to AFP. "The compound is located in the money changers market in the Miramshah commercial district," the news agency reported.

Pakistani intelligence official said that four "militants" were killed and two more were wounded. The Taliban are reported to be conducting recovery operations at the site of the attack, which is said to be "located in the money changers market."

No senior al Qaeda or Taliban leaders or fighters have been reported killed in today's attack.
Al Qaeda's external operations network has been a prime target of the covert US air campaign in Pakistan's tribal areas. The US has targeted al Qaeda and Taliban camps designated to train operatives holding foreign passports, while the leadership of the external operations branch has also been hit hard. Additionally, the drone program has targeted Taliban and other terror groups who attack NATO and Afghan forces in Afghanistan.

The Haqqani Network, a Taliban group that operates in North Waziristan as well as in eastern Afghanistan, administers the Miramshah area. Al Qaeda leaders and operatives, who are closely allied with the Haqqani Network, shelter in the area, as do other terror groups.

The US has added eight top leaders of the Haqqani Network, Including Sirajudin Haqqani, the terror group's operational commander, to the list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists [see LWJ report, UN adds 2 Haqqani Network leaders to terrorist list]. The Haqqani Network has not been officially designated as a terrorist group despite its overt support for al Qaeda and other terror groups.

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/03/us_predator_strike_k_13.php

Related articles

• US Predator strike kills 4 'militants' in North Waziristan (longwarjournal.org)
• US drone strike kills 4 in Miranshah (geo.tv)

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Dozens of Taliban killed in fighting in west Afghanistan

Districts of Farah. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

(Reuters) - Dozens of Taliban fighters were killed in U.S. air strikes and a gunbattle in western Afghanistan after an insurgent attack on an Afghan army patrol, NATO and Afghan officials said on Friday.

A spokesman of the International Security Assistance Force said the patrol came under attack in Gulistan district in western Farah province on Wednesday, prompting a call for air support.

"Numerous insurgents were killed, and several motorbikes were damaged or destroyed" following two strikes by coalition aircraft, he said.

Abdul Raoof Ahmadi, a police spokesman in western Afghanistan, said 30 Taliban were killed and another 15 wounded in the fighting in the remote area.

Officials have warned of a hard summer ahead as the fighting season resumes and Afghan national forces assume responsibility of security in more parts of the country from NATO combat forces set to leave by the end of 2014.

Taliban are active in parts of Farah including Gulistan, which falls on a desert highway connecting both Kabul and Kandahar to the western city of Heart.

Mohammed Yunus Rasouli, the deputy governor for Farah, said five vehicles of the Afghan national army came under attack when they were crossing Gulistan and three soldiers were burnt inside the vehicle.

"In response, ISAF, the national army and police started a joint operation which still continues," he said, adding he could not give a number of the militants killed.

A Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi said in a text message to reporters that its fighters had killed 40 guards in the attack in Gulistan which he said was carried out on a convoy carrying supplies for
foreign troops.

(Reporting by Sanjeev Miglani and Sharafuddin Sharafyar; Editing by Michael Perry)

Related articles

• Militants ambush NATO supply convoy in Farah (sgt-jim.blogspot.com)

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Mar.30., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan (Mar. 30) — An Afghan-led security force captured a Haqqani leader during an operation in Khost district, Khost province, today.The leader organized roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces throughout the district. He also supplied insurgents with materials for building explosive devices. The security force detained one additional suspected insurgent as a result of this operation. 
In other ISAF news throughout Afghanistan:
 
South
 
An Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader during an operation in Nad ‘Ali district, Helmand province, today. The leader organized roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces in the province. During a search of the compound, the security force also seized material used in the construction of improvised explosives including multiple bags of fertilizer and a large drum of gasoline.

An additional insurgent was also detained.In Maiwand district, Kandahar province, an Afghan led security force captured a Taliban leader during an operation today. The leader coordinated insurgent movement in western Kandahar province for attacks against Afghan and coalition troops. The security force detained two additional insurgents as a result of this operation.
 
East

Finally, a combined Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to capture a Haqqani leader in Pul-e ‘Alam district, Logar province, today. The leader coordinated the manufacturing of roadside bombs and attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces in the district. The security force detained multiple suspected insurgents as a result of the operation.

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NATO base comes under attack in Kunar

Districts of Kunar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

ASADABAD (PAN): The Taliban on Thursday attacked a base of NATO-led troops in the Watapur district of eastern Kunar province, an official said.

Four attackers were killed and two others detained as foreign troops acted in self-defence, an ISAF spokesman in the eastern zone, Sabawoon Hotak, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

The firefight lasted several hours. Resident Abdul Jalil confirmed the NATO base had been attacked, but he had no information about casualties.

A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said two fighters were killed in the attack, that also inflicted heavy losses on foreign soldiers.

from Pajhwok
by Khan Wali Salarzai

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R.I.P. - Capt. Francis D. Imlay

DOD Identifies Air Force Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of an airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Capt. Francis D. Imlay, 31, of Vacaville, Calif., died March 28 from injuries received in an accident involving an F-15 aircraft near a base in Southwest Asia.  He was assigned to the 391st Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.

