Helmand High Peace Council Chief Killed in Taliban Attack

Helmand Province. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The provincial chief of High Peace Council Moalem Shah Wali Khan and two of his bodyguards were killed in a Taliban ambush in southern Helmand province early Wednesday, local officials said.

Four other of his bodyguards were injured in the attack.

The incident took place about 10:00am in Yakhcha area of Gereshk district while, Moalam Shah Wali Khan was travelling in the district to join in a meeting with the residents to discuss about the fifth phase of security transition, provincial governor's spokesman Mohammad Omar Zhuwak said.

"The Taliban attacked their vehicles on the way, killing Shah Wali Khan and two of his bodyguards and injuring four other bodyguards," Zhuwak said.

The provincial deputy governor Masoud Bakhtawar was also with them [Shah Wali Khan], but he survived from the attack, he said.

Moalem Shah Wali Khan was also a tribal elder in Nawa district of the province and recently worked as the provincial chief of High Peace council.

However, no group including the Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Gereskh district is considered an insecure areas in the province where insurgents frequently target local security forces.

Written by TOLOnews.com
Wednesday, 01 May 2013 13:13
Last Updated on Wednesday, 01 May 2013 15:14

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Several school girls poisoned in capital Kabul

Several school girls were poisoned in a high school in capital Kabul on Wednesday morning.

A school teacher in Sultan Razia high school said the incident took place after the students entered to their classrooms which was sprayed with the toxic material.

According to the school teacher the students were immediately taken to the hospital for treatment purposes using three ambulances.

In the meantime Afghan education ministry officials confirmed the report and said around 20 school girls have been taken to the hospital so far.

Sultan Razia high school is located in the 7th district of Kabul city in Chel Situn area where hundreds of students are attending their studies on daily basis.

This comes as over 60 school girls were poisoned due to unknown reasons in the capital city of northeastern Takhar province last month.

The incident took place in Bibi Maryam girls high school early Sunday morning on 19 of April last month, and the students were taken to hospital for treatment purposes.

Several dozen of gas attacks against girl schools have been reported across Afghanistan over the past couple of years.

No group or individual has claimed the responsibility for the incidents so far. Radical Islamic groups and anti-government militants had in the past been blamed for such gas attacks.

from KHAAMA
By Meena Haseeb - 01 May 2013, 11:29 am

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

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and two other insurgents during an operation in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, today.

The leader oversees improvised explosive device emplacement operations throughout Nahr-e Saraj. He also serves as a weapons facilitator, procuring and distributing explosives, rocket-propelled grenades, ammunition and other military equipment to his fellow Taliban leaders for use in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested seven insurgents during an operation in search of a senior Taliban leader in Panjwa’i district, Kandahar province, today. The leader is in charge of a cell of fighters responsible for direct and indirect-fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also coordinates improvised explosive device and suicide bomber operations throughout Kandahar province, and is involved in insurgent weapons facilitation.

Afghan Provincial Response Company Zabul, enabled by coalition forces, killed one insurgent, arrested three others and seized a cache of weapons, grenades and ammunition while conducting a cordon and search operation in Shah Joy District, Zabul province yesterday. All seized items were destroyed on site.

East

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani leader and one other insurgent during an operation in Gardez district, Paktiya province, today. The leader is responsible for improvised explosive device attacks, ambushes, and kidnapping operations against Afghan and coalition forces in Gardez district. He is also connected to multiple suicide bombings, and coordinates the movement of weapons in the local area.

Afghan Provincial Response Company Ghazni, enabled by coalition forces, seized a large cache of weapons and explosives during a cache recovery mission in Ghazni district, Ghazni province, yesterday. The cache consisted of 40 kg (88 pounds) of homemade explosives, sixteen detonators, several radios and various IED making materials. The security forces destroyed all materials in place.

Afghan National Army Special Forces and U.S. Special Forces provided a quick reaction force for the Ghardez Kala Afghan Local Police checkpoint, successfully defending the checkpoint from insurgents in Andar district, Ghazni province, yesterday. During the attack, the ALP suffered a casualty. The AUP/ALP notified the Operations Coordination Center of the District and evacuated the wounded ALP to the Miri Clinic.

Responding to an attack on the Afghan Local Police, an Afghan Security Forces quick reaction force, led by members of Provincial Response Company Laghman, killed three insurgents near the village of Besram in Alingar district, Laghman province, yesterday. The Afghan force engaged several insurgents as they were attacking the ALP checkpoint shortly after being dispatched by the district Operation Coordination Center.

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

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security and coalition forces killed six insurgents, detained four suspected insurgents and found and safely cleared five improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, April 30.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Security Forces killed six insurgents during operations in the Gelan district.

Coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Ghazni district.

Khowst province
Afghan National Security and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Bak district.

Afghan National Security Forces detained one suspected insurgent during operations in the Sabari district. The suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Paktika province
Coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Sar Rowzah fistrict.

Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED and detained three suspected insurgents during operations in the Zarghoon Shar district. The suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

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

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Seven civilians killed in cargo plane crash at Afghan air base (VIDEO)

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Seven civilians were killed aboard a U.S.-contracted cargo plane that crashed shortly after takeoff from Bagram air field in Afghanistan on Monday, according to the international military coalition.

The cause of the crash has not been determined, Capt. Dan Einert, a spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force, told The Times Tuesday morning. Einert said there was no indication of enemy activity in the area at the time of the crash.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the crash, but the insurgent group often issues false claims.

Einert did not provide information on the nationalities of the civilian crew members killed aboard the plane, which he said was leased by National Air Cargo, with U.S. headquarters in Orchard Park, N.Y.

A brief statement on the company's website confirmed the crash and gave the plane's aircraft identification number as 949CA and the flight number as NCR102. It provided no other information.

Coalition forces rely heavily on contracted aircraft to haul troops and supplies in a nation where roadside bombs and insurgent attacks make traveling by road dangerous.

Zamaray Khan, the local district police chief, said the plane crashed as it was taking off but provided no other details. Bagram is about an hour's drive north of the capital, Kabul, and is one of the two largest air bases serving coalition forces in Afghanistan.

from LA Times
By David Zucchino and Hashmat Baktash
April 29, 2013, 9:25 p.m.
---

UPDATE:

R.I.P.
pilots Brad Hasler of Trenton, Mich. and Jeremy Lipka of Brooklyn, Mich.;
First Officer Rinku Summan of Canton, Mich.;
First Officer Jamie Brokaw
loadmaster Michael Sheets of Ypsilanti, Mich.;
and maintenance crew Gary Stockdale of Romulus, Mich. and Timothy Garrett of Louisville, Ky.

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3 NATO soldiers killed following blast in Afghanistan - UPDATED

UPDATE (May.01.2013.)
from MOD UK:

Organisation: Ministry of Defence

Published: 1 May 2013

Field of operation: Afghanistan

It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must announce that 3 soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland were killed in Afghanistan on Tuesday 30 April.

The soldiers’ vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device whilst on a routine patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province. They received immediate medical attention and were evacuated by air to the military hospital at Camp Bastion, but could not be saved.

---
At least three NATO service members were killed following a roadside bomb blast in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday.

NATO-led coalition security forces following a statement announced, “Three International Security Assistance Force service members died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan today.”

The statement did not disclose further information regarding the exact location of the incident and nationalities of the deceased soliders.

Coalition security forces officials generally do not disclose identities of the NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan saying, “It is ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities.”

At least 42 NATO service members including 33 US troops, 3 British troops and 6 soldiers from the other NATO member countries have been killed in Afghanistan since the beginning of 2012.

This comes as Taliban on Sunday launched what it called its annual “spring offensive” and pledged to target foreign military bases and diplomatic areas.

Taliban militants frequently use improvised explosive device as the weapon of their choice to target Afghan and coalition security forces.

from KHAAMA
By Mirwais Adeel - 30 Apr 2013, 9:59 pm
---
ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan – Three International Security Assistance Force service members died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan today.
It is ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities.

Date Taken:04.30.2013
Date Posted:04.30.2013 10:06
Location:KABUL, AF

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Apr. 30., 2013. - ISAF Joint Command Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban facilitator and one other insurgent during an operation in Pul-e ‘Alam district, Logar province, today.

The facilitator is responsible for acquiring and distributing weapons to insurgent forces throughout Pul-e ‘Alam district. He is also involved in improvised explosive device, small arms and mortar attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, and conducts reconnaissance operations against coalition military forces.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

East

Afghan and coalition security forces confirmed today the arrest of a high-profile attack facilitator for the Taj Mir Jawad insurgent network during an operation in Gardez district, Paktiya province, Sunday. The TMJ facilitator is responsible for providing weapons and funding for his fellow insurgent fighters. At the time of his arrest, he was gathering supplies and fighters for a future high-profile attack against Afghan and coalition forces.

Responding to an attack on the Afghan Local Police, an Afghan Security Forces quick reaction force killed three insurgents and wounded four others in Muqor district, Ghazni province, yesterday. The Afghan force engaged several insurgents that were attacking the ALP checkpoint with PKM and AK-47 fire shortly after being dispatched by the district Operation Coordination Center.

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Apr. 30., 2013. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security and coalition forces killed three insurgents, detained three suspected insurgents and found and safely cleared one improvised explosive device during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, April 29.

