6 rebels killed by Ghazni residents

GHAZNI CITY (PAN): Six Taliban militants were killed by residents of the Andar district of southern Ghazni province on Monday, a public uprising leader said.

The hour-long clashes took place in Mokam Qala and Alam Khel areas, where the rebels attacked the check-posts set up by residents, said a commander of the uprising.

Faizanullah Faizan told Pajhwok Afghan News four rebels were killed in the ensuing clash.  Another two insurgents were killed in Khani Baba area. A member of the public uprising group was injured.

from Pajhwok
by Saifullah Maftoon on Oct 15, 2012 - 15:34

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NATO airstrike kill 3 Afghan kids, 2 militants in Helmand

According to local authorities in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan, at least 5 people including 2 suspected insurgents planting roadside bomb and three Afghan kids were killed following a NATO airstrike in this province.

The officials further added the incident took place in Nawa district of southern Helmand province late Sunday night.

Nawa district security chief Ahmadshah confirming the report said the two suspected insurgents were killed while they were planting improvised explosive device on a main highway in this district.

He said the incident took place late Sunday evening between Nawa and Marjah districts.

He also said an Afghan girl and two boys were also killed following the air raid.

NATO-led International Coalition Security Forces officials yet to comment regarding the reports.

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - Mon Oct 15, 1:29 pm

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Oct. 15., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Daily Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the death of Taliban leader Qurashi from a security operation in Kunduz province, Saturday.

Qurashi, also known as Baz Khan and Zubair, was a Taliban leader specializing in the use of improvised explosive devices and was directly involved in planning and executing IED attacks.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

East

Afghan National Army Special Forces, partnered with U.S. special forces, killed a number of insurgents during a patrol in Paktiya province Friday when the coalition partners were ambushed by more than a dozen insurgents. The combined force returned fire and used air support to kill the insurgents. No civilians or security forces were killed or injured during the engagement.

During a patrol in Paktiya province Saturday, Afghan National Security Forces, partnered with U.S. special forces, killed a number of insurgents when the coalition partners were ambushed. No civilians or security forces were killed or injured during the engagement.

Afghan National Security Forces, partnered with U.S. special forces, killed a number of insurgents during a patrol in Paktiya province Saturday. No civilians or security forces were killed or injured during the engagement.

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Oct. 15., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces killed two insurgents, detained three, located two weapons caches and cleared two improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Oct. 14.

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

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

Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Khowst district. The cache contained small arms and ammunition, grenades, homemade explosives, blasting caps, gun powder, a roll of wire, and an ignition switch.

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

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

Afghan Border Police killed two insurgents during an engagement in Wur Mamay district.

Paktiya province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Dzadran district. The cache contained two rockets.

Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces detained an insurgent during an engagement in Zurmat district. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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Key al-Qaida militant killed in Algeria: report

Map with general area of AQIM
presence in Algeria and Mali (www.nctc.gov)

ALGIERS, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- A key militant responsible for " external relations" between al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and the parent organization al-Qaida had been killed last Friday by Algeria's National People's Army (ANP), local APS news agency reported Sunday, citing security sources.

Bekai Boualem, alias "El Khaled Mig" and aged 45, was shot in an ambush on Friday by ANP forces near the village of Azrou in the town of Yakourene in Tizi Ouzou province, said the sources.

The identity of this terrorist was confirmed Sunday by his family who recovered his body at the morgue of the Hospital of Tizi Ouzou.

The terrorist had joined the Maquis terrorists at the beginning of the "Dark Decade" (1991-2001), and grew within terrorist groups that evolved in the central region of the country, particularly in Kabylia, in the forests of Akfadou and of Yakourene.

Headed by Abdelmalek Droukdel, AQIM emerged in early 2007 from Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, an Algerian armed Islamist movement. It operates in the northwest of Africa, including Mali, Mauritania and Niger.

This movement has committed numerous attacks since then.

On April 11, 2007, three suicide bombing attacks shook Algiers, one targeting the government office in downtown the capital, the second targeting a police station in Bab Ezzouar on the eastern outskirts of Algiers, while the third hitting the headquarters of National Gendarmerie. As many as 20 people died and 222 others were injured, according to official toll.

from XINHUA
2012-10-15 05:19:24

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Afghan and NATO troops kill Haqqani leader in Logar

NATO-led International Security Assistance Force following a statement on Sunday announced, Afghan and coalition security force killed Haqqani leader Rahmatullah during a security operation in Logar province Saturday.

The source further added, Rahmatullah, also known as Qari Moktar or Mohammad Qasim Qari, was responsible for coordinating direct-fire and improvised-explosive-device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Pul-e Alam district.

