Blast rocks Afghan western town, police detain 2 would-be suicide bombers

A would-be suicide bomber is presented to the media after being captured by Afghan security forces in Herat province, west of Afghanistan, on Nov. 19, 2012. Two would-be suicide bombers attired in women dress were identified and arrested while attempting to enter a conference hall attended by ranking officials. (Xinhua/sardar)

KABUL, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- A powerful blast rocked the relatively peaceful Herat province, 640 km west of Afghan capital Kabul, causing panic among the war-weary residents on Monday.

In the incident, the anti-government militants placed an explosive device in the cavities of a motorbike and detonated it by remote-control next to a police checkpoint, police said.

The incident took place in the border town of Islam Qala at around 09:50 a.m. local time. As a result, three non-combatants including a doctor and a driver were injured.

"It was a remote-controlled bomb planted on a motorbike and targeted a border police checkpoint in Islam Qala border town, injuring three innocent civilians," a senior police officer Nisar Ahmad Paikar told Xinhua.

Paikar also blamed the enemies of peace, a term used for Taliban militants for the attack. However, the outfit has yet to make comment.

In a related development, police in Herat province identified and arrested two would-be suicide bombers and thus foiled a terror attack.

"Two would-be suicide bombers were attired in women dress and attempting to enter a conference hall attended by ranking officials when they were identified and arrested," deputy to provincial police chief, Abdul Hamid Hamidi told Xinhua.

The arrested militants, he said, who had disguised themselves as women to deceive the guards of the gate and enter the conference hall, had been detained and under investigation.

Explosion in Herat and arresting would-be suicide bombers are taking place just days after the visit of Afghan peace delegation to Islamabad and securing the release of nine Taliban detainees from Pakistani prisons as goodwill gesture to bolster peace talks with Taliban.

The delegation headed by Salahudin Rabbani, chairman of the government-backed peace body, the High Council for Peace, ended his four-day visit to Pakistan last Wednesday, hoping the release of Taliban detainees from Pakistani jail would accelerate the Afghan national reconciliation process, an initiative cautiously welcomed by Taliban.

In series of operations across the country, several Taliban insurgents were captured Monday, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed.

"An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban suicide attack operative in Kandahar province today," the statement added.

The arrested insurgent is suspected of planning and executing suicide attacks throughout the province, some 450 km south of capital Kabul, the coalition said without disclosing the name of the arrested man.

According to the statement, the security forces during operations in the neighboring Helmand province 555 km south of Kabul, has also arrested a Taliban weapons facilitator who supplied weapons to militants, on Monday morning.

In addition, another Afghan-NATO-led forces unit arrested a Taliban leader in eastern Logar province 60 km south of Kabul also Monday morning.

The Afghan forces backed by some 100,000 NATO-led ISAF troops have intensified cleanup operations against the Taliban militants but the insurgents in retaliation responded by carrying out suicide bombings, roadside attacks and laying ambushes against the security forces.


from XINHUA
Editor: Fang Yang
2012-11-19 19:29:17

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Pro-Taliban Pakistani Islamist leader targeted in suicide attack

Omar Khalid al Khurasani [center], from a Taliban propaganda video. Image from the SITE Intelligence Group.

By Bill Roggio - November 19, 2012 - LWJ


The former leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami, a political party that supports the Taliban, was the target of a female suicide bomber in Pakistan's violence-ridden northwest.

Qazi Hussain Ahmed, the former emir of the Jamaat-e-Islami, was unhurt in the suicide attack, which took place in Mian Mandi Ganghad, the main bazaar in Mohmand, according to Dawn. One of Qazi's bodyguards and three other people were wounded in the bombing.

Pakistani officials said a female suicide bomber wearing a burka and a suicide vest targeted Qazi's convoy as it passed the bazaar. "[P]ieces of female clothes and hair found from the site make us believe that the attacker was a woman," one Pakistani official told Dawn.

Qazi is a known jihadist supporter. In August 2012, Qazi spoke at the funeral of Engineer Ahsan Aziz, a Kashmiri jihadist commander who was killed in a US drone strike in the Shawal Valley in Pakistan's Taliban-controlled tribal agency of North Waziristan. Aziz was a commander in Hizbul Mujahideen, an al Qaeda-linked terror group, that operates in Kashmir, Pakistan's northwest, and in Afghanistan.

continue...

