Al-Qaida gunmen assassinate military intelligence official in Yemen

ADEN, Yemen, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Masked gunmen of the Yemen- based al-Qaida offshoot shot dead a high-ranking military intelligence official in the southeastern province of Hadramout on Saturday, a government official told Xinhua.
About two masked gunmen riding a motorbike fired at Colonel Ahmed Abdul-Razzak, director of the military intelligence department in Hadramout province, the local government official said on condition of anonymity.

"Criminals of the al-Qaida terrorist group committed a criminal act and assassinated Col. Abdul-Razzak on a main road near his home in the coastal town of Mukalla," the government source said.

Yemeni security services have repeatedly blamed militants of the Yemen-based al-Qaida offshoot for a series of assassination attacks, mostly in the country's southern regions.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which emerged in January 2009, is considered the most strategic threat to the Yemeni government and its neighboring oil-rich Saudi Arabia.

The AQAP underscores the challenges faced by Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who came to power after winning support from major Yemeni political forces in February 2012.

Hadi is tasked with restoring security and stability to Yemen and putting an end to the growing influence of al-Qaida that also threatens daily oil shipping routes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

from XINHUA
Editor: Mu Xuequan
2013-04-28 00:41:20

Read More

Senior police officer killed in Taliban assault

GHAZNI CITY (PAN): The deputy police chief of southern Ghazni province, Mohammad Hussain, was killed on Sunday in a bomb attack claimed by Taliban insurgents.

Two guards of the senior police officer were also killed and as many wounded in the roadside bombing that took place at 8am, the governor’s spokesman said.

Nabi Jan told Pajhwok Afghan News Hussain was on his way to Zankhan district, which came under rebel attack earlier in the morning. Security personnel have been sent to the scene.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, claimed Hussain was killed along with four senior government officials. The bomb attack marked the Taliban’s spring offensive codenamed “Khalid bin Waleed”, he said.

At least 11 policemen were killed as the militants stormed the Zankhan district headquarters, Mujahid said, but local authorities rejected his assertion as baseless.

from Pajhwok
By Saifullah Maftoon Apr 28, 2013 - 10:58

Read More

Apr. 28., 2013. - ISAF Joint Command Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and a Taliban facilitator during an operation in Kandahar City, Kandahar province, April 28.

The leader is believed to be responsible for coordinating assassinations, sniper ambushes and other attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Kandahar City. He is known to direct the killing of Afghan National Army soldiers, recruits fighters for the insurgency, and uses his residence as a safe house for fighters operating in the region.

The facilitator is alleged to be responsible for housing and directing suicide bombers throughout Kandahar province. He also has a history of acquiring and distributing weapons to insurgent fighters, and planning RPG and small arms attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

During an operation in Burkah district, Baghlan province April 28, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan facilitator. The facilitator is believed to be instrumental in procuring and distributing weapons and military equipment to IMU fighters in northern Afghanistan. He is also involved in assassination operations and attack planning, and has served as a bodyguard for senior IMU leadership.

An Afghan and coalition security force killed one insurgent during an operation in Archi district, Kunduz province, April 27. While conducting a presence patrol in the vicinity of a Afghan Local Police checkpoint that had been recently attacked, the security force was ambushed by a number of insurgents. Following the engagement security forces recovered one RPG launcher and one AK-47 with a mounted 40mm grenade launcher.

South

During an operation in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province April 28, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and two other insurgents. The leader is believed to be in charge of a cell of fighters responsible for planning and executing attacks against government officials in Helmand province. He has also facilitated the production and distribution of home-made explosive material for use in insurgent operations, and possesses experience working with improvised explosive devices. The security force also seized 10 pounds of opium as a result of the operation.

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and one other insurgent during an operation in Nad ‘Ali district, Helmand province, April 27. The leader is believed to have operational control over a cell of fighters responsible for IED and direct fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. At the time of his arrest, he was planning an attack utilizing IEDs. He has also facilitated the acquisition and distribution of weapons and money used to support insurgent operations.

Afghan and coalition security forces confirmed April 28 the arrest of a Taliban leader during an operation in Maiwand district, Kandahar province, April 26. The leader is alleged to have operational control over a group of fighters responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout Kandahar province. He has also served as a tactical advisor to senior Taliban leadership in the area, and coordinated insurgent logistics operations between different cells of fighters.

