NATO airstrike kills child, 9 Taliban fighters

GHAZNI, Afghanistan —A NATO helicopter killed at least one child and nine suspected Taliban fighters in Afghanistan's east on Saturday, officials and local residents said.

Last month, Afghan President Hamid Karzai forbade Afghan forces from calling for NATO air support and forbade international forces from using airstrikes “in Afghan homes or villages.”

NATO initially said that the strike was in support of Afghan troops, which would be in contravention of the president's orders, but later said new information showed the helicopter had struck the insurgents separately.

“This was an independently acquired and engaged target,” said ISAF spokesman Adam Wojack.

There were conflicting reports on the death toll from the airstrike. A Reuters reporter saw the bodies of two children. One was in a school uniform. Local elder Jan Mohammad and other residents said he was killed in the airstrike.

The reporter also saw the hand and foot of a toddler at the site of the airstrike, but the circumstances of the death were not immediately clear.

Senior police detective Mohammad Hussain said nine Taliban and one school-age child were killed in the airstrike. He also said a woman was killed and eight civilians were wounded in a firefight between Afghan security forces and insurgents.

from triblive
Published: Saturday, March 30, 2013, 5:30 p.m.

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In Several Joint Clearance Operations, 14 Armed Taliban Killed (Mar.30.2013.)

Publish Date: Mar 30, 2013

In Several Joint Clearance Operations, 14 Armed Taliban Killed

Counterterrorism:

In past 24 hours, Afghan National Police conducted several joint clearance operations with the cooperation of Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces to clean some of the areas from terrorists and enemies of peace and stability of Afghanistan.


The operations were conducted in Nangarhar, Laghman, Badakhshan, Kandahar and Helmand provinces, as a result 14 armed Taliban were killed, four wounded and four other armed Taliban were arrested by Afghan National Security Forces.                                                                                  

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated some amount of light and heavy round ammunitions and IEDs.

During the same 24 hour period, Afghan National Police discovered and defused three different types of mines placed by enemies of Afghanistan for destructive activities in Zabul and Daikundi provinces.

Counter Crimes:

The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained two suspects accused of theft in the 5th and 11th Districts of Kabul-City.

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Mar. 30., 2013. - ISAF Joint Command Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani leader during an operation in Sabari district, Khost province, March 30.

The leader is accused of obtaining improvised explosive devices and various other weapons and distributing them to multiple insurgent commanders. He has also allegedly led a number of fighters in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout
Afghanistan:

South

During an operation in Shah Wali Kot district, Kandahar province March 30, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader with significant experience constructing IEDs, and detained one other insurgent. The leader is believed to be responsible for multiple insurgent operations, including IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout northern Kandahar.

An Afghan and coalition security force detained several insurgents during an operation in search of a senior Taliban leader in Nad 'Ali district, Helmand province, March 30. The leader was allegedly plotting a campaign of sustained military attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Helmand province. He and his subordinates are believed to have participated in a number of recent attacks utilizing IEDs and small arms fire against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also seized a pistol, bomb-making materials and narcotics as a result of the operation.

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Mar. 30., 2013. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and Coalition Forces found and safely cleared nine improvised explosive devices and detained two suspected insurgents during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, March 29.

Ghanzi province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared two IEDs during operations in the Gelan district.

Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Qarah Bagh district.

Afghan National Security Forces detained one suspected insurgent during operations in the Qarah Bagh district. The suspected insurgent was transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared two IEDs during operations in the Waghaz district.

Kapisa province
Afghan and Coalition Forces detained one suspected insurgent during operations in the Tagab distirct. The suspected insurgent was transferred to a base for questioning.

Khowst Province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Sabari district.

Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Terezayi district.

Lagham province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared two IEDs during operations in the Mehtar Lam district.

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6 wounded in Nangarhar explosion

JALALABAD (PAN): Six people were wounded in a bomb blast in the Khogyani district of eastern Nangarhar province on Friday, an official said. 
The bomb exploded in the Ahangarano Street of Kaga Bazaar in the district centre, police spokesman, Hazrat Hussain Mashriqiwal, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

A number of shops were damaged in the explosions. Three of the injured were in critical condition, said the district hospital head, Dr. Noor Agha.

The explosives had been placed in a bag, according to a shopkeeper, Salahuddin. No one has so far claimed responsibility for the explosion.

from Pajhwok
By Mahbob Shah Mahbob Mar 29, 2013 - 17:32

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Iraq Bombings Kill At Least 18

Civilians and security forces gather at the scene of a car bomb attack in Baghdad, Iraq, March 29, 2013.

