Saturday, October 13, 2012

14 killed in Nigeria gunmen attacks: military

JOS, Nigeria, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least 14 people were killed in separate attacks by gunmen in Jos, capital of Plateau State, in central Nigeria, the military said Friday.

State spokesperson of the military Special Task Force (STF) Lt. Kingsley Egbo told reporters that the victims were attacked in rural communities in the restive state on Thursday.

"Among those murdered was a 75 year-old woman in Sara village of Riyom local government area. The old woman was killed along with her three children," said the military officer, adding a family of eight was also wiped out at a remote village in the same local government area.

According to Egbo, the military had opened an investigation that will lead to arrest of the gunmen who perpetrated the dastardly act.

He said some herdsmen were arrested in connection to the attacks, following a gun duel with the assailants.

"When we received reports of the attacks, we quickly swung into action and arrested some attackers. We also recovered some of their weapons while many others escaped with gunshot wounds. The suspects are currently being interrogated," he added.

Northern and central parts of Nigeria had recorded so many deaths, following series of attacks by the Islamic Boko Haram sect and herdsmen which seem to have become hard nuts to crack by government of the west African country.

At least 815 persons have been killed in various attacks carried out in the northern and central parts of the country this year, according to the Human Rights Watch (HRW) latest report released on Friday.

from XINHUA2012-10-12 22:53:35

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R.I.P. - Corporal Mindia Abashidze (Georgia)

Ministry of Defence of Georgia extends its condolences over the death of Corporal Mindia Abashidze born in 27 October of 1989 and expresses grief to his family members. Corporal Abashidze was killed while fulfilling a combat task under the ISAF mission in Afghanistan.

Corporal Mindia Abashidze has been serving in army since August 4 2008. He was Commander of Fire Group of 32 Light Infantry Battalion of III Infantry Brigade of Land Forces. Corporal has been participating in the NATO mission since 2010-2011.

Ministry of Defence condoles once again to the dead soldier`s family. The funeral expenses will be covered by Defence Ministry.

from MINISTRY OF DEFENCE OF GEORGIA

---

Condolences on the Death of Cpl. Abashidze U.S. Ambassador Richard Norland (October 11)

 On behalf of the U.S. Embassy, we wish to express our sympathy and solidarity with the people of Georgia upon the death of Cpl. Mindia Abashidze who was killed in action in Afghanistan where he was deployed with the 32nd Infantry Battalion. The entire U.S. Embassy community extends its deepest sympathies to the friends, army comrades and family of Cpl. Abashidze.  The Georgian military is making an important contribution to the International Security Assistance Force that is helping the people of Afghanistan to establish peace and security in a country that has been gripped by instability for decades. The American people join with the Georgian people in mourning the loss of this brave Georgian soldier. 

 from the Embassy of the United States Georgia 

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Al Qaeda in Iraq claims credit for Tikrit jailbreak


The Islamic State of Iraq, al Qaeda in Iraq's political front, claimed credit for a complex assault on the Tasfirat prison in Tikrit that freed more than 100 prisoners, including dozens of terrorists.

In a statement that was released yesterday on jihadist Internet forums and translated by the SITE Intelligence Group, the Islamic State of Iraq said it executed the Sept. 27 prison break. The terror group said the operation was part of its "Destroying the Walls" campaign, which was announced at the end of July by Abu Du'a, the Islamic State of Iraq's emir. In that statement, Abu Du'a said that emphasis would be placed on efforts "to release the Muslim prisoners everywhere."

In yesterday's statement, al Qaeda in Iraq detailed its complex attack. The group claimed that "silenced weapons, hand grenades, and explosive belts" were smuggled into the prison, and then operations were coordinated between the "imprisoned brothers inside the jail" and the assault team outside.

The prisoners seized control of the prison "while their brothers on the outside kill the main gate's guards by detonating a parked car bomb and cutting off all roads leading to the security compound against the support patrols," according to the SITE translation. The car bomb is thought to have been detonated by a suicide bomber.

After taking control of the prison, the al Qaeda fighters attacked the prison archives and destroyed "the data and database of the prisoners and those who are wanted," according to SITE. "Also, sensitive documents were taken and that which could benefit the apostates in pursuing the mujahideen was burned."

