26 inmates freed during first day of Bagram prison transfer

The full responsibility of Bagram prison was handed over to the Afghan government on Monday after US troops handed over around 4,000 prisoners to Afghan security forces during the Afghan year 1391.

According to reports around 100 prisoners are currently kept by US troops and are due to be handed over to Afghan security forces by next week.

Around 26 prisoners were freed from the Bagram prison during the first day of prison transition to Afghan governmnet.

Afghan officials said around 949 prisoners were in the custody of US troops despite an agreement on the transfer of prisoners was signed by the two nations.

The transition of Baram prison to Afghan government was completed during a ceremony held in Bagram on Monday which was attended by Afghan defense minister Bismillah Mohammadi, Gen. Joseph Dunford NATO commander and a number of other high level Afghan and American officials.

Chief of the security transition committee Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai said, “One of the national ambitions of the Afghan people was completed by the transition of Bagram prison today.”

Mr. Ahmadzai further added that the transfer of Bagram prison to Afghan government reflects the respect of United States towards the Afghan constitution and law and this will to further improve bilateral ties between the two nations.

In the meantime NATO commander Gen. Joseph Dunford said United States remains committed to assist Afghanistan.

Afghan defense minister Bismillah Mohammadi said Afghan defense ministry is prepared to take security of the prison and assured that the ministry had taken necessary steps for the security of Bagram prison.

from KHAAMA
By Ghanizada - 25 Mar 2013, 8:49 pm

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12 militants killed in Laghman airstrike

JALALABAD (PAN): A dozen militants, including three of their commanders, were killed in an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) airstrike in Mehtarlam, the capital of eastern Laghman province, an official said on Monday.               

The incident took place on Sunday night in the Abuzai area on the outskirt of the city, a spokesman for the 201st Selab Military Corps, Col. Mohammad Noman Hatifi, told Pajhwok Afghan News.  

He said the rebels came under attack when they were meeting. Their bodies, still lying at the scene, would be handed over to locals, the spokesman added.

from Pajhwok
By Mahbob Shah Mahbob Mar 25, 2013 - 19:41   

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South Africa: 13 South African Soldiers Dead in CAR

map by Evan Centanni (www.polgeonow.com)

Johannesburg — Thirteen South African soldiers were killed and 27 wounded in clashes with rebels in Central African Republic, President Jacob Zuma announced on Monday.
"We are deeply saddened by the events and developments in that country over the past 72 hours, which saw violence escalating and many innocent lives lost. We have confirmed that 13 of our brave soldiers who were committed to fighting for peace and stability in Africa fell in Bangui," Zuma said at a briefing in Pretoria.

"One soldiers is still not accounted for and they are still looking for him.

"Twenty seven were wounded. We wish them a speedy recovery. The chief of the SANDF will provide further details later today on operational matters," Zuma said.

In December, Zuma sent Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to the Central African Republic to assess the security environment and general situation which was tense after the Seleka rebel coalition launched an armed campaign.

The report from that mission recommended an intervention, he said.

On January 2 2013, Zuma as the commander-in-chief authorised the deployment of up to 400 South African soldiers to CAR.

Only 200 of the soldiers had been sent at the time of the attack.

Zuma said South Africa and CAR had signed a military co-operation agreement in 2007. This was renewed for a further five years in December 2012.

That agreement entailed provision of military training to the CAR army and refurbishment of military infrastructure.

The deployment of SANDF troops in CAR was part of the country's effort to contribute towards peace and stability in the region, Zuma said.

SANDF was tasked with building the capacity of the CAR defence force and help the CAR with the planning and implementation of the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration process.

"On behalf of the government and the people of South Africa we would like to convey our sincere condolences to the bereaved families," he said.

The just over 200 soldiers fought armed forces numbering over 1000 in a high tempo battle which lasted nine hours until the rebels raised a white flag and asked for a cease fire.

"South African soldiers inflicted heavy casualties among the attacking bandits," he said.

Zuma said the South African government had not taken any decision to withdraw the army from CAR.

"We have not taken a decision to withdraw. You would in a sense appreciate that there existed an agreement between two countries…And our being there was related to the task that we were given. We defended our base successfully…There has been no reason for us to leave. What we've been looking at is how do we enforce our forces, how do we ensure that there are no further casualties," said Zuma.

"There is no reason for us to issue a command for withdrawal."

from allAfrica/SAPA
By Penwell Dlamini, 25 March 2013

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Kidnapped German aid worker freed in northern Afghanistan

Location map for Badakhshan Province in Afghanistan.  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

According to local authorities in north-eastern Badakhshan province of Afghanistan, Afghan security forces freed a German citizen from the unknown hostage takers in this province.
Provincial security chief Gen. Imamuddin Mutmaein confirming the report said the German citizen used to work in a non-governmental organization in the central city of Faizabad.

Gen. Mutmaein further added that the unknown gunmen had kidnapped the German citizen from Batash village on Sunday.

He said Afghan security forces managed to free the kidnapped German citizen following a military operation conducted in Argo district at Danishmandan village on Sunday night.

At least three suspected individuals were also arrested in connection to the incident.

This comes as unknown gunmen kidnapped at least five foreigners including 2 female doctors in remote mountains of Faizabad district earlier last year.

