IED blast leaves 5 civilians killed and 2 others wounded

Sar-e Pol Province. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Roadside mine blast leaves five civilians killed and two others wounded

 

Publish Date: Jun 11, 2012
Roadside mine blast leaves five civilians killed and two others wounded

A roadside mine which was placed by enemies of peace and stability hit an ambulance in the Qosh Tipa region, 2nd District of Sar-e-Pul City, capital of Sar-e-Pul province, today.

As a result, five members of a family were killed including two women, two children and two others were wounded.

The ambulance carried a pregnant woman to the hospital.

Targeting civilians is a clear sign of the weakness of insurgents and such attacks can never weaken the spirit of cooperation between our people and security forces.

In the meantime, two mine planters were killed, one wounded and two others were arrested by Afghan National Police while they were planting a roadside mine in the Dilshad region, Imam Sahib District of Kunduz province.

Afghan National Police are working diligently with local leaders and the public to prevent these types of acts that harms our innocent civilians and security forces.
 

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7 armed insurgents killed, 1 wounded and 5 others arrested by ANP

Publish Date: Jun 11, 2012

Seven armed insurgents killed, one wounded and five others arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:

During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched seven joint clearance operations in Nangarhar, Laghman, Jowzjan, Helmand, Logar, Ghazni and Paktiya provinces.

As a result of these operations, seven armed insurgents were killed, one wounded and five others were arrested by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated three AK-47 assault rifles with four magazines, seven different types of mines and three hand grenades.

During the same 24 hour period, Afghan National Police arrested two mine planters in Bamyan province, and discovered eight different types of mines as a result of security operations in Kabul, Kandahar, and Khost provinces.

Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained two individuals accused of theft and using fake documents in the Mir Bacha Kot and 3rd Districts of Kabul-City.

In the meantime, Afghan National Police arrested three smugglers with 26 kilograms of hashish in the 5th District of Kabul-City.

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9 al-Qaida militants killed in southern Yemen

ADEN, Yemen, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The Yemeni army clashed with fighters of the al-Qaida terrorist group on Sunday in the southern province of Abyan, leaving at least nine militants killed, an military official said.

The armed clashes took place between the army troops and al- Qaida militants across the neighborhoods of Zinjibar, the provincial capital of Abyan, killing at least six militants, the local military official said on condition of anonymity.

On the same day, fighting broke out around the al-Qaida-held town of Jaar in Abyan, three militants were killed, the military official said.

Meanwhile, a government official told Xinhua anonymously that troops of Yemen's elite Republican Guard force regained control over two strategic sites that overlook the al-Qaida-controlled town of Shakara in Abyan.

A local resident said that "dozens of families have fled their homes on Sunday as the government troops outflanked the coastal town of Shakra."

The country's defense ministry praised the "significant victories made by pro-government militiamen who fight alongside the army troops against the al-Qaida terrorist group in Abyan."

The Yemeni government troops have stepped up military operations in Abyan in order to oust al-Qaida militants who have seized control of large swaths in the restive south during last year.

Government troops and reinforcements of counter-terrorism units assembled by the Yemeni military began last month offensives on al- Qaida bastions in Abyan, which made living conditions of thousands of displaced residents worsened.

Senior leaders of the Yemeni military, with support of U.S. counter-terrorism experts, have vowed to uproot the al-Qaida's regional bases from Yemen.

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Mortar attack kills 7 in Baghdad Shiite district

BAGHDAD, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Two mortar shells hit a Shiite neighbourhood in Iraq's capital Baghdad on Sunday evening and killed seven people, a police source said.

The attack came after supper in Baghdad's northern district of Kadhimiya, with another 20 people wounded in the incident, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to release information to the media. The mortar shells landed near a market and caused damages to several shops and nearby buildings, the source added.

Police have cordoned off the area and victims were rushed to hospitals. Police launched an investigation to track down the assailants, the source said. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

Iraq has seen relatively less violence in recent months. However, chronic shootings and bombings still occur almost on daily basis. Sunni insurgents like Al-Qaida continue to target security forces and Shiite neighbourhoods in a bid to reignite sectarian tension.

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Nigeria: Gunmen and suicide bomber attack churches on Sunday

Gunmen in Nigeria have attacked two churches during Sunday services, killing and wounding a number of worshippers.

Five gunmen opened fire in Biu in Borno state, killing one woman and injuring three other people.

In the central city of Jos, a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a church, causing a number of casualties.

No-one has admitted the latest attacks, but radical Islamic sect Boko Haram has targeted churches before.

One witness at the church in Biu said that "gunmen came to the premises of the church and started firing at people outside the church before going into the main building to carry on their killings", Reuters news agency reported.

"Many people have been killed and wounded," witness Hamidu Wakawa was quoted as saying.

Moments after the suicide bombing in Jos, Christian youths set up roadblocks and had to be dispersed by police, according to one witness.

"Angry youths have gone wild, even attempting to prevent the security personnel from getting to the scene of the incident. They had to force their way out by shooting in the air to disperse them," Emmanuel Davou was quotyed by Reuters as saying.

The explosion killed two worshippers and the suicide bomber, while wounding more than 40 others, a police officer was quoted by the Associated Press as saying.

Boko Haram has carried out numerous attacks in northern Nigeria, killing hundreds of people since 2009.

The group - whose name means "No to Western education" - wants to impose Sharia law across Nigeria.

It has targeted churches, schools, police stations, and other government buildings.

The group has said it was behind the suicide bombing of a church last weekend which left at least 12 people dead in Bauchi City.

from BBC
10 June 2012 Last updated at 13:15 GMT 
---

on CNN: 5 killed in Nigerian church blast

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4 Taliban killed by their own IED in Paktika province

Districts of Paktika Province (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Four Taliban terrorists killed in Paktika province

 

Publish Date: Jun 10, 2012

Four mine planters were killed by their own explosives while they attempted to plant an anti-vehicle mine in the main road of Babo Khil village, Jani Khil District of Paktika province, last night.