Read More

Apr. 28., 2013. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security and coalition forces killed five insurgents, detained four suspected insurgents, discovered two weapons caches and found and safely cleared six improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, April 27.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Security Forces discovered one weapons cache and found and safely cleared three IEDs during operations during operations in the Ghazni district. The cache contained 22 small arms rifles.

Afghan National Security and coalition forces discovered one weapons cache, killed one insurgent and recovered IED making materiel, one rifle and one tactical vest during operations in the Qarah Bagh district. The cache contained five pounds of homemade explosive, three rocket-propelled grenades, multiple rounds of large caliber ammunition and one tactical vest.

Khowst province
Afghan National Security and coalition forces detained two suspected insurgents during operations in the Khowst district. The suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

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

Nagarhar province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED and detained two suspected insurgents during operations in the Bati Kot district. The suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan National Security Forces killed two insurgents during operations in the Heserak district.

Paktika province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared one IED during operations in the Sar Rowzah district.

Afghan National Security Forces killed two insurgents during operations in the Sharan District.

Read More

4 ISAF personnel killed in Zabul plane crash

Districts of Zabul. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

QALAT (PAN): Four International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) personnel were killed in a plane crash in southern Afghanistan on Saturday, officials said.

The cause of the crash was under investigation, the NATO-led force said, adding initial reporting indicated there was no enemy activity in the area at the time of the incident.

In line with policy, ISAF neither revealed the victims’ nationalities nor the exact location but Afghan officials said the crash occurred in the Shahjoi district of Zabul province.

The chopper went down in Baghgi area in the afternoon due to some technical fault, the district’s administrative head, Mohammad Siddique, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Brig. Gen. Rogh Lewanay, the provincial police chief, verified the crash. However, he had no information about casualties.

Last week, a fierce hailstorm damaged dozens of US military helicopters in southern Afghanistan. "A storm moved through southern Afghanistan April 23, causing damage to a number of coalition aircraft at Kandahar Airfield,” ISAF said.

The multinational force said: “ISAF had already implemented actions to mitigate the effects of the storm and our forces continue to receive all necessary support."

Although ISAF did not give a specific number, a US news channel reported 50 helicopters had been harmed by the storm. “The damage was severe enough that the helicopters are grounded until they can be repaired,” Fox News said.

from Pajhwok
By Nasim Hotak Apr 27, 2013 - 18:11

---

International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs

KABUL, Afghanistan – Four International Security Assistance Force service members died today as a result of a plane crash in southern Afghanistan.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, however initial reporting indicates there was no enemy activity in the area at the time of the crash.

It is ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities.

Related articles

• Plane crash kills four members of NATO-led security force in Afghanistan (worldnews.nbcnews.com)
• Four die in NATO plane crash in Afghanistan - Reuters (reuters.com)
• Plane crash in Afghanistan kills four Nato security force members (guardian.co.uk)
• Afghan Nato plane crash kills four (bbc.co.uk)
• Plane crash in Afghanistan kills 4 service members, NATO says (foxnews.com)

Read More

R.I.P. - Capt. Aaron R. Blanchard, 1st Lt. Robert J. Hess

DOD Identifies Army Casualties

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            They died April 23, in Pul-E-Alam, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from enemy indirect fire.  The soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Aviation Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

            Killed were:

            Capt. Aaron R. Blanchard, 32, of Selah, Wash., and

            1st Lt. Robert J. Hess, 26, of Fairfax, Va.

            For more information please contact the Fort Drum public affairs office at 315-772-8286 or 315-523-4546.

---

from https://www.facebook.com/FIF.HOH

Capt. Aaron R. Blanchard, 32, of Selah, Wash. died April 23, in Pul-E-Alam, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from enemy indirect fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Aviation Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Blanchard, an Apache pilot, joined the Marine Corps in January 2000, and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from January to September 2003. After separating from the Marine Corps and completing an ROTC program Blanchard was commissioned into the Army in June 2009. He completed pilot training at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and arrived at Fort Drum in September 2011. He deployed with his unit to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in April 2013.

Blanchard's awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the NATO Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Army Aviator Badge, the Navy-Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, four Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and two Rifle Expert Badges.

He also completed Marine Combat Training, Aviation Machinist Mate Courses, the Apache Aviator Qualification Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course and the Aviation Officer Basic Course.

Blanchard is survived by his wife, two children, mother, father and two brothers.

