NATO airstrike kills 9 insurgents in Paktiya

BAGRAM (PAN):  Nine insurgents involved in planting an improvised explosive device (IED) were killed by Afghan National Security (ANSF) and NATO forces during an operation in Jaji district in Paktiya province.

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed in a statement that the nine insurgents were killed and their remains handed over to local authorities.

The exact date of the strike was not mentioned.
“The insurgents were armed and were observed by partnered forces
emplanting an improvised explosive device. They engaged NATO forces with direct fire.

“ANSF and NATO Forces responded, killing all observed hostile suspects. No ANSF or ISAF forces were harmed in the operation,” added the statement.
The engagement is part of a larger operation launched by ANSF two days ago to destroy Taliban hideouts in the district.
Azad Khan, Governor of Jaji district, said that the operation would
continue until the area was free from Taliban threats.

from Pajhwok

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Taliban leader arrested in Nad-e-Ali district

According to a statement released by NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban leader during an operation in Nad ‘Ali district, Helmand province.

The leader plans and directs roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces in central Helmand. Earlier this month, the leader was responsible for an attack on an Afghan Army checkpoint in Marjeh that resulted in the deaths of several Afghan Soldiers.

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

The statement further added, Afghan and coalition security force conducted a mission to close suspected narcotics labs in Baghran district, Helmand province, Monday. While executing Afghan search warrants on multiple compounds the force was engaged by multiple insurgents.

At least three insurgents were killed after Afghan and coalition security forces to the fire of the insurgents, ISAF said adding that a subsequent search of the compounds recovered improvised explosive device components, weapons and narcotics production equipment including more than 11,000 pounds (5,000 kilograms) of morphine waste, 880 pounds (400 kilograms) of ammonium chloride, 880 pounds (400 kilograms) of morphine base and 1,057 gallons (4,000 liters) of liquid morphine. All of the materials were destroyed on-site without incident.

Anti-government armed militant groups yet to comment regarding the operations.

from KHAAMA

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• Taliban leader arrested in Nad-e-Ali district (khaama.com)

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Insurgents killed in airstrike while emplanting IED

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security and NATO forces killed several insurgents, after being engaged with small arms fire during an operation in the Jaji district of Paktiya province overnight.

The engagement is part of a larger operation launched by Afghan National Security Forces May 14, 2012 to destroy Taliban hideouts in the district.

Azad Khan, governor of Jaji district, said that the operation will continue until the area has been cleared from the presence of Taliban.

The insurgents were armed and were observed by partnered forces emplanting an improvised explosive device. They engaged NATO forces with direct fire. ANSF and NATO forces responded, killing all observed hostile suspects. No ANSF or ISAF forces were harmed in the operation.

The forces on the ground confirm nine insurgents were killed.

The remains were handed over to local authorities.

ISAF Regional Command East

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May 16., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan (May 16) — An Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban leader during an operation in Nad ‘Ali district, Helmand province, today.
The leader plans and directs roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces in central Helmand. Earlier this month, the leader was responsible for an attack on an Afghan Army checkpoint in Marjeh that resulted in the deaths of several Afghan Soldiers.

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

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

In Khanabad district, Kunduz province, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to detain a senior Taliban leader, today. The leader plans and organizes roadside bombings, suicide attacks and other operations against Afghan and coalition troops throughout the district. He also uses intimidation against civilians who support the government of Afghanistan and recently attempted to halt the construction of a bridge in the district by threatening Afghan workers. Multiple suspected insurgents were detained during the operation.

South

Finally, a combined Afghan and coalition security force conducted a mission to close suspected narcotics labs in Baghran district, Helmand province, Monday. While executing Afghan search warrants on multiple compounds the force was engaged by multiple insurgents. The force returned fire, killing the insurgent attackers. A subsequent search of the compounds recovered improvised explosive device components, weapons and narcotics production equipment including more than 11,000 pounds (5,000 kilograms) of morphine waste, 880 pounds (400 kilograms) of ammonium chloride, 880 pounds (400 kilograms) of morphine base and 1,057 gallons (4,000 liters) of liquid morphine. All of the materials were destroyed on-site without incident.

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R.I.P. - Corporal Brent John McCarthy, Lance Corporal Lee Thomas Davies

Corporal Brent John McCarthy, Royal Air Force, and Lance Corporal Lee Thomas Davies, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards
[Pictures: via MOD]

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Corporal Brent John McCarthy, from the Royal Air Force, and Lance Corporal Lee Thomas Davies, from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, were killed in Afghanistan on Saturday 12 May 2012.

