50 Insurgents Including Three Taliban Leaders Killed in Helmand Clashes

Districts of Helmand Province. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Around 50 insurgents including three Taliban leaders were killed during the three-day clash at Sangin district in southern Helmand province, local officials said on Wednesday. 18 other insurgents were injured in the clash.

The Governor of Southern Helmand province Mohammad Naeem at a press conference in the capital of the province Lashkargah, said that the clash started on Monday in Sangin district and is still continuing in certain parts of the district.

"The insurgents form their forces by recruiting people from everywhere, many insurgents are from Sangin and some are even taken in from the adjoining provinces like Kandahar and Helmand. This is not all; good numbers of foreigners are also taken into the insurgent's force. The preliminary assessments showed that there were several insurgents involved in the clash," the Governor told reporters.

Five security forces were killed and nine others injured in the clash, according to the Governor.

The Governor added that foreign security forces are not involved in the clash, only Afghan security forces are fighting against the insurgent groups.

He said that the clash had started on Monday when many insurgents gathered in the Sangin district to plan their insurgency activities both in Helmand and Kandahar provinces.

Currently, the clashes are continuing in 13 parts of the district.

The Governor has asked all security organizations to help them clean the district of these insurgents.

from TOLONEWS
Wednesday, 22 May 2013 16:08
Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 May 2013 17:33
Written by Saboory Ghafoor; Edited by Kabir Goswami

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26 attackers killed in Sangin battle

LASHKARGAH (PAN): As many as 26 Taliban insurgents and four policemen were killed during fierce gun-battles entering a second day on Tuesday in southern Helmand province, an official said.

Hundreds of Taliban fighters, including foreigners, launched cooperated attacks on police posts in the Sangin district around 5am on Monday, the governor's spokesman said.

Omar Zwak said the clashes that involved around 1,000 militants were still ongoing in various parts of the town. A number of attackers and five policemen were injured.

He said Arab, Chechen, Iranian and Pakistani insurgents were fighting alongside the Afghan Taliban using both heavy and light weapons.

He said the insurgents launched cooperated attacks on security posts in Sarwan Qala, upper and lower Qalawal, Mian Rodi, Fatehzai and other areas. Zwak said the security forces were putting up stiff resistance and they had no support from foreign troops.

However, the US-led coalition said the Taliban force totaled 80 to 100 fighters and managed to launch only sporadic attacks on outlying police posts in the district.

Ten groups of between 8 and 10 Taliban fighters were “doing drive-by shootings against five police checkpoints,” said Col. Thomas Collins, a coalition spokesman. “None of the checkpoints were overrun."

A Taliban spokesman Qari Yousaf Ahmadi claimed nearly a dozen policemen were killed and a dozen more injured and two police vehicles destroyed in the attacks.

from Pajhwok
By Shams Jalal May 21, 2013 - 19:31   

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Pakistani and Chechen rebels attack police check post in Helmand

Districts of Helmand Province. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

At least 23 Taliban militants including Pakistani and Chechen fighters were killed after attacking a police check post in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan.

Local officials in Helmand province said the incident took place in Sangin district, leaving four Afghan police officers dead.

Provincial governor spokesman Omar Zwak said the attack was carried out jointly by Pakistani and Chechen militants.

He said clashes started late Monday and the two sides are still exchanging fire.

In the meantime Taliban militants group claimed around 10 police officers along with thier commander were killed.

This comes as Afghan defense ministry on Monday announced that hundreds of Pakistani and foreign militants were deployed to Afghanistan to carry out attacks in Afghanistan.

Defense ministry spokesman Gen. Zahir Azimi said several religious Madrasas teaching Taliban militants were closed and the fighters were deployed in Afghanistan.

from KHAAMA
By Mirwais Adeel - 21 May 2013, 11:52 am

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Suicide bomber attack Afghan, NATO troops convoy in Helmand

According to local authorities in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan, at least 7 people including 2 civlians and 5 police forces were injured following a suicide attack in this province.

The officials further added, the incident took place after a suicide bomber rammed a vehicle packed with explosives into a joint convoy of Afghan and coalition security forces in Sangin district on Friday.

Sangin district governor Mohammad Daud Noorzai confirming the report said the incident took place around 11am local time.

In the meantime a spokesman for the Taliban group Qari Yosuf Ahmadi claimed responsibility behind the incident and said at least 10 Afghan security forces and 10 coalition forces were killed following the attack.

Local officials however denied the claims by the Taliban group and said only 5 Afghan police officers from the public order forces were injured along with two other civilians.

from KHAAMA
By Sadaf Shinwari - 20 Apr 2013, 9:23 am

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7 killed in Afghan police checkpoint attack in S. province

Kabul, March 13 (Xinhua-ANI): One Afghan policeman and six militants were killed in an attack launched overnight by Taliban at a checkpoint in southern Afghanistan province of Helmand, an official said Wednesday.

