R.I.P. - Sergeant-Chief Stéphane Prudhom, Chief Warrant Officer Thierry Serrat, Sergeant Pierre-Olivier Lumineau, Brigadier Yoann Marcillan

Insurgents in Afghanistan killed four French soldiers and wounded another five on Saturday, one of the deadliest attacks on the French contingent in months, as violence escalates across the country.
The raid occurred in mountainous Kapisa province in the east which is mainly patrolled by a French force under NATO command. 

Read more: http://sgt-jim.blogspot.com/2012/06/four-french-soldiers-killed-in-afghan.html

France Ministry of Defense released the four Soldiers name
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French Soldier, Sergeant-Chief Stéphane Prudhom, age 32, died on June 9, 2012, in the Nijrab district of Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained from a suicide bombing.

Stéphane had served France for over 12 years. He enlisted in November of 1999. 

He had previously served in Yugoslavia, Kosovo, Ivory Coast, Afghanistan and Chad. This was his second deployment to Afghanistan. 

Military officials describe him as an excellent leader and a professional. It is also stated that he was well respected by his commanders and his peers. 

His awards and decorations include the Gold Medal of National Defence (staple guns), the Overseas Medal with clasp "Republic of Côte d'Ivoire" and the French Commemorative Medal with clasps "Former Yugoslavia" and "Afghanistan". 

Stéphane is survived by many loving friends and relatives, including his two children. 

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French Soldier, Chief Warrant Officer Thierry Serrat, age 46, died on June 9, 2012, in the Nijrab district of Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained from a suicide bombing.

Thierry had served France for almost 28 years. 

He had previously served in New Caledonia, Ivory Coast, Afghanistan and Lebanon. This was his third deployment to Afghanistan. 

His awards and decorations include the gold medal of National Defence with staples "artillery" and "external assistance missions," the medal overseas staple with "Lebanon" and "Ivory Coast" and commemorative medal with clasp "Afghanistan".  

Military officials describe him as having an unblemished and exemplary military career. He is also described as having a real sense of duty, hard-working, and a man who was highly respected by his commanders and his peers. 

Thierry is survived by many loving friends and relatives, including his two children.

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French Soldier, Sergeant Pierre-Olivier Lumineau, age 27, died on June 9, 2012, in the Nijrab district of Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained from a suicide bombing.

Pierre-Olivier had served France for over two years. He joined the Army in May of 2010. 

This was his first overseas deployment.

Military officials describe him as having great potential, well-disciplined and eager. He is also described as humorous and morale-boosting. 

He was unmarried and had no children.

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French Soldier Brigadier Yoann Marcillan, age 24, died on June 9, 2012, in the Nijrab district of Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained from a suicide bombing.

Yoann had served France for more than 4 years. He joined the Army in October of 2007 - the 40th Regiment (40th AR - Suippes). He had previously served in New Caledonia and Kosovo. 

His awards and decorations include the bronze medal of National Defence (staple guns), the French Commemorative Medal clasp "Former Yugoslavia" and the NATO Medal clasp "Kosovo". 

Military officials describe him as a team player, motivated, quick-witted, enthusiastic and capable.

Yoann was unmarried and had no children.

  

Related articles

• Taliban suicide bomber kills 4 French soldiers (longwarjournal.org)
• Four French soldiers killed in Afghan east on Saturday (sgt-jim.blogspot.com)
• Suicidal Cross-dressing Talib Kills 4 in Kapisa (waronterrornews.typepad.com)
• French soldiers killed by suicide bomber in Afghanistan (guardian.co.uk)
• French soldiers killed, wounded in Afghanistan (mcclatchydc.com)
• Veiled suicide bomber kills four French soldiers in Afghanistan (news.yahoo.com)

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June 11., 2012. - RC-East Operational Update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces detained 12 insurgents during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, June 11.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Police and coalition forces detained 12 insurgents during an engagement in Ghazni district. The detainees were transported to a base for questioning.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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Yemeni troops clash with al-Qaida militants in south, 39 killed

ADEN, Yemen, June 11 (Xinhua) -- A total of 33 al-Qaida militants and six army soldiers were killed during intensive clashes in Yemen's southern province of Abyan early Monday, a government official said.

