Another 2 suicide bomber kills children in Kandahar today (+video)

After the first suicide bombings, a double-attack kills dozens in Kandahar today.

On Tuesday evening, an improvised explosive device exploded without causing any injuries, said Zalmai Ayubi, spokesman for the Kandahar governor. But when police and locals gathered around the area of the blast, a suicide bomber on a motorcycle blew himself up near the crowd, he said.
Nine people -- including six police and three civilians -- were killed, according to Dr. Abdul Qayoom Pokhla, director of health department in Kandahar. Sixteen others were injured.

U.S. soldiers walk with their Afghan translator near the scene of a suicide attack in Kandahar, south of Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012.

Today results of the "trio" bombings: 12 dead (4 ANP, 8 civvies). 35 wounded (10 ANP, 25 civvies). 4 dead, 6 wounded are children.

really sad day....

a news report video from British Forces News:

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Al Qaeda brokers new anti-US Taliban alliance in Pakistan and Afghanistan

One of al Qaeda's top leaders has reached out to the most powerful Taliban commanders along the Afghan-Pakistani border to create a new alliance to battle the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan.
The new alliance, which is called the Shura-e-Murakeba, consists of four major Taliban groups that operate in Pakistan's tribal areas.

 

By Bill Roggio - January 3, 2012 - LWJ

One of al Qaeda's top leaders has reached out to the most powerful Taliban commanders along the Afghan-Pakistani border to create a new alliance to battle the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan.
The new alliance, which is called the Shura-e-Murakeba, consists of four major Taliban groups that operate in Pakistan's tribal areas. The four groups that make up the alliance are the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, which is led by Hakeemullah Mehsud and his deputy, Waliur Rehman Mehsud; Hafiz Gul Bahadar's group; Mullah Nazir's group; and the Haqqani Network. Each leader has appointed a deputy to represent them on the council.
The members of the Shura-e-Murakeba agreed to cease attacks against Pakistani security forces, refocus efforts against the US, and end kidnappings and other criminal activities in the tribal areas.
The deal was brokered by senior al Qaeda leader Abu Yahya al Libi as well as by Sirajuddin Haqqani, the operational leader of the Haqqani Network, and Mullah Mansour, a senior Taliban leader who operates in eastern Afghanistan. An al Qaeda leader known as Abdur Rehman Al Saudi was also involved in the negotiations. Mullah Omar, the overall leader of the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan, is said to have dispatched Siraj and Mansour to help negotiate the agreement.
The meetings took place over the course of the past two months, according to reports from the region. One of the first meetings was said to have been held in Azam Warzak in South Waziristan, an area under the control of Mullah Nazir, on Nov. 27. Another meeting was reported to have taken place in Datta Khel in North Waziristan on Dec. 11. Over the past weekend, pamphlets were distributed in North Waziristan announcing the creation of the Shura-e-Murakeba.
"All Mujahideen, local and foreigners, are informed that they should desist from killing and kidnapping for ransom innocent people and cooperate with this committee in curbing crimes. If any Mujahid is found involved in unjustified killings, crimes and other illegal activities he will be answerable to Shura-i-Murakbah and will be punished in accordance with the Shariah law," the statement said, according to Dawn.

Read more and the full article: 
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/01/al_qaeda_brokers_new.php#ixzz1iPATYNKr

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Arab League Calls for End to Gunfire in Syria

The Arab League's Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi has called for an end to gunfire in Syria as tanks and army forces are withdrawing from the cities, BBC reported.

Nearly 60 Arab League monitors went to Syria last week to end crackdown of anti-government protesters .
Meanwhile, some Arab countries and activists inside Syria have said that the monitors should leave Syria because they are not doing too much.

Despite, the presence of the monitors, snipers are present around the cities to target the protesters.

This comes as activist groups claim that at least 20 people were killed on Monday in the city of Homs.

Since the arrival of the monitors, nearly 390 people have been killed.

The UN says that more than 5,000 people have been killed since the start of the riots in March.

Read more: http://tolonews.com/en/world/4880

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Afghan Taliban confirm ‘initial’ agreement of opening office in Qatar

KABUL: The Afghan Taliban said on Tuesday that they have reached a preliminary agreement to set up a political office in the Gulf nation of Qatar, and asked for the release of prisoners held at the Guantanamo Bay military prison by the US.  