The aid workers employed by Swiss-based aid group Medair were making their way from Faizabad city in rugged northeast Badakhshan province to visit flood-stricken areas when they were abducted about half-way to their destination.

The kidnapping of foreigners has become relatively common in parts of Afghanistan since U.S-backed Afghan forces toppled the Taliban government in 2001, heralding a 10-year anti-insurgent war.

In 2010, 10 foreign medical workers, including six Americans, were killed in Badakhshan in an attack blamed on insurgents.

from KHAAMA
By Meena Haseeb - 25 Mar 2013, 10:58 am

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In Several Joint Clearance Operations, 12 Armed Taliban Killed (Mar.25.2013.)

 

Publish Date: Mar 25, 2013

In Several Joint Clearance Operations, 12 Armed Taliban Killed

Counterterrorism:

In past 24 hours, Afghan National Police conducted several joint clearance operations with the cooperation of Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces to clean some of the areas from terrorists and enemies of peace and stability of Afghanistan.

The operations were conducted in Kunduz, Kandahar, Zabul, Uruzgan, Khost and Paktika provinces, as a result 12 armed Taliban were killed, three wounded and two other armed Taliban were arrested by Afghan National Security Forces.                                                                                       

 Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated some amount of light and heavy round ammunitions and IEDs.

During the same 24 hour period, Afghan National Police discovered and defused 15 different types of mines placed by enemies of Afghanistan for destructive activities in Helmand, Nimroz and Maidan Wardak provinces.

Counter Crimes:

The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained two suspects accused of drug trafficking and theft in the Bagrami and 13th Districts of Kabul-City.

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Taliban abduct 10 Afghan soldiers, 1 doctor in Badakhshan

According to local authorities in north-eastern Badakhshan province of Afghanistan, Taliban militants abducted at least 10 Afghan national army soldiers along with a doctor in this province.

Provincial governor spokesman Abdul Maroof Rasukh confirming the report said the individuals were abducted by Taliban militants during a military operation in Wardoj district around 3 days back.

Mr. Rasukh furhter added that negotiations have been started to free the army service members along with the doctor from the Taliban hostage.

This comes as Taliban militants abducted at least 20 Afghan national army soldiers a few weeks back and murdered 16 army personnel in Wardoj district. The remaining army soldiers were released by Taliban militants following negotiations by tribal elders.

from KHAAMA
By Ghanizada - 25 Mar 2013, 11:13 am

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Mar. 25., 2013. - ISAF Joint Command Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition security forces confirmed today the death of Taliban leader, Tamim, during an operation in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, March 18.

Tamim was responsible for planning and directing attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, facilitating weapons to fighters throughout Helmand province, and serving as a vital link in the local Taliban’s intelligence apparatus. He also served as a member in illegitimate Taliban judicial proceedings and actively recruited civilians to join a number of insurgent cells.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

Afghan and coalition security forces confirmed today the death of Taliban leader, Gul Ahmad Akhund, during an operation in Nad ‘Ali district, Helmand province, March 17. Akhund had operational control over a cell of insurgent fighters directly responsible for multiple attacks targeting Afghan and coalition forces throughout Helmand province. He was instrumental in acquiring and distributing weapons and ammunition to his fighters.

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Mar. 25., 2013. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces found and safely cleared 13 improvised explosive devices, killed three insurgents and detained one suspected insurgent during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, March 24.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Security Forces detained one suspected insurgent during operations in the Dehyak district. The suspected insurgent was taken to a base for questioning.

Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared 11 IEDs during operations in the Gelan district.

Laghman province
Coalition forces killed three insurgents during operations in the Mehtar Lam district.

Nangarhar province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared an IED during operations in the Surkh Rod district.

Wardak province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared an IED during operations in the Sayyidabad district.

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R.I.P. - Sgt. Tristan M. Wade

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

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

            Sgt. Tristan M. Wade, 23, of Indianapolis, Ind., died March 22 in Qarah Bagh District, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 573rd Clearance Company, 2nd Engineer Battalion, White Sands Missile Range, N.M.  

            For more information media may contact the White Sands Missile Range public affairs office at 575-678-1134, during business hours. After business hours, call 575-993-0637.

---

The Department of Defense announced Sunday that Sgt. Tristan M. Wade, 23, of Indianapolis, Ind., died Friday in Qarah Bagh District, Ghazni Province, in Afghanistan. Wade was killed when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.
"Our hearts are collectively broken because we lost one of our own," said Monte Marlin, chief of public affairs at White Sands. "Our job right now is to support this soldier's family, other soldiers and families at White Sands."
The 573rd Clearance Co. is part of the 2nd Engineer Battalion at WSMR. About 130 soldiers in the company were sent to Afghanistan in early July and its nine-month deployment is scheduled to end in about a month.
Three of the battalion's companies, the 573rd Clearance Co., the 595th Sapper Co., and the 40th Engineer Mobility Augmentation Co. are currently deployed to Afghanistan. Altogether, about 300 of the battalion's 600 soldiers are currently in Afghanistan.
Wade becomes the third soldier in the battalion's company to die in recent years while on deployment.
A local memorial will be held for Wade, but no details have been planned as of yet.

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