---

1st Lt. Robert J. Hess, 26, of Fairfax, Va. died April 23, in Pul-E-Alam, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from enemy indirect fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Aviation Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Hess, a Blackhawk pilot, was commissioned into the Army in November, 2010. After completing pilot training at Fort Rucker, Alabama, he arrived at Fort Drum in November 2012. He deployed with his unit to Afghanistan in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom in April 2013.

Hess's awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the NATO Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Army Aviator Badge. He completed the Aviation Officer Basic Course, the Blackhawk Aviator Qualification Course, the Blackhawk M-Model Aviator Qualification Course, and the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course.

Hess is survived by his mother, father and brother.

Related articles

• RIP CPT Aaron R Blanchard, 1LT Robert J Hess (waronterrornews.typepad.com)

Read More

5 killed, 61 wounded in bomb attacks in Iraqi capital

BAGHDAD, April 26 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and 61 others injured in four bombing attacks that hit the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Friday, police said.

A bomb exploded at the entrance to the Qubaisi mosque in Shurta area southwest of Baghdad as worshipers were leaving the Friday prayers, killing four of them, a police source told Xinhua.

About 46 worshipers were injured in the blast and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, he added.

A civilian was killed and seven others were wounded when a car bomb exploded Friday evening in Sadr City area in eastern Baghdad, the source said.

Four people were wounded when a roadside bomb exploded in Dora district in southern Baghdad, he said.

Another bomb struck worshipers near Al- Razak mosque in Al Rashidiya area in northern Baghdad, wounding four of them, the source said earlier.

The Iraqi security forces have strengthened security procedures in the vicinity of mosques due to the bombings, he added.

Violence is still common in war-torn Iraq despite the dramatic decrease since its peak in 2006 and 2007 when the country was engulfed in sectarian killings.

from XINHUA
2013-04-27 03:06:03
Editor: Mu Xuequan

Read More

Public uprising against Pakistani and Afghan Taliban in Kunar

Heavy clashes have been reported between local residents and Taliban militants in eastern Kunar province of Afghanistan on Friday.

According to local authorities in eastern Kunar province of Afghanistan, the incident took place in Dangam district after local residents started resisting local and foreign Taliban militants in this district.

Provincail goveror Syed Fazlullah Wahidi confirming the report said efforts have been put in place by local tribal elders to reconcile between the local resident and Taliban militants.

He said, “Local residents started public uprising against the Pakistani Taliban militants and currently local tribal elders have organized a Jirga to end the violence.”

Local elders in Dangam are saying that the clashes between the local resident and Taliban militants took place after Taliban fighters were torturing two residents.

They also said that Taliban militants attacked the local residents while they gathered to discuss with the militants.

According to the local tribal elders, at least two Taliban suicide bombers have been killed and another one has been injured during the clashes, while four local residents have also been injured.

Local elders are also saying that clashes have ended however both local resident and Taliban fighters are prepared for another fight, which may take place any time.

from KHAAMA
By Meena Haseeb - 27 Apr 2013, 9:22 am

Read More

6 people killed after Arab communities clash in northern Mali

BAMAKO, April 26 (Xinhua) -- A confrontation between two Arab communities left six people dead in northern Mali, local sources told Xinhua on Friday.

Each of the rival sides wants to position itself as the main Arab group in Thursday's clash in Anefis, 200 km north of the biggest northern town of Gao.

"This confrontation was due to the events that took place at Ber, where the Arab traders who are organized under the banner of the Arab Movement for Azawad (MAA) pushed out the members of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and injured two of their members.

"The MNLA fighters came to revenge against the peaceful Arab traders in Anefis as they were fleeing to Kidal. The reprisal attacks occurred under the watch of the Serval forces and the International Support Mission for Mali (MISMA)," another source said.

The sources said the MNLA had deployed its fighters in Anefis with about thirty vehicles.

from XINHUA
2013-04-26 19:56:40
Editor: Hou Qiang

Read More

Would-be bomber shot dead in Kandahar

Map of Afghanistan with Kandahar highlighted (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

KANDAHAR CITY (PAN): A would-be suicide bomber was killed after sneaking into the Spin Boldak district of southern Kandahar province from Pakistan on Saturday, an official said.

Border police positively identified the bomber and shot him dead at 12.15pm, the governor’s spokesman Javed Faisal told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Police fired at the militant after he ignored warnings to stop, the official said. As a result of police firing, his suicide vest exploded, killing the suspect and wounding a woman and a girl.

from Pajhwok
By Bashir Ahmad Naadim Apr 27, 2013 - 13:36

Read More