            For more information media may contact the Air Force 366th Fighter Wing public affairs office at 208-828-6800.

Capt. Francis Imlay, 391st Fighter Squadron pilot, does a pre-flight inspection on an F-15E Strike Eagle at Mountain Home Air Base in August 2001. (Courtesy U.S. Air Force/Airman 1st Class Heather Hayward)

---

The Idaho Statesman newspaper is reporting that the pilot died in a crash and that another crewman from the Idaho base suffered minor injuries in the incident.

In a press release this afternoon, his commander expressed deep sorrow for the loss of the pilot who was nicknamed "Piston."

"It is with a heavy heart I inform you we lost a valued member of the Gunfighter family yesterday," said Col. Ron Buckley, 366th Fighter Wing commander. "Today we mourn the loss of one of our warriors, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and coworkers during this time. He was a true professional and his dedication to the Gunfighter family will not soon be forgotten."

from thereporter.com

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Mar.29., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan (Mar. 29) – An Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to capture a Taliban leader in Shirin Tagab district, Faryab province, yesterday.

The leader is the head of the Taliban commission for the province and coordinates attacks against Afghan and coalition troops in the area.

During the operation, insurgents opened fire on the security force. The force responded, killing multiple insurgents. The force also destroyed multiple AK-47s, rocket-propelled grenades and other grenades.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

An Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to capture a Taliban leader in Khanabad district, Kunduz province, yesterday. The leader directs roadside bomb attacks against Afghan civilians and troops throughout the district. During the operation, insurgents opened fire on the security force. The force responded, killing multiple insurgents and detaining two additional insurgents. Multiple AK-47s and two improvised explosive devices were also discovered and destroyed.

East

In Sherzad district, Nangarhar province, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to capture a Taliban leader today. The leader directs attacks on Afghan and coalition troops in Khogyani district. The security force detained two insurgents and seized multiple weapons, ammunition and more than 22 pounds (10 kilograms) of illegal narcotics.

Finally, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to capture a Haqqani leader in Khost district, Khost province, today. The leader supervises suicide bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces throughout the district. The security force detained multiple suspected insurgents.

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R.I.P. - Sgt. Joseph D’Augustine

DOD Identifies Marine Casualty

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

            Sgt. Joseph D’Augustine, 29, of Waldwick, N.J., died March 27 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

            For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the 2nd Marine Logistics Group public affairs office at 910-451-3538.

---

from northjersey:

D'Augustine is survived by his parents, Anthony and Patricia, and sisters, Nicole, Jennifer and Michele and her husband, Len Kulesa of Mahwah. He also had two nephews and one niece.
As of 3:30 p.m. March 28, the Department of Defense had not released information surrounding D'Augustine's death.
Joseph D'Augustine left for boot camp the day after his graduation from Waldwick High School in 2001, his sisters said. This was his fourth tour...

"We loved him. He was a great brother, great uncle and great son," said Michele Kulesa. "My parents were really proud of him. His nephews looked up to him and couldn't wait for him to come home. He was a happy guy. God just took him too soon."
The family said they planned to leave in several hours for Delaware on March 28 to await the arrival of D'Augustine's remains.
D'Augustine was a member of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit and belonged to Waldwick VFW Post 1049 and American Legion Nightengale Post 57, according to VFW commander Michael Echevarria.
"Not only did he want to be a Marine, but he wanted to be wherever the action was," Echevarria said in an interview March 28. "That's true of him with everything. In high school he was a hell of a linebacker and he was a great wrestler."
Echevarria described D'Augustine as someone who "wasn't happy unless everyone around him was laughing."

Related articles

• Local Marine dies in Afghanistan (myfoxny.com)
• U.S. Marine from northern N.J. killed in Afghanistan, 2 weeks before planned trip home for wedding (nj.com)

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Digger (AUS) wounded in Afghan drug lab mission

The Australian Defence Force says an Australian soldier has been wounded during a drug operation in Afghanistan.

Defence says the special operations soldier was hit with small arms fire during a joint operation with Afghan security forces to disrupt insurgent networks in southern Afghanistan.

The soldier has been flown to the International Security Assistance Force air base where he is in a satisfactory condition.

His family has been contacted.

Defence says during the operation two drug labs were destroyed and a Taliban commander and local insurgent commander were captured.

No further details on the injured soldier have been released but Defence says the overall operation was a significant blow the insurgency.

from abc.net.au

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35 insurgents killed, 12 detained in Afghanistan within 24 hours

KABUL, March 29 (Xinhua) -- A total of 35 insurgents were killed and 12 others detained during military operations conducted by Afghan forces and NATO-led coalition troops within 24 hours, the Afghan Interior Ministry said on Thursday morning.

