Thursday, January 26, 2012

4 insurgents 2 Afghan police killed in Helmand province

According to local authorities in southern Afghanistan, at least four militants were killed following armed clashes with the Afghan National Police forces in southern Helmand province.

The officials further added, at least two Afghan police service members were also killed during clashes with the armed militants, which lasted more than 8 hours.

District Security Chief for Nad-e-Ali Omer Jan confirming the report said, the clashes started on Wednesday evening.

Mr. Omer Jan further added, at least eight other militants were also injured during the clashes.

He also said, Afghan security forces seized some weapons and ammunitions following the clashes with the militants.

Taliban group, the main militants group fighting the Afghan government and NATO-led coalition forces yet to comment regarding the clashes.


from KHAAMA
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13 people killed in bomb attacks in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- A total of 13 people were killed and eight wounded in separate bomb and gunfire attacks on Thursday in Iraq, the police said.

In northern Iraq, a motorcycle packed with explosives went off near a primary school in al-Tiseen district in central the city of Kirkuk, some 250 km north of the capital Baghdad, killing three people and wounding six others, a local police source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The powerful blast caused severe damages to the school and nearby buildings along with destroying several nearby civilian cars, the source said.

The city is part of disputed areas between the central government in Baghdad and the Kurdish semi-autonomous region in northern Iraq. The area has long been the hotbed of insurgency since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

In Iraq's eastern province of Diyala, gunmen opened fire on the house of a policeman in the town of Khalis near the provincial capital city of Baquba, some 65 km northeast of Baghdad, injuring the policeman and his brother, a provincial polices source anonymously told Xinhua.

Earlier in the day, the police reported another attack on a policeman's house in south of Baghdad when insurgents in the early morning hours blew up bombs in the house of the policeman Ahmed Zuwaiyn in the town of Mussayab, some 60 km south of Baghdad, killing him and nine of his family members, a local police source said.

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BAGHDAD — Insurgents bombed a house belonging to two policemen and their families in central Iraq early on Thursday, killing 10 people inside in the latest brazen attack since the U.S. troop withdrawal, officials said.

The house where the two policemen brothers lived was located in the Hamia area, about 31 miles south of Baghdad, a police officer said. It was leveled when insurgents detonated bombs they had planted around it at 1:00 a.m.

Both policemen, two children under one years of age and four women were among the dead, he added. A doctor at a nearby hospital confirmed the causality figure. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.

Also Thursday, a motorcycle bomb missed a passing police patrol in the northern city of Kirkuk, but killed two civilians and wounded five others, the city's police commander Brig. Gen. Sarhad Qadir said.
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20 militants killed in clashes in NW Pakistan

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ISLAMABAD, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- At least 20 militants were killed and 22 soldiers injured in clashes between militants and security forces in Kurram tribal region of northwest Pakistan on Thursday, local media reported.

The clashes broke out in wee hours when militants attacked security forces in Jogi area of Kurram agency, a militancy-hit tribal area at Pak-Afghan border where Pakistani soldiers are battling Taliban militants, local Urdu TV channel ARY reported.

During the shootout, 20 militants were killed and 37 others sustained injuries. Forces also destroyed two militants' hideouts.

At least 22 soldiers of Pakistan Army were reportedly injured during the clashes.

Both sides used heavy weapons including rockets and mortars in the clashes.

Pakistan army has cleared most of the Taliban militants from the Kurram region. Some of the areas, however, are still under the control of militants from where they carry out attacks on Pakistan army and pro-government tribal people. The forces have been conducting major operation against the militants in Kurram and the nearby Orakzai region over the past few months, they are making progress in areas where militants are still active.

During the last three days, 27 militants and six soldiers were killed while 23 soldiers sustained injuries in clashes between militants and soldiers in Kurram Agency.
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Happy Australia Day! Raise a Glass to the Diggers!


I want to wish all of my Aussie friends a Happy Australia Day!

Australia Day (previously known as Anniversary Day, Foundation Day, and ANA Day) is the official national day of Australia. Celebrated annually on 26 January, the date commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788 and the proclamation at that time of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of New Holland.
Although it was not known as Australia Day until over a century later, records of celebrations on 26 January date back to 1808, with the first official celebration of the formation of New South Wales held in 1818. It is presently an official public holiday in every state and territory of Australia and is marked by the presentation of the Australian of the Year Awards on Australia Day Eve, announcement of the Honours List for the Order of Australia and addresses from the Governor-General and Prime Minister. With community festivals, concerts and citizenship ceremonies the day is celebrated in large and small communities and cities around the nation. Australia Day has become the biggest annual civic event in Australia.
The date is controversial to some Australians, particularly those of Indigenous heritage, leading to the use of alternate names, such as Invasion Day and Survival Day. Proposals have been made to change the date of Australia Day, but these have failed to gain widespread public support.



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3 People Killed, Dozens Wounded in Helmand Suicide Bombing (+video)

At least three people including a child were killed in a suicide car bomb blast in southern Helmand province on Thursday, local officials said.


Thirty two others including a foreign woman were wounded in the blast.
The blast occurred at 10:30 am local time near British PRT, Dawood Ahmadi, a spokesman for provincial governor told TOLOnews reporter.

Afghan security forces have arrived in the area.
The ambulances were also seen in the area carrying the victims.
Eyewitnesses said that several cars have been damaged in the blast.
Clouds of smoke was also seen rising from the site of the incident.