The Yemeni army troops have managed to regain control over several villages nearby al-Qaida-held town of Jaar after intensive clashes with fighters of the terrorist group, leaving at least 25 militants and six soldiers killed, the local government official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

"The al-Qaida militants failed to confront the army push and ceded their sites in Hassin, Rawa and two other villages on the outskirts of Jaar town," the government official said.

"Army soldiers are now patrolling the villages near Jaar and resized two tanks along with other military vehicles form the al- Qaida," he added.

An army commander said that the Yemeni air forces hit al-Qaida compound in downtown Jaar late on Sunday night, with no immediate reports of casualties.

Pro-government militiamen and troops of the elite Republican Guard force attacked al-Qaida militants on Monday outside the coastal town of Shakra on the Gulf of Aden, which is under al-Qaid 's control, according to tribal sources.

"About eight al-Qaida militants were killed and six troops were wounded in battles along a main road that links Shakra with Wadea town in Abyan," the source said.

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's political turmoil.

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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6 killed, over 40 injured in bus blast in SW Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, June 11 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed and over 40 others got injured when a bomb exploded near a passenger bus in Pakistan's southwest district of Mastung on Monday morning, Urdu TV channel Samaa reported.

The incident happened at about 9:20 a.m. (local time) when a bomb targeted a passenger bus carrying over 50 people at the main highway in Mastung, a district in the country's southwest province of Balochistan.

People gather near a destroyed bus in Pakistan's southwest district of Mastung on June 11, 2012. At least six people were killed and over 40 others got injured when a bomb exploded near a passenger bus in Pakistan's southwest district of Mastung on Monday morning, Urdu TV channel Samaa reported. (Xinhua/Mohammad)

The bus was heading towards Noshki area from the provincial capital of Quetta

Revealing initial investigations to media, Assistant Commissioner of Mastung said that the bus was targeted by a remote- controlled blast and the explosives were fixed on a motor bike, parked near the main road.

The injured have been shifted to district hospital in Mastung. Eyewitnesses said that there are a large number of women and kids among the injured people.

Identities of the targeted people are not known yet.

Police cordoned off the area and investigations have been started.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

Bus attacks often take place in Balochistan. Police says that these attacks are usually the outcome of the sectarian confrontation between Shia and Sunni Muslims.

Related articles

• You: 50 injured in bus blast near Mastung (nation.com.pk)
• At least 50 wounded following blast in Southwest Pakistan (khaama.com)
• Bike bomb kills six in Pakistan (bbc.co.uk)

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At least 3 killed following explosion in Kunduz province

According to local authorities in northern Kunduz province at least 3 people including an Afghan child was killed following an explosion in this province. The incident took place late Monday afternoon in Imam Sahib district.

Imam Sahib district chief Imanuddin Quraishi confirming the report said the incident took place inside a house where suspected militants were busy to manufacture improvised explosive device. .

Mr. Quraishi further added an Afghan kid along with 2 suspected militants were killed following the incident.

He also said Afghan security forces discovered and seized several improvised explosive device following the explosion from the same house.

The house owner was also arrested in connection to the incident and assisting the militant groups.

By Sajad - Mon Jun 11, 9:24 am
from KHAAMA

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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.
 

Related articles

• Roadside blast kill pregnant Afghan woman in Sar-e-Pul (khaama.com)
• Five killed in roadside blast in Afghanistan (dawn.com)
• Afghans: Ambulance hits roadside bomb; 5 dead (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Afghans: Ambulance hits roadside bomb; 5 dead (kansascity.com)
• 5 killed in Afghan roadside bomb blast (panarmenian.net)

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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.

Read More

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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• Six killed in mortar attacks in Baghdad (itv.com)
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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 
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on CNN: 5 killed in Nigerian church blast

Related articles

• Gunmen attack Nigerian churches (bbc.co.uk)

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