The mine planters’ bodies were lying at the scene.

Mines and Improvised Explosive Devices planted by insurgents are the number one killer of innocent civilians in Afghanistan.

Armed insurgents continue to completely disregard innocent civilian lives with their indiscriminate tactics.

from:

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Somalia: Pirates Release Ship After Ransom Payment

MOGADISHU, Somalia Jun 7 2012 (Garowe Online) - A Greek owned vessel that was captured by pirates was released after the pirates reportedly took a ransom, Radio Garowe reports.


The MT Liquid Velvet was captured by Somali pirates last October as it traveled to India. The 22 member crew - 21 of whom are Filipino and 1 Greek - was released unharmed and are now heading to Oman.


Reportedly the pirates demanded 8 million dollars for the 17 year old Japanese built tanker. After prolonged negotiations sources say that the pirates settled for much less than there initial demand.


There were reports earlier this year that the vessel was used as mother-ship for pirate operations.

According to sources the vessel was being held in the Harardheere area and was moved along the coast periodically.


Some media outlets are reporting that the owners paid an 4 million dollar ransom for the vessel but those reports are unconfirmed as of yet.


Ships captured by pirates have declined in the year 2012 after the increased presence of international naval ships patrolling Somali waters.

from Garowe Online

8 Jun 8, 2012 - 12:02:35 PM

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45 militants killed in Afghanistan within 24 hours

KABUL: At least 45 Taliban militants have been killed in operations carried out by Afghan and NATO-led troops, the interior ministry said on Sunday.

The forces launched 10 "clean-up" operations in Kabul, Laghman, Parwan, Helmand, Uruzgan and Farah provinces, in which, 33 militants were killed, Xinhua reported citing a ministry statement.

Six militants were injured and nine were captured during the raids. The statement, however, did not say if there were any casualties among the security forces.

Eight Taliban militants were killed in a special force operation in Bati Kot district of eastern Nangarhar province Saturday night, said Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, a spokesman for the provincial government.

Four militants were killed when an anti-tank mine blew up prematurely in Jani Khil district of Pakitka province, the ministry said.

According to figures released by the interior ministry, around 430 militants have been killed, 130 wounded and over 450 others detained since May 1.

from GEO.TV

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France to being troops pull out from Afghanistan in July

France will begin to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan in July, French President Francois Hollande said Saturday afternoon. The pullout will be completed by the end of this year, Hollande said after four French soldiers were killed Saturday morning during an operation in eastern Afghanistan.

“This operation will begin in July, it will be put into place and completed by the end of 2012. Until then, everything should be done to make sure that our troops fulfil their obligations, but with the highest level of security and the utmost vigilance for the lives of our soldiers,” he said.

Hollande said France would pay a “national homage” to the men killed in a suicide bombing and that five wounded soldiers would be repatriated rapidly. Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will head to Afghanistan Sunday.

The president promised to get those wounded repatriated quickly, saying that “a plane has already left and will ensure them back as soon as possible.” “I asked Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, accompanied by Chief of Staff of the Army, to go to Afghanistan tomorrow to show the nation’s support to our forces,” Hollande said.

Some 3,500 French soldiers are deployed in Afghanistan, mainly in Kabul and in Kapisa, the fifth largest contingent in NATO’s 130,000-strong US-led force.

Since January’s attack, France has begun accelerating the withdrawal of its troops, and French soldiers have been given instructions to minimise their exposure.

The four killed on Saturday were the first French soldiers to be lost in Afghanistan since January 20, when an Afghan soldier shot dead four unarmed soldiers and wounded 15 others.

from KHAAMA
By Khushnood Nabizada - Sun Jun 10, 12:05 pm

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R.I.P. - Master Chief Petty Officer Richard J. Kessler Jr.

DOD Identifies Navy Casualty

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

            Master Chief Petty Officer Richard J. Kessler Jr., 47, of Gulfport, Fla., was found deceased in his berthing compartment June 8 on board USS Enterprise (CVN 65).  He was assigned to Enterprise as a logistics specialist.  Enterprise is currently deployed to the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility conducting operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

            For further information related to this release, contact Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet Public Affairs at 011-973-1785-4027.

---

from TBO:
By HOWARD ALTMAN | The Tampa Tribune
Published: June 09, 2012
Updated: June 09, 2012 - 8:58 PM 

A sailor from Gulfport was found dead in his berthing compartment aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise in the Middle East on Friday morning, according to a ship spokeswoman.

Master Chief Petty Officer Richard J. Kessler, 47, was found dead in his compartment at 7 a.m. local time, according to Lt. Com. Sarah Self-Kyler.

The cause of death is under investigation, said Navy Lt. Greg Raelson.

"The Navy is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our shipmates," Raelson said. "Our deepest thoughts and condolences go out to his family during this difficult time."

Kessler was the leading chief petty officer for the supply department and oversaw about 500 sailors, according to Self-Kyler.

He was in charge of making sure the Enterprise was fully stocked with food and supplies, said Self-Kyler.

"He was well known on the ship and very well liked by the sailors who reported to him and everyone else," she said.

Despite the death, morale on the ship is strong, said Self-Kyler.

"We are carrying on the way he would have wanted us to," she said.

Kessler joined the Navy in 1984 and has been on the Enterprise since April 2011.

The Enterprise is supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. About 4,800 sailors and Marines are aboard the Enterprise. 

Kessler received several awards during his time in the service:

Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (2), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achieve Medal (4), Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy "E" Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal w/Bronze Star, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, NATO Medal, Rifle Marksmanship, Pistol Marksmanship

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