Several car bombs exploded near Shi'ite mosques across Iraq Friday, killing at least 18 people and wounding more than 100 in the latest spate of sectarian violence ahead of Iraq's regional elections scheduled for next month.

The blasts, within an hour of each other, hit several Baghdad neighborhoods and in the northern city of Kirkuk. The four car bombs across Baghdad killed at least 14 and wounded several dozen.

No group claimed responsibility.

The Iraqi government is postponing local elections scheduled for next month in the provinces of Anbar and Ninevah by up to six months, because of security threats to electoral workers and candidates.

Voting in Iraq's other provinces is due to go ahead as planned on April 20.

from VOA News
March 29, 2013

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Suicide attack near US Consulate kills 10 Peshawar city

According to Pakistani security officials, at least ten people were killed in Pakistan on Friday when a suicide bomber attacked a paramilitary police convoy.
The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for a blast which also injured at least 31 others.

suicide bomber rode a motorbike up to a security checkpoint a third of a mile from the consulate and detonated 22 pounds of explosives attached to his body, police spokesman Mohammad Faisal said.

The main target of the suicide bomber was Abdul Majeed Marwat, a commander for the Frontier Constabulary. Two members of the force and eight civilians were killed and 15 people were wounded, said the security officials.

This comes as at least 12 people were killed and around 32 others were injured following a car bomb explosion near a camp for internally displaced people in Peshwar.

Peshawar is the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which is rife with Islamic extremists, including the Pakistani Taliban. The city which is gateway to the Khyber Pass and Afghanistan, has been a focus of militant violence.

from KHAAMA
By Mirwais Adeel - 29 Mar 2013, 6:32 pm

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R.I.P. - Sgt. Michael C. Cable

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

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

            Sgt. Michael C. Cable, 26, of Philpot, Ky., died March 27, from injuries sustained when his unit was attacked by enemy forces in Shinwar District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan.

            He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.

            For more information, media may contact the Fort Campbell public affairs office at 931-220-7993.

---

from The Leaf Chronicle:

A 101st Airborne Division soldier was killed in combat this week in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Michael C. Cable, 26, of Philpot, Ky., died March 27 from injuries sustained when his unit was attacked by enemy forces in Shinwar District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, according to a news release from the Department of Defense.

This is the first combat death of the 101st Airborne’s current deployment to Afghanistan.

Cable was a fire support specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell.

He joined the Army in August 2007 and arrived at Fort Campbell in December 2010.

His awards include one Bronze Star Medal (posthumous), one Purple Heart (posthumous), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/Bronze Service Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge and the Air Assault Badge.

Cable is survived by his parents, Raymond L. Johnston Sr., and Vickie M. Johnston, both of Philpot, Ky., and his brother, Raymond L. Johnston Jr.

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Mar. 29., 2013. - ISAF Joint Command Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – During an operation in Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand province, today, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested a senior Taliban leader and detained one other insurgent.

The leader is believed to exercise operational control over multiple insurgent cells throughout Helmand province, committing multiple attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He is also believed to be heavily involved in the acquisition and distribution of weapons to insurgent forces, and reportedly owns multiple poppy farms used in the production of illegal narcotics.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

Afghan and coalition security forces killed numerous insurgents during an operation in search of a Taliban leader in Chimtal district, Balkh province, Thursday. The leader is allegedly the second highest Taliban official in Chimtal district, responsible for directing multiple attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He is also believed to be the district's chief financier for the insurgency, funneling money to fighters for use in illegal arms purchases. The security force also seized six motorcycles, two rocket-propelled grenade launchers with 12 rounds, multiple light machine guns and four drums of ammunition.

South

During an operation in search of a Taliban leader in Dand district, Kandahar province today, an Afghan and coalition security force detained two insurgents. The leader has command and control responsibilities over a number of fighters dedicated to attacking Afghan and coalition forces. He also has extensive experience with improvised explosive device operations, and plays a role in weapon transportation and distribution throughout Kandahar province.

East

An Afghan and coalition security force killed an insurgent during an operation in search of a Haqqani leader in Sabari district, Khost province, Thursday. The Haqqani leader is responsible for acquiring and distributing weapons to his fellow insurgents and has personally led his subordinates in multiple rocket-propelled grenade attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

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Mar. 29., 2013. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared seven improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, March 28.

Logar province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Muhammad Aghah district.

Paktika province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared six IEDs during operations in the Khoshamond district as part of Operation Azadi.

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