Al Qaeda in Iraq claimed that the operation resulted in "the death and injury of nearly 80 apostates," and the escape of "tens" of its fighters. News reports indicated that two Iraqi policemen, an Iraqi soldier, and 11 al Qaeda in Iraq fighters were killed during the fighting.

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/10/al_qaeda_in_iraq_cla_3.php#ixzz29AhZMCmz
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Pakistan: Explosion in Darra Adam Khel; 15 killed

(file photo)
PESHAWAR: At least 15 people were killed and 25 were wounded in a car bomb blast in Kohat’s Darra Adam Khel area on Saturday.
The explosion took place in Darra Adam Khel’s Janan market and targeted the main office of the region’s anti-Taliban peace committee.

At least 20 shops were destroyed as a result of the explosion and the injured had been shifted to hospitals in Darra Adam Khel and Peshawar for treatment.

Seven bodies and 25 injured had been brought to Peshawar’s Lady Reading Hospital, the hospital’s MS Raheem Jan Afridi said. Whereas, eight bodies had been taken to the Darra Adam Khel Hospital, MS Alif Khan Afridi said.

At least five of the injured were in critical conditions. The injured included two children.

Mohammad, the spokesman for Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan Darra Adam Khel’s Tariq Afridi group, denied responsibility for the attack.

Speaking to Dawn.com earlier, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain had stated that seven people had been killed and 19 had been injured.

Hussain said those targeted were members of the anti-Taliban peace committee.

Police had cordoned off the area and had started a search operation.

from DAWN
by Zahir Shah Sherazi

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Oct. 13., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Daily Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan-led security force, supported by coalition troops, arrested a Taliban leader in Kandahar province today.

The Taliban leader commanded a Taliban improvised-explosive-device cell directly responsible for attacks on Afghan and coalition forces.

The security force also detained one suspected insurgent as a result of the operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout
Afghanistan:

North
Afghan and coalition forces confirmed today the death of a Taliban leader, Qari Nasratullah, during a security operation in Sar-e-Pul province Friday. Qari Nasratullah is believed to have commanded more than 20 Taliban fighters. During the operation, the security force also seized multiple weapons, grenades and associated gear.

During a security operation in search of a Taliban leader today, an Afghan and coalition security force killed a number of insurgents in Kunduz province. During the operation, the security force seized several weapons and grenades.

South

Coalition forces confirmed today the arrest of insurgent leader Abdul Zahir in Nimroz province on an Afghan Special Police-led mission Monday.

Abdul Zahir coordinated the flow of IEDs and weapons into the Nimroz province area.

Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the death of Taliban leader Sher Ali in a security operation conducted Tuesday in Kandahar province.

Ali, also known as Haji Ustad, exercised command and control in an area of Kandahar province. In the days leading to the operation, Ali was believed to be gathering and delivering explosives for an attack against Afghan and coalition forces.

Afghan and coalition forces killed two insurgents during an operation in Helmand province today. Prior to their death, the security force observed the two militants engaging in insurgent activity.

East

An Afghan and coalition forces killed two insurgents during a security operation in search of a Taliban leader and IED expert in Laghman province today. The security force also seized multiple weapons and 13 pounds of illegal narcotics as a result of the operation.

Afghan and coalition forces conducted two security operations resulting in the death of two armed insurgents in Ghazni province Friday.

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Oct. 13., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces killed two insurgents and cleared two improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Oct. 12.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Army soldiers found and safely cleared an improvised explosive device in Andar district.

Khowst province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an improvised explosive device in Terezayi district.

Nangarhar province
A coalition airstrike killed two insurgents in Behsud district in response to Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces receiving indirect fire.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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5 Armed Taliban Killed, 3 Wounded and 23 Arrested by ANP (13.Oct.2012.)



Publish Date: Oct 13, 2012
Five Armed Taliban Killed, Three Wounded and 23 Arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:
During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched eight joint clearance operations in Kapisa, Baghlan, Kunduz, Sar-e-Pul, Ghazni, Paktiya, Farah and Helmand provinces.