 Read more, the full story on the Long War Journal site: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/11/pro-taliban_pakistan.php#ixzz2CgZPZ811

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In Several Joint Clearance Operations, 9 Armed Taliban Killed (19.Nov.2012.)

Publish Date: Nov 19, 2012

In Several Joint Clearance Operations, Nine Armed Taliban Killed

Counterterrorism:

During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched nine joint clearance operations in Kabul, Kunar, Kandahar, Helmand, Daikundi, Faryab, Uruzgan and Farah provinces.

As a result of these operations, nine armed Taliban were killed and 20 others were arrested by Afghan National Security Forces.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated 1495 kilos of opium, one rocket launcher, two PKM machine guns, six AK-47 assault rifles, one radio handset, five heavy rounds, 12 different types of mines, four motorcycles and one vehicle.

Additionally, Afghan National Police discovered and defused five different types of mines as a result of security operation in the Tagab District of Badakhshan province, yesterday.

 

Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained a suspect accused of trafficking in the 9th District of Kabul-City.

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Taliban suicide attack operative arrested in Kandahar

Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban suicide attack operative in Kandahar province today, NATO-led International Security Assistance Force announced following a statement.

The arrested insurgent is suspected of planning and executing suicide attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout Kandahar province.

The security force also detained a number of suspected insurgents as a result of the operation, ISAF said.

ISAF following the statement further added, “An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban facilitator in Helmand province today. The arrested insurgent is believed to have organized the acquisition and transportation of mass shipments of homemade explosives and improvised explosive device-making materials to insurgents throughout Kandahar and Helmand provinces. During the operation, the security force also detained two suspected insurgents.”

“Afghan National Army Special Forces, partnered with coalition forces, discovered 15 emplaced IEDs and two caches in Kandahar province Friday.”, ISAF said following the statement adding that, “The caches consisted of IED-making materials, one AK-47 magazine, nine-volt batteries, and 500 Pakistani Rupees. The IEDs and both caches were destroyed on site.”

In a separate operation, Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in Logar province today, ISAF said adding that the arrested leader is alleged to have performed high profile attack planning, conducted indirect fire attacks against Forward Operating Base Shank and carried out IED attacks on Afghan security patrols throughout southern Logar province.

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

from KHAAMA
By Sayed Jawad - Mon Nov 19, 2:44 pm

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4 civilians wounded in attack on ANA convoy

Districts of Nangarhar Province.(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

JALALABAD (PAN): Four civilians were wounded during a clash between the Afghan army and insurgents in the Khogyani district of eastern Nangarhar province, an official said on Monday.

Haji Syed Rehman, the district chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the militants attacked a convoy of the Afghan National Army (ANA) in Mamla area late Sunday night. The soldiers escaped unhurt, but four civilian were wounded.

Khogyani Civil Hospital Director Dr Noor Agha confirmed receiving four injured civilians, including two children. He said two of the injured were in critical condition.

A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said two soldiers were killed and as many wounded in the attack.

But a spokesman for the 201st Selab Corps in the eastern zone, Col. Noman Hatifi, rejected the Taliban claim, saying that the soldiers remained unharmed.

from Pajhwok
By Mahbob Shah Mahbob Nov 19, 2012 - 14:06

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R.I.P. - Sgt. Channing B. Hicks, Spc. Joseph A. Richardson

DOD Identifies Army Casualties

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

            Killed were:

            Sgt. Channing B. Hicks, 24, of Greer, S.C., and

            Spc. Joseph A. Richardson, 23, of Booneville, Ark.

            They died Nov. 16, in Paktika province, Afghanistan, from injuries suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire.  They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

            For more information please contact the 1st Infantry Division public affairs office during duty hours at 785-240-1796, or after hours at 785-250-3791.

---

from 5newsonline:

Posted on: 3:19 pm, November 18, 2012, by Marty Cook, updated on: 10:33pm, November 18, 2012

A soldier from Booneville died in combat Friday in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense said Sunday.

Spc. Joseph A. Richardson, 23, was killed in the Paktika province while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Richardson was posthumously promoted to sergeant after his death, according to his military unit’s Facebook page.

The Department of Defense said Richardson and another soldier died from wounds sustained from small arms fire and an improvised explosive device.

“Specialist Joseph A. Richardson was a true American hero – giving his life in service to our great country,” said U.S. Representative Mike Ross in a released statement. “His bravery, dedication and patriotism exemplified what it means to be an American soldier and I am eternally grateful for his selfless sacrifice.  My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, parents and the rest of his many family and friends during this very difficult time.”