"Unknown number of Taliban militants raided a police checkpoint in Zhranda area of Sangin district late Tuesday night as a result one policeman and six militants were killed," the administrative chief of the Sangin, Mohammad Sharif, told Xinhua.

He said one cop was also wounded in the attack in the province 555 km south of Afghan capital of Kabul.

The attack also partially damaged the checkpoint and the police also seized six rounds of guns following the attack, he added.

In neighboring Marjeh district, a joint unit of Afghan forces and the NATO-led coalition troops in an operation in search of a Taliban commander captured three insurgents earlier Wednesday.

"The Taliban commander is suspected of holding senior administrative responsibilities for the insurgent network in Marjeh, and to have been deeply involved in planning, coordinating and conducting attacks against Afghan and coalition forces," the NATO-led coalition forces said in a press release.

"He is also thought to have significant knowledge regarding the composition of the insurgency in the local area. The security force also seized two machine guns and 400 rounds of ammunition as a result of the operation," the release added.

The Taliban insurgent group, which has been waging an insurgency of more than one decade, has yet to make comments. (Xinhua-ANI)

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June 12., 2012. - RC Southwest Operational Update

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - A local national was shot by insurgents and died of gunshot wounds to his chest in the Nahr-e-Saraj District of Helmand, June 12.

A local national in the Kajaki district of Helmand stepped on an improvised explosive device and was brought to an ISAF location by his cousin. He later died from his injuries.

Twenty insurgents from the Yasin Party were killed and seven were injured after an attack on local police at checkpoints in the Bostanzo area of Sangin District, July 11. Two local police were killed and six injured as a result of the insurgent's attack. ISAF provided air assistance to the police and the remaining insurgents fled towards the Musa Qala district.

Regional Command Southwest

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June 02., 2012. - RC Southwest Operational Update

Regional Command Southwest Operations Update: Insurgents arrested and killed, Bomb Cache and one civilian dies due to an IED.

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The Afghan Uniformed Police brought in 250lbs of explosives and other IED materials to an ISAF location in the Musa Qala district of Helmand province, June 1. The materials were subsequently safely destroyed and no longer pose a threat to local civilians.

Also yesterday, a local national struck an IED in the Sangin district. Local nationals brought the severely injured person to an ISAF location to receive medical attention, but he died of wounds en route.

The Helmand Governor's Media Centre reports today that in separate planned security operations conducted over the past four days an insurgent commander was killed. Afghan security forces also seized 37kg of narcotics and arrested five insurgents including a known insurgent who had been accused of killing a policeman. Afghan security forces also reacted to insurgent attacks during this period and in one incident in the Musa Qala district, 15 insurgents were killed, leaving two police injured. During this same period another police officer was killed in a separate incident in the Gereshk district.

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/89336/regional-command-southwest-operations-update-insurgents-arrested-and-killed-bomb-cache-and-one-civilian-dies-due-ied#.T8tNnKx_WNI#ixzz1wjJI4iHC

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May 30., 2012. - RC Southwest Operational Update

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Two local children were wounded today, one of which received a double foot amputation, when an improvised explosive device exploded in the Kajaki district of Helmand province. The children were taken to a coalition medical facility for treatment.

*The below information has been provided by the Afghan National Army 215th Maiwand Corps Public Affairs Office.

In Sangin district, Helmand province, the 1st Brigade Heavy Weapons and the 2nd Company, 2nd Battalion of the 4th Brigade, 215th Maiwand Corps, conducted a joint clearing operation yesterday as part of Operation Omid. As a result, 25 Taliban insurgents were killed and 5 more were wounded. Fifteen different types of weapons and 30 IEDs were captured. The IEDs were then destroyed at a secured location. The 215th Corps did not suffer any casualties.

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R.I.P. - Hospitalman Eric D. Warren

DOD Identifies Navy Casualty

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

             Hospitalman Eric D. Warren, of Shawnee, Okla., died May 26 of wounds received in action due to an improvised explosive device blast in Sangin District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, 1st Marine Division (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), Camp Lejeune, N.C.

             For more information media may contact the 2nd Marine Division Public Affairs Office at 910-450-6575.

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May 09., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan (May 9) — An Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to detain a Taliban leader in Zharay district, Kandahar province, today.
The leader serves as the senior insurgent in Sangin district and attempts to enforce Taliban law on civilians in the area. He also plans and executes roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces throughout the district.

The security force detained multiple suspected insurgents as a result of this operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

An Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to detain a senior Taliban leader in Ghorak district, Helmand province, today. The leader is responsible for Taliban operations against Afghan and coalition security forces in Sangin and Kajaki districts. He is also active in intimidation and murder campaigns against Afghan civilians in Northern Helmand who refuse to adhere to Taliban law. Multiple suspected insurgents were detained during the operation.