Corporal McCarthy and Lance Corporal Davies were killed by small arms fire while deployed as part of a Police Advisory Team to attend a meeting at the local Afghan Uniform Police headquarters near Patrol Base Attal in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand province.

Their commanding officer was attending the meeting while Corporal McCarthy and Lance Corporal Davies and the remainder of the team were providing security.

The Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond, said:

“I send out my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of Corporal Brent McCarthy and Lance Corporal Lee Davies whose lives were cut tragically short by a cowardly act of aggression.
“Both servicemen were performing an invaluable role, training and mentoring Afghan police, helping to ensure that Afghanistan will never again be a place from which international terrorists can launch attacks on our society. Their sacrifice will not be in vain and we will never forget them.”

Continues at: Corporal Brent John McCarthy and Lance Corporal Lee Thomas Davies killed in Afghanistan

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• Corporal Brent John McCarthy and Lance Corporal Lee Thomas Davies killed in Afghanistan (ukforcesafghanistan.wordpress.com)

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Taliban Leader Planning To Attack Red Cross Center In Afghanistan Arrested

(RTTNews) - An Afghan-coalition security force detained a Taliban leader who was planning an upcoming attack against a Red Cross Center in the eastern Afghan province of Logar.

He was taken into custody during an operation in Pul-e 'Alam district on Tuesday, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Joint Command said in a press release. The Taliban leader directed roadside bombings, suicide attacks and other operations against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the district. He also coordinated for weapons, ammunition, explosives, and suicide-bombers for those attacks, the release said.

Security forces detained two additional insurgents in this operation.

Multiple suspected Taliban insurgents were detained during an operation in Aliabad district of Kunduz province. A Haqqani leader was captured during a joint operation in Sarobi district, Paktika province. He conducted attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Sarobi, Gomal, and Omnah districts. He also provided weapons, ammunition and equipment to the insurgents under his control. Security forces detained two additional insurgents during this operation.

Two Taliban insurgents, who attempted to shoot at the Afghan and coalition troops as they approached a Taliban leader's suspected location in Khugyani district of Nangarhar province, were killed when the forces returned fire. In subsequent search, the forces detained three more insurgents and recovered an AK-47, another rifle, a pistol, ammunition and two hand grenades.

A Taliban leader, who was responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Shinkai district in the southern province of Zabul, died as a motorcycle he was riding crashed while attempting to flee approaching forces on Saturday.

Another militant leader, who was a pillion-rider on the motorcycle, was detained. He was identified as one who attempted to enforce Taliban law on civilians in the area.

The Provincial Response Company, supported by coalition forces, discovered four anti-personnel mines, two rifles, small arms ammunition, one radio, one tactical vest and various improvised explosive device components from the motorcycle.

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Afghan National Police arrested six mine planters in Badghis, Zabul and Kunduz provinces

Publish Date: May 15, 2012

Afghan National Police arrested six mine planters in Badghis, Zabul and Kunduz provinces

Afghan National Police arrested three mine planters while they attempted to plant an anti-vehicle mine in the main road of Boom Dara region, Qadis District of Badghis province, yesterday.

In the meantime, Afghan National Police arrested a mine planter with one radio handset while he attempted to plant an anti-vehicle mine in the main road of Mizan District of Zabul province, yesterday.

Additionally, Afghan National Police arrested two mine planters while they attempted to plant a roadside mine in the Chal Tipa village, Amam Sahib District of Kunduz province, yesterday.

Also, one mine planter was killed by his own explosive while he attempted to plant an anti-vehicle mine in the Gori region, Chahar Sada District of Ghor province, yesterday.

Afghan National Police are working diligently with local leaders and the public to prevent these types of acts from killing and wounding innocent civilians and security forces.

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Kenyan police killed, three others injured as explosion rocks northern region

GARISSA, Kenya, May 15 (Xinhua) -- A Kenyan police officer was killed and three of his colleagues were seriously injured early on Tuesday in an explosion believed to have been planted by suspected militia group Al-Shabaab in northern region.

The deadly explosive in sprawling Dagahley refugee camp, one of the three refugee camps in Dadaab refugee complex pushes the death toll to 15 of Kenya security personnel killed in such explosive by suspected sympathizers of the Somali group since the country neigbouring to Somali sent it's military to the war-torn country to root out the Islamist.

The officers who were from Administration Police wing were returning from patrol in outskirt of the refugee camp, when their police land rover over run an explosive device planted on the road at around midday. Regional police commander, Leo Nyongesa said the four Administration Police officers were returning from their normal morning patrol before the vehicle they were travelling in hit an Improvised Explosive Device which was hidden on the sandy road to their camp.

