7 people killed in blast in NW Pakistan

Map of Pakistan (Photo credit: Omer Wazir)

ISLAMABAD, July 26 (Xinhua) -- At least eight people including two children were killed and 20 others got injured on Thursday in a bomb blast in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region of Bajaur, local media reported.

According to local media, the blast took place in the main market of the Salarzai area of Bajaur Agency, Pakistan's northwestern restive region bordering Afghanistan.

In the blast, one person was killed on the spot while over two dozen others were injured who were quickly shifted to the Pusht Headquarters Hospital where seven of them succumbed to their injuries.

People were busy with shopping when the blast hit the market with a big bang.

The nature of the blast and its intensity were unknown yet but officials speculated that it was either an improvised explosive device (IED) or a remote-controlled blast.

At least six shops and a couple of vehicles were also destroyed due to the impact of the blast.

Soon after the blast security forces cordoned off the area and started a search operation in the nearby areas to arrest the suspects.

No militant group or organization had claimed responsibility for the blast yet.

from XINHUA
2012-07-26 13:51:46

Related articles

• You: At least 8 people killed, 20 injured in Bajur blast (nation.com.pk)
• Blast in Bajaur agency kills seven (dawn.com)
• Eight Killed In Blast In Northwestern Pakistan (rferl.org)
• Bomb kills 4 in market in north-west Pakistan (thehindu.com)

Read More

12 killed in clashes between security forces, al-Qaida militants in Iraq's Diyala

BAQUBA, Iraq, July 26 (Xinhua) -- As many as seven al-Qaida fighters and five security members were killed in clashes at a former al-Qaida stronghold in Iraq's eastern province of Diyala, a provincial police told Xinhua on Thursday.

The incident took place late on Wednesday when a group of suspected al-Qaida militants attacked a police patrol in al-Hadid area in northwest of the provincial capital city of Baquba, which located some 65 km northeast of Baghdad, the source said on condition of anonymity.

The attack sparked a fierce clash with the militants, prompting an Iraqi army force backed by helicopters to intervene, the source said.

The clashes resulted in the killing of seven militants and the capture of eight others, while two policemen and three soldiers were killed by the clashes, he said.

An Iraqi army helicopter was hit by a militant's machinegun, but managed to land safely, the source added.

Al-Hadid is a rural area locates some 10 km northwest of Baquba. The palm grove area had been one of main strongholds for al-Qaida militants during the years after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

On Sunday, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the top leader of "the self- styled Islamic State of Iraq", al-Qaida front in the country announced a plan named "Breaking the walls" aimed at releasing Qaida prisoners and to target the country's judges and investigators, as well as to return to the previous al-Qaida strongholds that had evacuated.

Diyala province, which stretches from the eastern edges of Baghdad to the Iranian border east of the country, has long been a stronghold for al-Qaida militants and other insurgent groups since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 despite repeated U.S. and Iraqi military operations against them.

from XINHUA
2012-07-26 17:48:18

Read More

Al-Qaida militants attack pro-gov't tribesmen in southern Yemen, 3 killed

ADEN, Yemen, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Scores of al-Qaida militants attacked two checkpoints of pro-government tribesmen in Yemen's southern province of Abyan on Wednesday evening, killing at least three people and wounding five others, a government official told Xinhua.

The al-Qaida militants raided two checkpoints held by pro- government tribesmen in the Batees area in Abyan province, sparking a deadly gunfight that left at least three people killed and five others wounded, the local government official said on condition of anonymity.

"Pro-government tribesmen fought off al-Qaida's attack, forcing its militants to flee back to Abyan's mountainous areas," the government official said.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida branch, locally known as Ansar al- Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law) claimed responsibility for Wednesday's attack, in a text message obtained by Xinhua.

"Our holy warriors of Ansar al-Sharia this evening carried out the first successful attack on the checkpoints around Batees village... a number of tribesmen were killed and some others injured," read the message.

The Yemeni government forces have been fighting al-Qaida militants in the the southern province of Abyan for years, and hundreds of soldiers have lost their lives.