“We are right now ready…to have a political office overseas, in order to have an understanding with the international (community), and in this regard we have reached an initial understanding with Qatar and relevant sites,” spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in an emailed statement.

The Taliban office is seen by Western and Afghan officials as key to moving forward with secretive attempts to reach a negotiated end to a decade of war in Afghanistan.

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Suicide bomber kills 4 children, 1 police in Kandahar

A suicide bomber detonated his explosives near an Afghan police checkpoint in Kandahar province on Tuesday afternoon, official said.

Four children were killed and 16 others were wounded in Kandahar suicide attack, Rahmatullah Atrafi, a police official said.


 Kandahar suicide bombing official casualty toll: 5 dead (1 police, 4 kids) - 17 wounded (7 elder civvies, 6 kids, 4 police)

from TOLONEWS:

A suicide bomber detonated his explosives near an Afghan police checkpoint in southern Kandahar province on Tuesday afternoon, local official said.

The incident took place in first district of Kandahar city when a motorbike suicide bomber detonated his explosives near a police checkpoint, killing four children and wounding 16 others, Rahmatullah Atrafi, Provincial police department security chief said.
The victims were taken to a nearby hospital in the city, he added.
No group including the Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.

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Afghan Special Forces not ready for night raids: Officials

Officials in the Ministry of Defense of Afghanistan on Monday said, Afghan Special Forces are not capable of receiving responsibilities for the night time military operations.

The officials further added, Afghan Special Forces are still facing of lack of capability in respect intelligence and night time air operation.

This comes as the night time military operations by NATO troops have been the main issue between the Afghan government and NATO officials in Afghanistan.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai recently emphasized that a long term strategic cooperation agreement with the United States of America will be signed subject to an immediate halt to night time raids by NATO troops.

In the meantime Afghan and NATO officials are struggling to hand over the responsibilities of night time military operations to Afghan special forces, which seems to be more time consuming since the Afghan special forces are not fully capable to independently conduct the operations.

Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Gen. Zahir Azimi also said, Afghan Special Forces are not currently capable to hand over the night military operations.

Gen. Azimi said, night time military operations are currently being conducted jointly by Afghan and NATO troops. Afghan Special Forces require more time to be fully prepared for handing over the night raids responsibilities from the foreign troops.

He said, Afghan Special Forces lacks the capability of conducting night time air raids and are still having difficulties to pinpoint the exact targets of the militants by using intelligence tactics.

Gen. Azimi also said militant suspects houses are inspected by Afghan troops during the night military operations.

This comes as the issue of house inspection by foreign troops has been one most sensitive issue in conducting night time military operations. NATO troops have been criticized for the violation of Afghan culture during the house inspections.

NATO officials in the meantime emphasize for the effectiveness of the night time raids to tackle militants but growing objections by Afghans in southern and eastern regions have urged the Afghan government to oppose night time raids by foreign troops.

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ISAF detain Taliban commander in Baghlan province

International Security Assistance Force officials following a press release on Tuesday announced to seize drugs and detain Taliban leader in various operations across the country.

ISAF officials following a press release on Tuesday said, combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered two drug caches while conducting a routine patrol in Panjwa ‘i district, Kandahar province, yesterday.

The first cache consisted of approximately 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms) of marijuana. The second cache consisted of approximately 330 pounds (150 kilograms) of marijuana and approximately 110 pounds (50 kilograms) marijuana seeds.

Security forces destroyed all drugs and seeds on site without incident.

In the meantime, Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader during an operation in Baghlan-e Jadid district, Baghlan province in a separate operation in southern Afghanistan. The leader operated a roadside bomb making cell in Baghlan-e Jadid and directed attacks against Afghan forces.

ISAF officials also said, Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation in search of a Taliban leader in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province. The leader distributes explosives and plans roadside bomb attacks in Nahr-e Saraj district. One suspected insurgent was detained during the operation.

