Monday, April 1, 2013

At least 8 killed in suicide bombing in Iraq's Tikrit

TIKRIT, Iraq, April 1 (Xinhua) -- At least eight people were killed and 15 wounded when a suicide bomber struck the police headquarters in central Tikrit city, capital of Salahudin province, on Monday, a provincial police source told Xinhua.

The attack occurred in the morning when a suicide bomber blew up an explosive-laden tanker near the police headquarters and a nearby oil facility in central Tikrit, 170 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, the source said on condition of anonymity.

"Our latest report said that eight people were killed and 15 wounded by the huge blast which destroyed parts of the two buildings," the source said.

Iraqi security forces blocked all the roads leading to central Tikrit, while ambulances and police vehicles were evacuating the victims to the city hospitals and medical centers, the source added.

The toll could rise as a rescue team and security forces are removing the debris looking for more victims, he said.

Violence and sporadic high-profile bomb attacks are still common in the Iraqi cities despite the dramatic decrease in violence since its peak in 2006 and 2007, when the country was engulfed in sectarian killings.

from XINHUA
2013-04-01 15:29:14

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Nato containers torched in Balochistan’s Bolan district

(file photo)
QUETTA: Unknown militants torched five containers, carrying back Nato supplies from Afghanistan to Port Qasim Karachi, in Balochistan’s Bolan district on Monday.

Levies sources told Dawn.com that four motorcycle-riding militants opened fire on containers in Kambiri area of Bolan district adding that the drivers survived the attack.

Levies further said that the armed men set containers in fire after the drivers fled from the site.

The attackers  managed to escape  from the spot after the attack.

Levies and police personnel reached the spot and cordoned off the area as investigations into the incident went underway.

Levies said armed men went toward nearby mountains and a search operation was underway in the area.

Militants continue to target Nato supplies in this area for last six years.

There was no claim of responsibility till the filing of this report.

from DAWN
by Syed Ali Shah | 1 hour ago

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Apr. 01., 2013. - ISAF Joint Command Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces confirmed today the death of Panjwa’i district’s ranking Taliban official, Abdullah Wakil, during an operation in Panjwa’i district, Kandahar province, yesterday.

Wakil was running all Taliban operations in the district. He and his network were responsible for a significant number of insurgent activities, including the assassination of Afghan civilians, facilitating weapons and improvised explosive devices, and engaging in multiple attacks on Afghan and coalition forces.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

Afghan and coalition forces confirmed today the arrest of a senior Taliban leader in Nad ‘Ali district, Helmand province, Saturday. The leader was allegedly plotting a campaign of sustained military attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Helmand province during the coming months. He and his subordinates are believed to have participated in a significant number of recent attacks utilizing IEDs and small arms fire.

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Apr. 01., 2013. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared 10 improvised explosive devices, detained four suspected insurgents, discovered one weapons cache during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, March 31.

Ghanzi province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Qarah Bagh district.

Khowst province
Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition Forces found a weapons cache during operations in the Shamal district. The cache contained five anti-personnel mines, IED making materials, one rocket-propelled grenade, one hand grenade, more than 400 PKM rounds, eight AK-47 magazines with rounds, one AK-47 bayonet and two small-arms rifles.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces detained one suspected insurgent during operations in the Shamal district. The suspected insurgent was transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces detained one suspected insurgent during operations in the Khowst district. The suspected insurgent was transferred to a base for questioning.

Kunar province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared two IEDs during operations in the Sar Kani district.

Lagham province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Mehtar Lam district.

Logar province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Muhamad Aghah district.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces detained two suspected insurgents during operations in the Muhammad Aghah district.

The suspected insurgents were transferred to a base for questioning.

Paktika province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Orgun district.

Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Sharan district.

Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared two IEDs during operations in the Wazah Kwah district.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Zormat district.

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Mali Troops, Islamists Clash in Timbuktu

map by Evan Centanni (www.polgeonow.com)
At least one Malian soldier was killed and several others were wounded Sunday during fighting between Malian soldiers backed by French forces  and Islamist militants in the northern city of Timbuktu.

Officials say at least five insurgents were also killed in the shootout that started Saturday night after a group of Islamist militants infiltrated the Saharan city.

The militants linked to al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM, used a suicide bomber as distraction and entered the city while he blew himself up at a military checkpoint.  The militants are trying to recapture the city they held for months until Malian and french troops recaptured it in January.