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

Kapisa province
Afghan National Security Forces killed one insurgent during operations in the Alah Say district.

Kunar province
Afghan National Security Forces killed one insurgent during operations in the Manogai district.

Laghman province
Afghan National Security and coalition forces killed one insurgent during operations in the Mehtar Lam district.

Paktika province
Afghan National Security Forces detained three suspected insurgents during operations in the Sharan district. The suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

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R.I.P. - Capt. Cyr, Capt. Nishizuka, Staff Sgt. Dickson, Staff Sgt. Fannin

DOD Identifies Air Force Casualties
            The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four airmen who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            They died April 27, near Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, in the crash of an MC-12 aircraft.  The cause of the crash is under investigation, however initial reporting indicates there was no enemy activity in the area at the time of the crash.

            Killed were:

            Capt. Brandon L. Cyr, 28, of Woodbridge, Va.  He was assigned to the 906th Air Refueling Squadron, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.  For more information, media may contact the 375th Air Mobility Wing public affairs office at 618-256-4241 or 618-977-2266.

            Capt. Reid K. Nishizuka, 30, of Kailua, Hawaii.  He was assigned to the 427th Reconnaissance Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, Calif.  For more information, media may contact the 9th Reconnaissance Wing public affairs office at 530-634-8887 or 530-634-5700.

            Staff Sgt. Richard A. Dickson, 24, of Rancho Cordova, Calif.  He was assigned to the 306th Intelligence Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, Calif.  For more information, media may contact the 9th Reconnaissance Wing public affairs office at 530-634-8887 or 530-634-5700.

            Staff Sgt. Daniel N. Fannin, 30, of Morehead, Ky.  He was assigned to the 552nd Operations Support Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.  For more information, media may contact the 72nd Air Base Wing public affairs office at 405-414-3674 or 405-739-2171.

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Capt. Reid K. Nishizuka, 30, of Kailua, Hawaii died April 27, near Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, in the crash of an MC-12 aircraft. The cause of the crash is under investigation, however initial reporting indicates there was no enemy activity in the area at the time of the crash. He was assigned to the 427th Reconnaissance Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, Calif. Reid graduated from Kailua High School in 2000 and studied aerospace engineering at Notre Dame University. He entered military service in June, 2005 and completed multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan before his most recent tour. Nishizuka arrived at Beale in November, 2012 and deployed to Afghanistan in the spring of 2013.


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Capt. Brandon L. Cyr, 28, of Woodbridge, Va. died April 27, near Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, in the crash of an MC-12 aircraft. The cause of the crash is under investigation, however initial reporting indicates there was no enemy activity in the area at the time of the crash. He was assigned to the 906th Air Refueling Squadron, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Capt Cyr, an instructor pilot, was a member of the 906th Air Refueling Squadron within the 375th Air Mobility Wing, its parent unit for administrative purposes. However, he flew alongside members of the Illinois Air National Guard's 126th Air Refueling Wing as part of the Air Force's Total Force Integration efforts. Cyr was part of an initial team of pilots who help to stand up the 906th ARS for the TFI effort. He most recently served as an executive officer for the 126th ARW commander, Col. Peter Nezamis. At the time of his death, he had earned more than 1,700 flying hours - 900 of those in combat.

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Staff Sgt. Daniel N. Fannin, 30, of Morehead, Ky., died April 27, near Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, in the crash of an MC-12 aircraft. The cause of the crash is under investigation, however initial reporting indicates there was no enemy activity in the area at the time of the crash. He was assigned to the 552nd Operations Support Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. Fannin was a sensory operator assigned to the 552nd Operations Support Squadron at Tinker. He joined the Air Force in 2001 after graduating from high school in Morehead. During his 11 years of service, he has served as an E-3 air surveillance technician as well as a MC-12 sensor operator. He had three previous deployed tours as an E-3 AWACS Air Surveillance Technician and MC-12 Sensor Operator. He was qualified as an instructor air surveillance technician, and also served with distinction in the 960th Airborne Air Control Squadron at Tinker.

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Staff Sgt. Richard A. Dickson, 24, of Rancho Cordova, Calif., died April 27, near Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, in the crash of an MC-12 aircraft. The cause of the crash is under investigation, however initial reporting indicates there was no enemy activity in the area at the time of the crash. He was assigned to the 306th Intelligence Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, Calif. At the time of his deployment, SSG had flown more than 120 combat missions and was the recipient of six air medals.

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• Capt. Brandon L. Cyr, 28, Capt. Reid K. Nishizuka, 30, Staff Sgt. Richard A. Dickson, 24, Staff Sgt. Daniel N. Fannin, 30 (goodsoldiersorg.wordpress.com)

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