Meanwhile, Afghan and coalition security force captured a Haqqani facilitator during an operation in Nadir Shah Kot district, Khost province. The facilitator coordinated direct fire and roadside bomb attacks against coalition forces.

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Explosion injures 2 Afghan police in Uruzgan

According to local authorities in southern Afghanistan, at least 2 Afghan National Police service members were injured following a roadside bomb explosion in southern Uruzgan province.

The officials further added, the incident took place around 4:00 pm local time at Herawood district of southern Uruzgan province after an Afghan National Police vehicle struck with a roadside bomb.

 Uruzgan provincial governor media office following a statement said, the two injured police members were taken to the hospital for the treatment.

No group including the Taliban militants have so far claimed responsibility behind the incident.

Taliban group frequently use Improvised Explosive Device and roadside bombs as the weapon of their choice to target Afghan and NATO troops.

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Jan. 03., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 3) — A combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered two drug caches while conducting a routine patrol in Panjwa ‘i district, Kandahar province, yesterday.
The first cache consisted of approximately 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms) of marijuana. The second cache consisted of approximately 330 pounds (150 kilograms) of marijuana and approximately 110 pounds (50 kilograms) marijuana seeds.
Security forces destroyed all drugs and seeds on site without incident.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North
An Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader during an operation in Baghlan-e Jadid district, Baghlan province, today. The leader operated a roadside bomb making cell in Baghlan-e Jadid and directed attacks against Afghan forces.

South
An Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader during an operation in the Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, today. The leader coordinated direct fire attacks in the upper Gereshk Valley and placed roadside bombs along various routes in the area. One additional suspected insurgent was detained during the operation.
An Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation in search of a Taliban leader in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, today. The leader distributes explosives and plans roadside bomb attacks in Nahr-e Saraj district. One suspected insurgent was detained during the operation.

East
An Afghan and coalition security force captured a Haqqani facilitator during an operation in Nadir Shah Kot district, Khost province, today. The facilitator coordinated direct fire and roadside bomb attacks against coalition forces.

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Pakistani troops kill dangerous Taliban commander

The Pakistani military killed a dangerous Taliban commander who was responsible for the murders of scores of Pakistani soldiers, policemen, and civilians.
Qari Kamran, a senior Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan commander in the northwestern district of Nowshera, was killed along with 11 fighters yesterday during a military operation in the tribal agency of Khyber. The Taliban have been fighting the Pakistani military as well as the rival Islamist terror group Lashkar-e-Islam in Khyber.

By Bill Roggio, January 2, 2012, LWJ

The Pakistani military killed a dangerous Taliban commander who was responsible for the murders of scores of Pakistani soldiers, policemen, and civilians.

Qari Kamran, a senior Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan commander in the northwestern district of Nowshera, was killed along with 11 fighters yesterday during a military operation in the tribal agency of Khyber. The Taliban have been fighting the Pakistani military as well as the rival Islamist terror group Lashkar-e-Islam in Khyber.

Image via Wikipedia

Map showing the location of Nowshera District (highlighted in yellow) within the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province

Kamran was involved in some of the most deadly suicide attacks and ambushes in northwestern Pakistan over the past several years. The most devastating attack took place on May 13, 2011, when a suicide bomber detonated among a crowd of newly trained troops of Pakistan's paramilitary Frontier
Corps at a training center in Shabqadar in the neighboring district of Charsadda. The suicide attack was followed by a car bomb. More than 80 Pakistani troops and civilians were killed in the twin blasts.

The Taliban claimed credit for the horrific attack and said it was carried out to avenge the death of al Qaeda emir Osama bin Laden, who was killed by US special operations forces in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on May 2, 2011.

The Shabqadar attack was followed by the June 5, 2011 suicide attack at the Nowshera Cantonment that killed 18 Pakistani soldiers.

In addition to attacking Pakistani security forces, Kamran was also involved in targeting anti-Taliban militias in Nowshera. Three such attacks in the past year have taken place in mosques. In the last attack, on Nov. 19, Kamran's fighters gunned down an outspoken mosque imam who was vocal in opposition to the Taliban. Another attack, on June 12, killed six people and leveled the mosque.

Sources: Allvoices, Pakistan Today

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/01/pakistani_troops_kil.php

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