In Reg-e Khan Neshin district, Helmand province, an Afghan and coalition security force discovered a drug cache during a routine patrol yesterday. The cache consisted of more than 1,030 pounds (470 kilograms) of narcotics. The force also discovered an AK-47 along with four ammunition magazines with 115 rounds. All of the items were confiscated and taken to an ISAF installation for examination and disposal.

A combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered a drug cache during a routine patrol in Nawah-ye Barakzai district, Helmand province, yesterday. The cache consisted of 1,980 pounds (900 kilograms) of narcotics which were destroyed on-site.

East

In Andar district, Ghazni province, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to detain a Taliban leader today. The leader conducts roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition troops, primarily along Highway 1. He also directs suicide attacks and indirect fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forward operating bases. The security force detained two suspected insurgents as a result of this operation.

Finally, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to detain a Taliban leader in Maidan Shahr district, Wardak province, today. The leader organizes roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition troops throughout the province, and supplies weapons and ammunition to insurgents in the area. Two suspected insurgents were detained during the operation.

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Motorbike bomb rocks Afghan southern town of Sangin, 11 injured

Cropped version of a larger map to show detail around Lashkar Gah (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, April 13 (Xinhua) -- A motorbike bomb rocked Sangin town in the southern Helmand province 555 km south of capital Kabul on Friday, injuring 11 people, an official said.

"The terrorists planted explosive in the cavities of a motorcycle and detonated it by remote control in the bazaar of Sangin district at around 08:00 a.m. local time as a result 11 people were injured," spokesman for provincial administration Daud Ahmadi told Xinhua.

There are one police and a child among the injured and the remaining are adult people, all civilians, he further said.

He also blamed the enemies of peace, a term used by Afghan officials against Taliban militants for organizing the attack. However, the armed outfit fighting Afghan government is yet to make comment.

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Two suicide bombers killed in Helmand province

The Afghan National Civil Order Police gunned down two suicide bombers before they could detonate their explosives at a civilian area in the Sangin District of Helmand province, yesterday.

No ANP member harmed in this incident.

In the meantime, Afghan National Civil Order Police discovered and defused 25 kilograms of explosives, two anti-vehicle mines and 750 meters wire as a result of searching operation in the Zhirai District of Kandahar province, yesterday.

Additionally, Afghan National Border Police arrested a man with 50 drums full of explosives which were placed on a vehicle in the Torkham border, Nangarhar province.

The discovery and defusing of IEDs show that the ANP now are more professional and experienced, and are able to protect civilian and this is a good step forward in improving the security and stability in the country.
 

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Marine receives Silver Star for actions in Afghanistan

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.  — The parade deck at San Mateo was filled with Marines March 29, as Sgt. Ryan T. Sotelo, a San Mateo, Calif. native, was awarded the Silver Star. He was honored for the actions he took as a squad leader with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment while deployed to Sangin District, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. Ryan T. Sotelo, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, shakes hands with Lt. Col. Christeon C. Griffin, battalion commander, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, after receiving the Silver Star at San Mateo, Calif., March 30. Sotelo received the United States’ third highest award for combat valor for actions he took as a squad leader with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment while deployed to Sangin District, Afghanistan. -  photo by Lance Cpl. Timothy Childers,

Maj. Gen. Ronald L. Bailey, commanding general, 1st Marine Division, presented the medal to Sotelo, who is now a scout sniper with Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The Silver Star Medal is the United States’ third highest award for combat valor and is fifth in the precedence of military awards.

“It was humbling when the general pinned on the star,” said Sotelo. “When we perform out in country we don’t do it for metals, we do it for the Marine on the right and left of us.”

On Nov. 25, 2010, Sotelo’s squad was ambushed in an open field with machinegun and small arms fire, killing the platoon commander. Without hesitation, Sotelo took charge of the unit and moved them to a nearby canal. He then sprinted through heavy fire across open ground to retrieve the body of his fallen lieutenant.

With the defensive position now unreachable because of intense small arms fire, he called in supporting arms to cover the squad’s movement to a nearby compound. As insurgents began to assault the position, he fearlessly led his squad as they repelled the enemy.

When one enemy combatant began to fire on an exposed Marine, Sotelo closed in on the insurgent and killed him with a grenade.

 “As soon as we got across, we got lit up and engaged in every direction,” said Cpl. Jose Launder, Company K, 3rd Bn., 5th Marines. “Sotelo just ran over and threw a grenade.”

After a reinforcing Marine unit was pinned down by heavy fire from the insurgents, Sotelo again disregarded his own safety to engage the enemy machinegun with rifle, finally calling in an air strike that silenced the enemy fire.

“I think a lot of us are here because of his actions that day,” added Launder.
Realizing that his situation was dire, Sotelo lead a fighting withdrawal more than 600 meters through enemy fire to bring his squad back to friendly lines and safety.  

Sergeant Sotelo will continue serving his country as he prepares for the 15th MEU’s upcoming deployment scheduled for this summer.

3/31/2012  By Lance Cpl. Timothy Childers  , 15th MEU 
marines.mil 

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