"One of the officers who was of the rank of a Constable died on the spot of his injuries, while three of his colleagues who were in the same vehicle were seriously injured and they were rushed to Dadaab district hospital for treatment," Nyongesa told Xinhua by telephone.

The deadly explosive which killed the driver of the vehicle come barely three days after police detected similar explosives which was planted on the main roads linking the three refugee camps in Dadaab.

"The officers were just returning from a normal security patrol in the camps to be relieved in the afternoon shift by their colleagues, but unfortunately some few meters from their camp they were caught in the explosion that has also extensively damaged the vehicle," he said.

Kenya authority has been blaming the Somali militants, Al Qaeda- linked group of masterminding series of kidnappings of foreign aid workers in Northern region breeding into its incursion into Somalia last year.

The regional police chief said that there were plans to airlift the seriously injured officers who include a senior sergeant who was heading the patrol to Nairobi force memorial for specialist treatment.

Nyongesa said preliminary investigations by police indicates that there are links between the Tuesday's deadly explosive and a series of IEDs detected by explosives experts on the main roads between the refugee camps last week.

"We suspect that the criminals who had been planting Improvised Explosive Devices that have been discovered by our security personnel before causing any harm to our people and officers are the same people who had planted today's dead device," Nyongesa said.

The East African nation a has also been plagued by a spate of grenade and landmine attacks in its northern region where the insurgents have killed more than 15 police officers and over 30 civilians.

Since the Kenya military incursion into Somalia several attacks believed to have been carried out by Al-Shabaab have occurred in Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa and Dadaab districts of northern Kenya even as the military reports gains against the Islamist group by capturing their military bases and killing scores of them.

Nyongesa said extra security personnel were deployed in Dagahley refugee camp to pursue those behind the planting of the IEDs in the area, who they believed are hiding in the camps.

"We appeal to peace loving Kenyans and refugees hosted in our country to help security agencies in the area by providing crucial information on suspected criminal elements bent on harming others, " he said.

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R.I.P. - Spc. Alex Hernandez III

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

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

            Spc. Alex Hernandez III, 21, of Round Rock, Texas, died May 12, in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

            Hernandez was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii.

            For more information related to this release, media may contact the 25th Infantry Division public affairs office at 011-9379-766-5072.

            CORRECTION:  May 14, 2012 -- The telephone number for the 25th Infantry Division public affairs office has been changed from 808-655-6351 to 011-9379-766-5072.

---
from kxan.com:

According to the the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, Hernandez was found unresponsive in his room, the incident is under investigation.

Hernandez joince the Army in July 2009 and most recently served as a Door Gunner.
Before he came to Hawaii, he was a Test Equipment Operator and attended Basic Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Spc. Hernandez's awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, and an Aviator Badge.

Hernandez is survived by his wife Tyasia Pompy.

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R.I.P. - Sgt. Wade D. Wilson

DOD Identifies Marine Casualty

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

            Sgt. Wade D. Wilson, 22, of Normangee, Texas, died May 11 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

            For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the 1st Marine Division public affairs office at 760-725-8766.

---

from nctimes.com:

A Camp Pendleton sergeant on his second combat deployment in Afghanistan has been killed, the Defense Department said Monday.

The department said Sgt. Wade D. Wilson "died while conducting combat operations in the Helmand province." No further details were provided.

Wilson, 22, was listed as a native of Normangee, Texas, whose family resides in Leona, Texas.
He was killed Friday, the Pentagon said.

Wilson was an anti-tank missileman assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force based at Camp Pendleton.

CBS television affiliate KBTX.com in Bryan-College Station, Texas, quoted his high school football coach, Kyle Hardee, saying he remembers the fallen Marine's toughness and character.

"He was just one of those kids with heart, and he would be willing to do anything to get the job done," Hardee told the station.

A friend, Corey Boudiette, was quoted on the station's website saying he spoke with Wilson last Wednesday.

"He said that it was getting really hot over there and that he had been blown up by three IEDs in a week. But he said, 'It's OK, I'm having fun and I'm with people I care about,'" Boudiette said.

Wilson enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 2007 after graduating from Centerville High School where he played football, ran track and showed livestock at the county fair, according to base officials and an obituary from his hometown.

His decorations include the Purple Heart medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two bronze star devices, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with bronze star device, and the NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan.

Survivors include his parents, his stepfather, three brothers, a sister and three stepsisters.
Wilson's funeral services in Centerville are pending.

About 10,000 locally based Marines and sailors are serving in Afghanistan in this, the 11th year of the war.

They are being led by Camp Pendleton's Maj. Gen. Charles "Mark" Gurganus, who will brief local reporters later this week on his view of the war's progress.

Since the war began ---- after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 ---- 1,971 American troops have died in Afghanistan, including 107 this year.

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