It is not clear how many rebels have re-entered Timbuktu.

City residents told VOA that the fighting is not far from their homes, and that some civilians have been wounded by stray bullets.  They say they are staying indoors as the clashes continue.

The attack Saturday began hours after a Malian military vehicle drove over a land mine, killing two soldiers.

Mali has been the target of a series of attacks claimed by Islamist insurgents since France launched a military intervention against al-Qaida-linked groups that had seized northern Mali.  France began its operation in Mali in January.

Meanwhile, a contingent of Senegalese troops has arrived in the northern city of Gao to boost a regional intervention force trying to oust the Islamist rebels from there.

French President Francois Hollande has said France plans to begin pulling its troops out of northern Mali in April.  A multi-nation African force being assembled to replace the French needs more training and equipment to protect vulnerable northern Malian towns.

from VOA News
March 31, 2013

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Nigeria: Soldiers Capture Five Boko Haram Suspects

Nigerian soldiers, on Friday, raided and destroyed a house and arsenal belonging to suspected Islamist militants, Boko Haram, in the city of Kano.

"Five suspected Islamic militants were arrested in the raid that saw the military seize more than a dozen improvised explosive devices, bomb-making materials, Kalashnikov rifles and machine guns in the building in the Gaida Ajawa district of the city," Ikedichi Iweha, a spokesman for the Joint military Task Force in Kano, said in a statement on Friday.

Kano is increasingly troubled by the Boko Haram sect who are fighting for the Islamisation of Northern Nigeria and avenging the 2009 extra judicial execution of its leader, Mohammed Yusuf.

Last week 25 people were killed and 65 wounded after suspected members of the sect detonated bombs at a busy bus station in Kano's Sabon Gari area.

from allAfrica/Premium Times
29 March 2013

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Mar. 31., 2013. - ISAF Joint Command Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan and coalition security force detained a senior Taliban leader and several other insurgents during an operation in Pul-e 'Alam district, Logar province, March 31.

The detained leader is accused of a wide range of insurgent operations in Logar, including recruiting extremist fighters, managing the Taliban logistical network for the province, and planning and coordinating attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout
Afghanistan:

South

An Afghan and coalition security force killed or detained several insurgents March 31 during an operation in Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province in search of the district's ranking Taliban official. The leader is accused of overseeing all Taliban operations in the district.

His network is believed to be responsible for a significant number of insurgent activities including the assassination of Afghan civilians, the facilitation of weapons and improvised explosive devices into the district, and of multiple attacks on Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also seized IED-making materials, three rifles, a pistol, six rifle magazines, six pistol magazines and ammunition as a result of the operation.

East

During an operation in Khugyani district, Nangarhar province March 31, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested a senior Taliban leader and one other insurgent. The leader is believed to command a cell of insurgent fighters active in Khugyani district. He and his fighters are accused of illegally procuring various types of weapons and using them in multiple attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also seized one AK-47 and a pistol as a result of the operation.

An Afghan and coalition security force detained an insurgent leader connected to both the Taliban and Haqqani networks and two other insurgents during an operation in Gardez district, Paktiya province, March 31. The leader is believed to have planned and executed multiple attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout Gardez district.

He is also accused of having ordered assassinations, and is considered a key player in weapons facilitation in the local area. During the operation, the security force also seized IED components.

The Kapisa Provincial Response Company, advised by coalition forces, arrested Najibullah Rahimi, the Tagab District Representative to the Kapisa Provincial Council March 30 in Kapisa province. Najibullah is accused of financing a lethal-aid network and facilitating insurgent operations in the area. As a result of the operation, the combined force also seized nine AK-47s, five grenades, $50,000 in sequentially-numbered $100 bills and numerous cell phones and computers.

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Mar. 31., 2013. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition Forces found and safely cleared eleven improvised explosive devices, detained one suspected insurgent and killed 15 insurgents during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, March 30.

Ghanzi province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Qarah Bagh district.

Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition Forces killed 15 insurgents during operations in Ghanzi. The insurgents were conducting illegal checkpoints and staging for an ambush.

Lagham province
Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Mehtar Lam district.

Logar province
Coalition Forces detained one suspected insurgent during operations in the Pul-E-Alam district. The suspected insurgent was transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared three IEDs during operations in the Muhammad Aghah district.