In the past two months, a U.S.-backed offensive managed to expel al-Qaida militants from their major strongholds in the southern province of Abyan, recapturing its capital Zinjibar, towns like Jaar, Shakra and several villages, which they had controlled for nearly one year during the political unrest in Yemen.

However, the al-Qaida militants still have a strong presence in the Mahfad town and some mountainous areas in Abyan.

Fighting al-Qaida militants in the restive south is one of the challenges confronting current Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who has promised to launch a national dialogue to settle disputes among all political factions and to uproot the Yemeni branch of al-Qaida.


from XINHUA
2012-07-26 04:22:42

Read More

R.I.P. - Sgt. Justin M. Hansen

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

            Sgt. Justin M. Hansen, 26, of Traverse City, Mich., died July 24 while conducting combat operations in Badghis province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

            For more information media may contact the Marine Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office at 910-440-0770.

---

from marinecorpstimes:

Posted : Wednesday Jul 25, 2012 19:34:57 EDT

Lejeune sgt. killed in Badghis province combat

A North Carolina-based Marine was killed earlier this week in Afghanistan, Defense Department officials confirmed late Wednesday.

Sgt. Justin M. Hansen, 26, of Traverse City, Mich., died Tuesday while conducting combat operations in Badghis province, according to the military. Hansen was assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, out of Camp Lejeune.

Hansen’s father, who confirmed the death earlier Wednesday, said his son died after being shot while on a house sweep. Hansen was on his second deployment to Afghanistan and also deployed once to Iraq, his father said.

Rick Hansen said his son was no stranger to the insurgents that U.S. forces faced.

“I said, ‘Do you get real close to these guys — the enemy?’ And he said, ‘Oh yeah. Someday we’ll sit down in a corner and we’ll talk about it,’ ” he told the Traverse City (Mich.) Record-Eagle. “That day never came.”

Hansen, a 2003 graduate of Kingsley (Mich.) High School, played football in high school.

Lifelong friend Jon Walton said Justin Hansen was “always full of energy, always up for something new.”

“And he was the most committed person I’ve ever met,” Walton said. “Whatever he did, he did 110 percent.”

Amanda Herrick, who graduated from Kingsley High a year before Hansen, said his loss was being strongly felt.

“We are still a small community. Everybody knows everybody,” Herrick said.

Kingsley is about 12 miles south-southeast of Traverse City.

Hansen joined the Corps seven years ago, according to TV stations WWTV/WWUP.

Read More

7 armed insurgents killed and 10 arrested by ANP (Jul.26.2012.)

Publish Date: Jul 26, 2012

Seven armed insurgents killed and 10 arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:

During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched six joint clearance operations in Kabul, Baghlan, Kunduz, Kandahar, Uruzgan and Paktika provinces.

As a result of these operations, seven armed insurgents were killed and 10 others were arrested by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated three AK-47 assault rifles, one PKM machine gun, 18 different types of mines, 35 kilograms of explosive materials and three motorcycles.

During the same 24 hour period, Afghan National Police discovered and defused 12 anti-vehicle mines as a result of security operation in the Nahar Saraj District of Helmand province.

 

Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained eight individuals accused of murder and assault in the Paghman, Chahar Asiab and 2nd Districts of Kabul-City.

Read More

R.I.P. - Spc. Justin L. Horsley, Pfc. Brenden N. Salazar

DOD Identifies Army Casualties

            The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            They died July 22 of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit in Pul-E Alam, Afghanistan, with an improvised explosive device.  They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Caserma Ederle, Italy.

            Killed were:

            Spc. Justin L. Horsley, 21, of Palm Bay, Fla., and

            Pfc. Brenden N. Salazar, 20, of Chuluota, Fla.

            For more information the media may contact the U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs in Heidelberg, Germany, at 011491622716685.

---

from florida today: 
6:54 AM, Jul 26, 2012 

Army Spc. Justin L. Horsley, 21, of Palm Bay and another soldier from Central Florida were killed Sunday in Afghanistan while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, the Defense Department reported late Wednesday.