No group including the Taliban has claimed responsibility for the blast.

Violence recently increased in southern Helmand with insurgents carrying out attacks on Afghan police checkpoints using Improvised Explosive Devices.

Afghan security forces have taken over security responsibility of Lashkargh, the capital of Helmand from British troops in the first phase of security transition.

Britain has around 9,500 troops in Afghanistan, most of them based in Helmand.

from TOLONEWS 



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Jan.26., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 26) — An Afghan led and coalition supported security force captured a Taliban leader during an operation in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, today.
The leader coordinated roadside bomb and ambush attacks against Afghan forces along Route 1 in Helmand province.

The security force seized 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms) of opium and detained one additional suspected insurgent during the operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South
A combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered a drug cache during a patrol in Panjwa ‘i district, Kandahar province, today. The cache consisted of approximately 500 pounds (227 kilograms) of marijuana and approximately 45 pounds (20 kilograms) of marijuana seeds. The drugs and seeds were destroyed on site without incident.

In Zharay district, Kandahar province, a combined Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation in search of a Taliban facilitator today. The facilitator plans attacks against coalition forces and moves weapons and ammunition throughout Kandahar province. The security force seized 300 pounds (136 kilograms) of marijuana and detained multiple suspected insurgents during the operation.

East
A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader during an operation in Sayyidabad district, Wardak province, today. The leader planned assassinations and direct-fire attacks against Afghan government officials throughout the province. One additional suspected insurgent was detained during the operation.
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Jan.25., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Evening Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 25) — A combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered a drug and weapons cache during a patrol in Panjwa’i district, Kandahar province, today.

The cache consisted of approximately 550 pounds (250 kilograms) of hashish and multiple 82mm mortar rounds.

The weapons were destroyed on site without incident and drugs were confiscated and will be destroyed at a later date.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South
A combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered a drug cache during a patrol in Zharay district, Kandahar province, today. The cache consisted of approximately 1000 pounds (454 kilograms) of hashish. The drugs were destroyed on site without incident.

A combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered a drug cache during a patrol in Musa Qal’ah district, Helmand province, today. The cache consisted of approximately 660 pounds (300 kilograms) of hashish. The drugs were destroyed on site without incident.
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R.I.P. - Signaller Ian Sartorius-Jones

Signaller Ian Sartorius-Jones dies in Afghanistan

 It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Signaller Ian Sartorius-Jones from 20th Armoured Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron (200) on Tuesday 24th January 2012 at Forward Operating Base Khar Nikah in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province.

Signaller Ian Sartorius-Jones
Signaller Ian Sartorius-Jones
[Picture: via MOD]

Signaller Ian Gerard Sartorius-Jones
Signaller Sartorius-Jones, 21, from Runcorn, Cheshire, enlisted in the Royal Corps of Signals in February 2007. Following his basic training, he attended the Royal School of Signals, Blandford, where he enjoyed a promising start to his career as a Communications Systems Operator.
He joined 20th Armoured Brigade Headquarters & Signal Squadron (200) in May 2008 where this talented and intelligent soldier deployed to Iraq on Operation TELIC 13. While in Iraq he contributed to the provision of communications and the closure of the Combined Operating Base Basra. He showed the raw talent on tour to be plucked from his duties in the Contingency Operating Base to serve with one of the Military Transition Teams providing communications and mentoring to the Iraqi forces. He took part in many exercises including a three month deployment to the British Army Training Unit Suffield in Canada and a string of Mission Specific Training exercises in Germany, Denmark and the UK. His sterling performances during these exercises and genuine aptitude for field soldiering saw him selected to work as a Rear Link Detachment Operator on Operation HERRICK 15.
Initially Detached to C Company, 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Staffords) and latterly D (DELHI) Company, 1st Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’ Own), this outgoing and charismatic Signaller was responsible for the maintenance of vital communications links from a Forward Operating Base in Nahr-e Saraj as well as conducting patrols alongside his Infantry counterparts.
Signaller Sartorius-Jones leaves behind his wife Kellyanne and young son Dylan as well as his parents Robert and Amanda Sartorius-Jones and brother, Alan, 26.
The family of Signaller Ian Sartorius-Jones, said:
“Ian was a lovable character, a devoted father to Dylan, who is 8 months old, husband to Kellyanne, a wonderful son to Robert and Amanda and brother to Alan. He will always be missed and loved by all his family and friends.”

Read more: http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/SignallerIanSartoriusjonesDiesInAfghanistan.htm
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20 armed militants renounce violence in Baghlan province

At least 20 members of the Islamic Movement Party (Hezb-e-Islami) led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar on Wednesday joined peace process following on a number of the other militants who joined peace process in this province.

Provincial Police Chief Gen. Asadullah Shirzad speaking during the reconciliation process of the militants Bai Saqal area in central Baghlan district said, at least 20 armed militants belonging to Hezb-e-Islami who were carrying out insurgency activities against the Afghan government renounced violence and joined peace process after laying down their arms.

Gen. Shirzad further added, at least 40 others insurgents also renounced violence on Tuesday in the same area and joined peace process.

A member of the Afghan High Peace Council in northern Baghlan province Shams-ul-Haq said, the reconciled militants handed over at least 23 weapons to Afghan government after joining peace process during the past 2 days.

from KHAAMA
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