As a result of these operations, five armed Taliban were killed, three wounded and 23 others were arrested by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated eight AK-47 assault rifles, three pistols, 11 different types of mines, two hand grenades, 41 kilos of explosives, five magazines, one vehicle and one motorcycle.

Additionally, Afghan National Police discovered and defused four anti-vehicle mines, one anti-tank mine and one missile as a result of security operations in Kabul, Baghlan and Helmand provinces, yesterday.
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Coordinated blasts rock southern Zabul province

A explosion rocked southern Zabul province of Afghanistan on Saturday morning.

The incident took place in central city of Qalat at southern Zabul province and there are fears of heavy casualties following the blast.

Provincial security chief Ghulamn Jilani confirming the report said coordinated blasts took place near the Zabul municipality department.

Mr. Jilani further added the incident took place while a vehicle of a priviate security company was crossing the area injuring at least three security guards.

He said the explosive device was planted inside a garbage container.

In the meantime provincial governor spokesman Mohammad Sharif Nasiri said the second explosion took place 15 minutes after the first blast killing at least two people.

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

from KHAAMA
By Sadaf Shinwari - Sat Oct 13, 10:33 am

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Somali pirates free Greek-owned ship, say ransom was $5.7 mln

MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Somali pirates have released the Greek-owned bulk carrier Free Goddess and its 21 Filipino crew members after holding the vessel for more than eight months, the secretary general of the Seafarers Union of Kenya said on Friday.

Andrew Mwangura, whose role involves contact with ships sailing the Indian Ocean and catering for crews' welfare, said a ransom was dropped onto the vessel from the air on October 10.

"The Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier Free Goddess is now free and she is heading to Salalah, Oman, for ... fuel, fresh water and a crew change," Mwangura told Reuters.

Pirates said the ship had been held at Garad, a haven in Puntland that they use.

"We took $5.7 million ransom after holding the ship for months," a pirate in Garad called Mohamed told Reuters.

The amount of the ransom could not immediately be verified independently.

Mwangura is a former head of The East African Seafarers' Assistance Programme, an independent organization for the welfare of seafarers and a piracy monitoring group.

International navies have cracked down on pirates, including strikes on their coastal bases, and ship firms are increasingly using armed guards and defensive measures on vessels including barbed wire, scaring off Somali seaborne gangs.

That reduced the number of incidents involving Somali pirates to 69 in the first half of 2012, compared with 163 in the same period last year, according to the International Maritime Bureau.

However, the commander of the European Union's anti-piracy task force has warned that pirates would "try their luck" again following a lull in attacks on the high seas off Somalia now that the monsoon period has ended.

from REUTERS
Fri Oct 12, 2012 1:22pm GMT

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Canadian man and American woman kidnapped in Wardak

According to reports two foreign nationals were abducted by unknown gunmen in central Maidan Wardak province of Afghanistan.

A local security official speaking on the condition of anonymity said the two individuals were kidnapped in Syedabad district.

The source further added the two individuals including a Canadian Man and an American woman were civilians.

They were kidnapped while they were on their way from eastern Ghazni province to capital Kabul.

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

Afghan government officials yet to comment regarding the report.

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - Fri Oct 12, 3:11 pm

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Oct. 12., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Daily Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani leader in Paktiya province today.

The arrested leader is suspected of conducting improvised-explosive-device and indirect-fire attacks on Afghan and coalition forces.

The security force also detained a number of suspected insurgents, and seized several assault weapons and a large quantity of explosive material as a result of the operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

An Afghan and coalition security force killed a number of armed insurgents during an operation in search of Taliban fighters in Sar-e-Pul province today. The security force seized several assault rifles, shot guns and grenades during the operation.

South

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a number of suspected insurgents during an operation in search of a Taliban leader in Helmand province today. The Taliban leader is responsible for directing multiple attacks targeting Afghan and coalition forces throughout Helmand province.

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Oct. 12., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces killed six insurgents, detained 18 and cleared an improvised explosive device during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Oct. 11.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared two IEDs in Gelan district.

Khowst province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces detained 18 insurgents during two engagements in Khowst district. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Wardak province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces killed six insurgents during engagements in Nerkh district and Sayyidabad district.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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