Richardson’s wife lives in Manhattan, Kan., while his mother lives in Dakota City, Iowa, and his dad in Gilmore City, Iowa. Richardson and the other soldier were with the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division based in Fort Riley, Kan.
---


from goupstate:

By Jenny Arnold
jennifer.arnold@shj.com
Published: Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 9:54 p.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 9:54 p.m.

A soldier from Greer was killed in Afghanistan on Friday when his unit was attacked by enemy forces, according to the Department of Defense.

U.S. Army Sgt. Channing B. Hicks, 24, of Greer and U.S. Army Spc. Joseph A. Richardson of Booneville, Ark., 23, died Friday in Paktika province.

The soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, at Fort Riley, Kansas.

Officials say the men died from injuries they suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire.

Hicks, known as “Bo” to family and friends, grew up in Greer and graduated from Greer High School in 2006, where he played football.

Greer High School athletic director Travis Perry knew Bo Hicks and grew up with Hicks' father, Chan Hicks Sr.

“He was really a fine young man,” Perry said Sunday. “He was always, ‘Yes, sir. No, sir.' He was a quiet kid and didn't play a whole lot, but he played for our scout team and found a way to contribute. He was part of the foundation of our team, helping the other players prepare for the games each week.”

Perry said he spoke to Hicks' father early Saturday. The family left early Sunday morning for Dover, Md., to meet the plane carrying Hicks' body back to the United States.

“They're having a really hard time with it, as can be expected,” Perry said. “He made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. It's a loss for our whole country.”

Hicks' younger brother, John, is a star senior linebacker with the Greer High School football team. Perry said John Hicks looked up to his older brother.

During the weekend, friends and family posted on Bo Hicks' Facebook page, sharing their memories, including four-wheeling and fishing with him, and hailing the 24-year-old as a hero.

John Hicks also shared his feelings about his brother on Facebook.

“First I would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers,” John Hicks wrote. “I also wanted to say that my brother was a good man, he served our country well and did it with pride. He was not just my brother but my best friend and my hero. I could talk to him about girls, fights, and Friday night football games. There will never be a moment forgotten with Bo. R.I.P Bo Hicks. I love you.”

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Nov. 19., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban suicide attack operative in Kandahar province today.

The arrested insurgent is suspected of planning and executing suicide attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout Kandahar province.

The security force also detained a number of suspected insurgents as a result of the operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban facilitator in Helmand province today. The arrested insurgent is believed to have organized the acquisition and transportation of mass shipments of homemade explosives and improvised explosive device-making materials to insurgents throughout Kandahar and Helmand provinces. During the operation, the security force also detained two suspected insurgents.

Afghan National Army Special Forces, partnered with coalition forces, discovered 15 emplaced IEDs and two caches in Kandahar province Friday. The caches consisted of IED-making materials, one AK-47 magazine, nine-volt batteries, and 500 Pakistani Rupees. The IEDs and both caches were destroyed on site.

East

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in Logar province today. The arrested leader is alleged to have performed high profile attack planning, conducted indirect fire attacks against Forward Operating Base Shank and carried out IED attacks on Afghan security patrols throughout southern Logar province.

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Senior al-Qaida leader killed in Algeria

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

ALGIERS, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- A senior leader of Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) was among the three militants killed Friday by Algerian forces in the southern province of Bejaia, local TSA news website reported Sunday.

Citing a security source, TSA said that forensics identified one of the three militants as Makhfi Rabah, 45, who was also known as Sheikh Abdenacer.

Hailing from the province of Boumerdes, some 50 km east of Algiers, Sheikh Abdenacer was known to have been close to head of AQMI Abdelmalek Droukdel and was the commander of the group responsible for the Kabylie region (covering the provinces of Tizi Ouzou, Boumerdes, Bouira and Bejaia), the source specified.

In March 2012, an Algerian court sentenced Makhfi Rabah to death in absentia together with Droukdel and two other militants on the run.

Forensics are still working to identify the two other dead militants, the source said, adding that they might also be key members of AQIM.

from XINHUA
2012-11-19 01:42:19

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then you can watch the hardest military videos on the net,

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Arrested ‘TTP militant’ warns of Muharram attacks

KARACHI: Four suicide bombers are ready to carry out attacks at Muharram processions in Karachi, a suspected militant has told intelligence officials during interrogation.