In a separate operation Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani leader in Ghazni province today, ISAF said following the statement adding that the detained Haqqani leader is believed to be directly associated with suicide and IED attack operations.

Afghan and coalition forces confirmed the death of a Taliban leader, Shafiullah, in an operation in Ghazni province Sunday, ISAF said adding that Shafiullah was a Taliban leader accused of planning and executing the May 29, 2011, attack that killed three coalition members.

Afghan and coalition forces confirmed the death of Taliban leader, Zafar Khan, in a security operation in Ghazni province Wednesday. Khan, a Taliban leader who exercised command and control of the insurgency in a portion of Ghazni province, was also believed to be involved in the Sept. 9 attack on Jaghatu District Center.

ISAF also said Afghan and coalition forces confirmed the arrest of a Taliban leader during a security operation in Helmand province Friday. He is allegedly responsible for directing multiple attacks targeting Afghan and coalition forces throughout Helmand province.

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

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - Sun Oct 14, 1:29 pm

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Hollande Warns AQIM to Free Hostages After Death Threat

French President François Hollande has told Al-Qaida kidnappers in Mali to free six French hostages "before it is too late" after one of their leaders declared that their lives were in because of France's support for a military intervention in the north of the country.

"Free them before it is too late," Hollande told Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (Aqim) in Kinshasa on Saturday.

The French president stuck to his guns in backing the planned Ecowas/African Union force that is to be sent to reunite Mali, large parts of which are now under the control of Tuareg separatists and armed Islamist groups.

Hollande was responding to Islamist rebel leader Oumar Ould Hamaha, who on Saturday warned that France's backing for Friday's UN Security Council resolution on Mali endangered the hostages and could even lead to an attempt on Hollande's own life.

"The lives of the French hostages are now in danger because of statements by the French president who wants to wage war against us," said Hamaha, claimed membership in the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (Mujao). "His own life is now in danger. He needs to know this."
Mujao is linked to Aqim, which is holding 10 Europeans hostage and had already threatened to kill the six French captives if France intervenes in Mali.

He added that Hollande wants to "open the door to hell" for the hostages and hinted that his movement might capture more.

"If we wanted to take French hostages in west Africa or even in France, we could do so easily," he said.

But Hollande pledged to continue the "war on terrorism" at a press conference in Kinshasa, where he was attending the Francophonie summit.

"It's by showing great determination to stick to our policy, which is that of war on terrorism, that we can convince the hostage-takers that it is now time to release our hostages," he said.

Algerian Foreign Affairs Minister Mourad Medelci played down differences with France over Mali after meeting French Interior Minister Manuel Valls in Algiers this weekend.

They had sometimes been "exaggerated", he said, adding that his country supports the UN Security Council resolution.

Algerian ministers reportedly feared being squeezed out of the Mali operation if Ecowas was in charge. They have been accused of involvement with Aqim.
Valls, who was set to meet Algerian Interior Minister Daho Ould Kablia in the evening, hailed his remarks as "very important".

Read or Listen to this story on the RFI website

from allAfrica/RFI

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18 Armed Taliban Killed, 8 Wounded and 19 Arrested by ANP (14.Oct.2012.)

Publish Date: Oct 14, 2012

18 Armed Taliban Killed, Eight Wounded and 19 Arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:

During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched nine joint clearance operations in Sar-e-Pul, Kunduz, Baghlan, Laghman, Kandahar, Helmand, Ghazni, Khost and Zabul provinces.

As a result of these operations, 18 armed Taliban were killed, eight wounded and 19 others were arrested by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated two PKM machine guns, four rocket launchers, seven AK-47 assault rifles, two different types of weapons, five different types of mines, two hand grenades and two radio handsets.

Additionally, Afghan National Police discovered and defused one remote control mine as a result of security operation in the Suroobi District of Kabul province, yesterday.

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R.I.P. - Sgt. 1st Class Ryan J. Savard

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

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

            Sgt. 1st Class Ryan J. Savard, 29, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., died Oct. 13, in Khanabad District, Afghanistan, from small arms fire while on patrol during combat operations.  He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N. C.

            For more information related to this release, the media may contact the U.S. Army Special Operations Command public affairs office at 910-432-6005.

---

from kpho:

Posted by Phil Benson

Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:00 PM 

Updated: Oct 15, 2012 12:27 AM

FORT BRAGG, NC (CBS5/AP) -

A soldier from Arizona and based at Fort Bragg has died from small arms fire while on patrol during combat operations in Afghanistan.
The Defense Department said Sunday that 29-year-old Sgt. 1st Class Ryan J. Savard of Sierra Vista, AZ, died Saturday in Khanabad District, Afghanistan.
Savard was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg.
Gov. Jan Brewer has ordered that flags at all State buildings be flown at half-staff until sunset Sunday.
Brewer issued this statement in the wake of his death:

"Please join me in saluting an American hero who gave his life in service to the United States. Sgt. 1st Class Ryan J. Savard, 29, of Sierra Vista, was killed Oct. 13, 2012, when he came under small arms fire while on patrol in Khanabad District, Afghanistan.