"Afghan National Police (ANP) in collaboration with army and NATO-led coalition troops conducted 12 joint operations in nine provinces around the country over the past 24 hours killing 35 armed insurgents and detaining 12 others," the ministry said in a statement.

They also found and seized weapons and ammunition including 27 AK-47 guns and 14 anti-vehicle mines besides confiscating seven motorbikes and two vehicles used by insurgents, the statement said, without saying if there were any casualties on the security forces.

The ANP during separate operations also found and defused 10 anti-vehicle mines in southern Kandahar and eastern Nangarhar provinces over the same period of time, it added.

Afghan officials often use the word "insurgents" referring to the Taliban, however, the militant group has yet to make comments.

Afghan forces and some 130,000 NATO-led ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) troops have intensified cleanup operations throughout the post-Taliban country recently as spring and summer, known as "fighting season", are drawing near in the country.

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4 militants killed, 2 detained in Kandahar province

According to local authorities in southern Kandahar province at least 4 insurgents were killed and 2 others were detained following military operations by Afghan security forces in this province.

The officials further added the militants were killed and detained at Shahwalikot and panjwai districts of southern Kandahar province.

Provincial governor media office following a press release said, Afghan security forces killed at least 2 armed insurgents following a military operation at Panjwai district on Wednesday evening. The two insurgents were plotting and carrying out insurgency activities against the Afghan security forces in the area.

The source further added, Afghan security forces conducted another operation at Shahwalikot district on Wednesday night, where a mine planter was killed along with a Taliban fighter.

The operations were conducted at Parian and Yatiman areas late Wednesday night where Afghan security forces also detained 2 insurgents along with some weapons and explosives, provincial media office officials added.

Anti-government armed militant groups yet to comment regarding the operations.

from KHAAMA

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Militants ambush NATO supply convoy in Farah

According to local authorities in western Farah province a number of armed militants ambushed a NATO supply convoy in this province on Wednesday.

The officials further added the clashes continued for three hours between the armed militants and the private security guards escorting the NATO supply convoy.

At least 5 private security guards and 14 militants were killed during the three hours clashes, the officials added.

A spokesman for the Afghan national brigade in the western region Najeebullah Najeebi said, the incident took place in Bala Bolok district which is frequently used by the NATO suppliers.

Mr. Najeeb further added, Afghan security forces were also sent to the area to combat the militants.

In the meantime a spokesman for the Afghan national police forces in the western regions Rauf Ahmadi said, more than 30 militants were killed and 10 others were injured during the clashes.

An official of the private security firm “Arya Security” Syed Abdul Wahid which provide escort services to NATO supplies said their security guards were ambushed by militants equipped with heavy arms including Rocket Propelled Grenade Launchers, and their security guards could not fight properly since they were armed with AK-47′s only.

Mr. Wahid further added, at least 5 of their security guards were killed and 5 others were injured during the clashes.

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

from KHAAMA

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Rhode Island Guardsman died saving Afghan girl

Spc. Dennis Weichel, 29, of Providence, Rhode Island,
died saving the life of a little girl in Afghanistan.

(CNN) -- After the news of a U.S. soldier charged with murdering Afghan civilians, mostly women and children, the story of Spc. Dennis Weichel of the Rhode Island National Guard bears telling.

The official Pentagon news release says he died "from injuries suffered in a noncombat related incident." But there is much more to the story. Weichel, 29, of Providence, died saving the life of a little girl.

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R.I.P. - Spc. Dennis P. Weichel Jr. 
Read more: http://sgt-jim.blogspot.com/2012/03/rip-spc-dennis-p-weichel-jr.html

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According to the Rhode Island National Guard and the U.S. Army, Weichel was in a convoy a week ago with his unit in Laghman Province, in northeast Afghanistan. Some children were in the road in front of the convoy, and Weichel and other troops got out to move them out of the way.

Most of the children moved, but one little girl went back to pick up some brass shell casings in the road. Afghan civilians often recycle the casings, and the girl appeared to aim to do that. But a Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle was moving toward her, according to Lt. Col. Denis Riel of the Rhode Island National Guard.

MRAPs, as they are known, usually weigh more than 16 tons.

Weichel saw massive truck bearing down on the girl and grabbed her out of the way. But in the process, the armored truck ran him over, Riel said.

The little girl is fine. Weichel died a short time later of his injuries.

"He was a big kid at heart. He always had a smile on his face, and he made everyone laugh," 1st Sgt. Nicky Peppe, who served with Weichel in Iraq, is quoted as saying in an Army story. "But as much as Weichel was funny, he was also a professional. When it was time to go outside the wire for a combat patrol, he was all business."

Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee has ordered flags in the state lowered to half-staff until Weichel, who was posthumously promoted to sergeant, is laid to rest Monday.

Weichel is survived by his parents, his fiancee and three children. His family will receive Weichel's Bronze Star and other awards for his sacrifice.

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• A Hero to Remember (fellowshipofminds.wordpress.com)
• R.I.P. - Spc. Dennis P. Weichel Jr. (sgt-jim.blogspot.com)
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