Akhtar Mehsud, an alleged member of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), was arrested in a raid in Kunwari Colony of Manghopir. A suicide jacket, one walkie-talkie set, a few cameras, computers, hand grenades and weapons were also seized in the operation, police sources told The Express Tribune.

During interrogation, the suspect warned of attacks during the first 10 days of Muharram, claiming that four suicide bombers are already present in Karachi. Rickshaws and motorcycles are expected to be used to launch attacks, especially between Muharram 8 and Muharram 10.

Akhtar Mehsud was allegedly involved in attacks on security forces in the tribal areas. He is also being questioned about his group’s link to the blast at the Rangers residential complex in North Nazimabad that killed three Rangers and wounded several others. A few accomplices of the suspect were also arrested later.

SHO Nasir Mehmood neither confirmed nor denied the arrest. “Nothing can be said about this at the moment,” he said.

‘Target killers’ arrested

The Crime Investigation Department’s Anti-Extremist Cell (AEC) claims to have arrested an alleged target killer associated with an “ethnic group” of Sindh.

Asghar Ali was arrested from Shershah in a raid, AEC officials said. A hand grenade and a TT pistol were also seized from the suspect.

During interrogation, Asghar Ali confessed his involvement in the targeted killings of six people, including a Muttahida Qaumi Movement worker, in Karachi.

Another suspected target killer was detained in a raid in the Surjani area. The accused identified as Zafar, according to police, was involved in targeted killings of at least six political activists.

Rangers also detained at least two political workers from Liaquatabad for their alleged involvement in targeted killings across Karachi. They were shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 18th, 2012.

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3 killed, 23 injured as blast reported near Shia mosque in Karachi

KARACHI: A powerful bomb went off near an Imambargah in the Abbas Town neighbourhood of the city Sunday evening, killing three people and injuring over a dozen.

The bomb was planted on a motorcycle, which was parked at a dairy shop located at a stone’s throw from Jamia Masjid-o-Imambargah Mustafa, according to witnesses and police.

“The motorcycle was parked by a young man who bought something from the dairy shop and walked away, leaving the two-wheeler behind,” one witness told The Express Tribune.

The dairy shop, a nearby beauty parlour and a delivery Suzuki pickup bore the brunt of the explosion.

The bomb weighed around five kilograms and it was set off with a remote-control, Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) officials said, adding that ball bearings were used in the device to inflict maximum casualties.

Inspector General Police (IGP) Sindh Fayyaz Leghari confirmed three fatalities in the blast. Two of the victims – identified as Sajid Hussain and Azhar Hussain – died on the spot while the third expired on way to a hospital.

Sources put the number of injured people at 15. And a spokesperson for Rangers said several paramilitary troops guarding the Imambargah were among the injured.

DIG District East Shahid Hayat said the Imambargah had three security barriers, manned by paramilitary Rangers. This prevented the attacker from approaching the building, he added. A statement issued by the Rangers endorsed DIG Hayat.

Soon after the blast, irate community members gathered at the site to protest the bombing. They also prevented the authorities from inspecting the site. Some of the protesters also fired gunshots into the air to vent their anger. The resulting confusion led to a brief clash between protesters and paramilitary soldiers. A Rangers official and a protester were allegedly injured in the melee.

Several Shia community leaders rushed to the site to placate the situation. Speaking on the occasion, Allama Nasir Abbas termed the bombing a conspiracy by a “third force” to create differences between Shia and Sunni communities.  He appealed to his community members to show restraint.

In the same breath, however, he hit out at the government and law enforcement agencies saying that the bomb attack proved they had failed to provide security to Karachi’s residents.

But AIG Iqbal Mehmood said that the attacker could not get to his target due to the security arrangements put in place by the authorities. He added that the security agencies had prior reports about the threats terror attacks. All petrol and CNG stations in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal neighbourhood and nearby areas, especially those dominated by the Shia community, have been closed after the blast.

Police officials learnt that the motorcycle used in the attack was registered in the name of one Naeem. Police have reportedly raided Naeem’s residence. However, details of the raid were not available till late in the night.

Without naming any group, police officials said the attack might have been masterminded by banned outfits. IGP Leghari has constituted a four-member team to investigate the blast.

Abbas Town is among the areas declared sensitive by the police during Muharram. Jamia Masjid-o-Imambargah Mustafa is situated near the residence of prominent Shia cleric Allama Hasan Turabi, who was killed in a suicide attack in 2006.

Edited by Zeeshan Ahmad
Published in The Express Tribune, November 19th, 2012.

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