"Sgt. 1st Class Savard was serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He had been assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, and was based in Fort Bragg, NC.

"By now, we should need no reminder of the dangers our brave servicemen and women face while carrying out their duties. More than 2,000 American soldiers have been lost in the execution of Operation Enduring Freedom, launched in defense of this nation following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"Our cause is noble and just, but the grief is no less staggering for the families and friends left behind when one of our own is killed in wartime. I ask that Arizonans join me in offering our sincere gratitude to Sgt. 1st Class Savard, and a prayer for his loved ones. Let us hold in our hearts the courageous men and women in uniform who remain in harm's way so that we can be safe and free."

Savard graduated in 2001 from Buena High School in Sierra Vista, AZ.
He first entered the U.S. Army as a Helicopter Repairer on Aug. 29, 2001, and after completion of Initial Entry Training he was assigned to Bravo Company, 7th Battalion, 159th Aviation in Gieblstadt, Germany, where he served for two years as a UH-60 repairman. While assigned to the 159th Aviation, Savard deployed once to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In June 2004, Savard attended and graduated from the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School to become a Special Forces weapons sergeant. After graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course, Savard was assigned to Company A, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC, where he served as a Special Forces Company Assistant Operations Sergeant and a Special Forces weapons sergeant.
In 2008, Savard was assigned to Operations Detachment Group Support Battalion, 3rd SFG (A) where he served as a Senior Special Forces weapons sergeant. While assigned to 3rd SFG (A), Savard deployed three times to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom.
Savard was assigned in May 2010 as a Special Operations Team member, U.S. Army Special Operations Command. For more than two years he performed this duty, deploying twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Savard previously served one deployment to Iraq and this was his fifth deployment to Afghanistan.

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R.I.P. - Sgt. Thomas R. Macpherson

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

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

             Sgt. Thomas R. Macpherson, 26, of Long Beach, Calif., died Oct. 12, in Andar District, Afghanistan, from small arms fire while on patrol during combat operations.  He was assigned to the 2d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

             For more information related to this release, the media may contact the 75th Ranger Regiment public affairs office at 706-545-8407 or 706-570-5091.

---

 from presstelegram

By Nick Green, Staff Writer

Posted:   10/14/2012 11:49:22 AM PDT

Updated:   10/14/2012 12:30:16 PM PDT

A 26-year-old Long Beach native and married father of one was killed in a heavy firefight in Afghanistan as he led an assault against an enemy position, U.S. Army officials said Sunday.
Sgt. Thomas R. MacPherson, a graduate of Los Alamitos High School, was killed by small arms fire in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan.
MacPherson "selflessly lived his life for others and distinguished himself as a member of the Army's premier direct action raid force," Army officials said.
"Sgt. Tom MacPherson lost his life courageously leading his Rangers into a close quarters fight with the enemy," Lt. Col. Gregory Anderson, Commander of 2 nd Battalion, 75 th Ranger Regiment, said in a statement. "Tommy MacPherson never backed away from the dangers of combat, and his warrior spirit, personal example, and zeal for life continue to inspire all who knew him. "We will honor his service to our nation and the heroic example he set for all Rangers. Our thoughts and prayers are with the MacPherson family."
MacPherson is survived by his wife, Claudia MacPherson, and their son, Brayden, of Tacoma, Wash., and his parents, Troy and Diona MacPherson of Long Beach.
MacPherson was a team leader assigned to Company D, 2 nd Battalion, 75 th Ranger Regiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. This was his fourth deployment to Afghanistan and he had also previously served one deployment in Iraq.
"Sgt. Thomas MacPherson personified the traits of the consummate Ranger: commitment and courage," Col. Mark W. Odom, commander of the 75 th Ranger Regiment, said in a statement. "He deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq multiple times and always seemed to be at the critical points on the battlefield."
MacPherson was born July 20, 1986, in Long Beach.
He enlisted in the Army in May 2007 and completed basic training at Fort Benning, Ga.
After graduating from the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program he initially served as a mortarman with the 75 th Ranger Regiment. After three years, he was assigned to Company D where he served as a fire team leader.
His military education included the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course and the Warrior Leader Course.
His awards and decorations included the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Expert Infantryman's Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the U.S. Army Expert Rifle Marksmanship Qualification Badge.
MacPherson has also been awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the NATO Medal.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service and Purple Heart.

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