Paktika province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared five IEDs during operations in the Dila Wa Khosha district.

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

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Attack on major water dam foiled in Herat province of Afghanistan

According to local authorities in western Herat province of Afghanistan  Afghan security forces prevented a major explosion plot on Salma water dam.
Provincial governor spokesman for western Herat province, Mohiuddin Noori confirming the report said Afghan intelligence — National Directorate of Security (NDS) forces along with the Afghan national army soldiers seized around 1300kgs of explosives from Chesht and pashtun Zarghoon districts.

Mr. Noori further added that the explosives were imported from outside the country in a bid to destroy Salma water dam.

Without elaborating further, Mohiuddin Noori added that the explosives seized by Afghan security forces were among the most dangerous and destructive in its kind and investigations have been started in this regard.

This comes as the Afghan national security council has repeatedly expressed concerns regarding the inteferrence of neighboring countries of Afghanistan to stop the construction of Salma water dam.

Herat provincial governor following a press conference earlier also said that the neighboring countries of Afghanistan are struggling to stop the work of Salma dam project.

Salma dam is located in Chesht district, 180 kilometers away from western Herat city.

The construction work of Salma dam was due to be completed within the three years by an Indian construction however the construction work has been delayed due to growing instability in this province.

from KHAAMA
By Ghanizada - 31 Mar 2013, 3:16 pm

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Vietnam Veterans Day 2013

Statement by Secretary Chuck Hagel on Vietnam Veterans Day

            Today and this weekend, communities across the country commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day.

            This year we also mark forty years since the end of U.S. combat operations in Vietnam.  On March 29, 1973, the last of our combat forces departed the country and the final release of American prisoners of war drew to a close.

            When Vietnam veterans reached their hometowns, many were not greeted with the appreciation and respect they very much deserved.  In our time we must take every opportunity to thank all veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice.

            More than 1,600 service members remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.  Their families still seek answers.  Today, the Department of Defense reaffirms its commitment to take all steps to account for our missing personnel and bring closure to their families.  And we salute and thank our Vietnam veterans and their families.

U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release
On the Web: http://www.defense.gov/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=15898
IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 193-13
March 29, 2013
 ---

The United States Of America Vietnam War Commemoration

http://www.vietnamwar50th.com 

--

 


Veterans' Stories of the Vietnam Memorial, 30 Years Later 

by AARP, Published on Oct 31, 2012


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Taliban set free Turkish engineer

KABUL (PAN): The Taliban said they released a Turkish engineer held hostage two years ago and handed him over to Turkish officials in the Tagab district of central Kapisa province on Sunday afternoon.

A spokesman for the group, Zabihullah Mujahid said engineer Surtaj was freed as a goodwill gesture from the movement towards the people of Turkey. He said the fighters had seized the engineer about two years ago on suspicion of being a spy with some documents

Mujahid said the release came after requests from Turkish officials were accepted by a Taliban commander who ordered the detainee freed.

The Taliban spokesman said the hostage's human rights were respected during his captivity.

Provincial officials and Turkish Embassy in Kabul remain tightlipped over the release.

from Pajhwok
By Javed Hamim Kakar Mar 31, 2013 - 17:51

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NATO airstrike kills child, 9 Taliban fighters

GHAZNI, Afghanistan —A NATO helicopter killed at least one child and nine suspected Taliban fighters in Afghanistan's east on Saturday, officials and local residents said.

Last month, Afghan President Hamid Karzai forbade Afghan forces from calling for NATO air support and forbade international forces from using airstrikes “in Afghan homes or villages.”

NATO initially said that the strike was in support of Afghan troops, which would be in contravention of the president's orders, but later said new information showed the helicopter had struck the insurgents separately.

“This was an independently acquired and engaged target,” said ISAF spokesman Adam Wojack.

There were conflicting reports on the death toll from the airstrike. A Reuters reporter saw the bodies of two children. One was in a school uniform. Local elder Jan Mohammad and other residents said he was killed in the airstrike.

The reporter also saw the hand and foot of a toddler at the site of the airstrike, but the circumstances of the death were not immediately clear.

Senior police detective Mohammad Hussain said nine Taliban and one school-age child were killed in the airstrike. He also said a woman was killed and eight civilians were wounded in a firefight between Afghan security forces and insurgents.

from triblive
Published: Saturday, March 30, 2013, 5:30 p.m.




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