Horsley and Pfc. Brenden N. Salazar, 20, of Chuluota, died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit in Pul-E Alam, Afghanistan, with an improvised explosive device.

Horsley was in the service for one year and 10 months. He graduated from Bayside High School, where he wrestled, ran track and played football.

When reached by phone Wednesday night, Horsley’s brother, John Horsley, 24, said the family was in shock.

Both Horsley and Salazar were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, based in Italy.

The 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team previously lost 52 soldiers during two deployments to
Afghanistan, starting in 2007, when 43 died. Members of the unit earned one Medal of Honor, a Distinguished Service Cross, and 32 Silver Stars.

In 2009, the brigade returned to Afghanistan for a third time.

Read More

R.I.P. - Pfc. Adam C. Ross

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

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

            Pfc. Adam C. Ross, 19, of Lyman, S.C., died July 24, in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he encountered small arms fire.

            Ross was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy.

            For more information pertaining to this release, media may contact the U.S. Army Europe public affairs office in Heidelberg, Germany, at 011-49-1622716685.

---

Read More

Haqqani Network explosives expert arrested in Khost

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

A Haqqani Network explosives expert was detained following a joint military operation by Afghan and coalition security forces in eastern Khost province on Thursday.

NATO-led Interantional Security Assistance Force following a statement announced, the Afghan special operations unit, supported by coalition troops, arrested a Haqqani explosives expert in Khost district, Khost province, today.

The explosives expert conducted improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the province. He also trained insurgents how to make and use IEDs. At the time of his arrest, the Haqqani explosives expert was in the process of building several IEDs.

During the operation, the security force also detained multiple suspected insurgents.

ISAF following the statement further added, in Shah Wali Kot district, Kandahar province, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban weapons dealer and detained several suspected insurgents. The weapons dealer distributed illegal weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles, to insurgents throughout northern Kandahar.

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

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - Thu Jul 26, 12:07 pm

Read More

July 25., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces killed four insurgents, detained 17 and cleared six improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, July 25.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces detained 14 insurgents during an engagement in Muqer district. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Kapisa province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Tagab district.

Khowst province
Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces detained an insurgent during an engagement in Terezayi district. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Kunar province
A coalition airstrike killed two insurgents in Watahpur district in response to Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces receiving small arms.

Logar province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared three IEDs, one in Charkh District and two in Pul-E Alam District.

Paktika province
A coalition airstrike killed two insurgents in Bermal district in response to Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces receiving small arms.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Giyan district.

Paktiya province
Afghan Border Police and coalition forces detained two insurgents during an engagement in Lajah Ahmad Khel district. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Wardak province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared two IEDs in Meydan Shar district.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

Read More

Afghan bomb kills 7 children

Taywara in green - Districts of Ghor. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Seven children have died after their local water spring was booby trapped with a bomb aimed at Afghan police.

They were grazing farm animals when the device went off in the Taywara district of western Ghor province, said provincial police chief Dilawar Shah.

He said the spring was located in an area that has seen recent fighting between insurgents and police forces, and added that the children accidentally triggered the device as they were grazing cattle.

He said the bomb was intended for security forces that use the same spring as a water supply.
President Hamid Karzai condemned the bombing.

In other violence, the US military said that one of its troops had been killed in western Afghanistan.

The death brings the number of foreign troops killed this month to 36, and the total for this year to 251. Of those, at least 155 have been Americans.

from BFBS
---

from af news:

KABUL - At least seven cattle-grazing Afghan children were killed when a bomb, apparently planted by insurgents to target police, exploded when the unsuspecting shepherd boys were playing with the explosive device, officials said Wednesday.

The explosion occurred Tuesday when the bomb planted next to a fresh water spring in the Taywara district of western Ghor province exploded. The targets were Afghan police who collect their drinking supplies at the spring, said provincial police chief Dilawar Shah.

Shah said the children accidentally triggered the device, as they were grazing cattle.

"The bomb was to target security forces who come to the spring to collect their water supply," Shah said.

President Hamid Karzai condemned the bombing.

According to police officials, the area where the spring is located had seen recent fighting between insurgents and police forces.

Read More