Sunday, February 5, 2012

1 soldier killed, 12 injured in NW Pakistan blast

English: Pakistan Administrative Units - Tier ...
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ISLAMABAD, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- At least one soldier was killed and 12 others were injured in a blast that hit a police vehicle in northwest tribal region of Kurram on Sunday, local media reported.

The incident took place at about 2:00 p.m. (local time) when a vehicle of paramilitary forces was targeted by a road-side bomb in Shaheedan Dand area of lower Kurram area near Pak-Afghan border, local Urdu TV channel Aaj reported.

An army vehicle with more than 15 paramilitary troops on board was attacked by a remote-controlled device during its routine patrolling. Militants then opened fires on the troops, killing one soldier on the spot and injuring 12 others, the report said.

The injured soldiers were sent to the military hospital in Lower Kurram and hospital sources said some of the injured are in critical conditions.

In retaliatory attack, forces killed 10 militants and injured several others.

No group claimed responsibility for the blast so far.

Kurram Agency is the most volatile area at Pak-Afghan border where Pakistan army has been battling Taliban militants since last August.

Security forces said to have cleared some of the areas in lower Kurram agency from insurgents, but Pakistan Taliban spokesperson Ahsan ullah Ahsan told media earlier this week that most of the areas in lower Kurram are still under the control of militants and they would continue attacking security forces in the future.

The clashes between militants and security forces escalated since the beginning of this year. Earlier on Friday, seven soldiers were killed and several others injured in a check-post attack by militants in the same lower Kurram area.

On Tuesday, 10 soldiers were killed and 32 others injured in a check post attack by militants in Kurram Agency.

During operations by security forces over the past five weeks, over 150 militants and 26 soldiers were killed while 67 soldiers injured in clashes with the militants in Kurram agency.

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Nigerian Pipeline Blown Up

Reports from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria say an oil pipeline has been attacked and left ruptured and burning.

The Nigerian militant group that goes by the acronym MEND said it carried out Saturday's attack on the Italian-owned pipeline. In an e-mail message to journalists, it promised more attacks on foreign-owned interests in the country.

The pipeline's owner, Italian firm Eni, has yet to comment on the attack. It occurred in Bayelsa state, home to Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan and where a gubernatorial election is scheduled for next Saturday.

In its e-mail message, MEND labeled the attack “relatively insignificant,” but “a sign of things to come.” It singled out South African businesses for future attacks.
MEND has accused South African President Jacob Zuma of interference in what it called the “legitimate fight for justice in the Niger Delta.” South African businesses, including the MTN telecommunications firm, have operations throughout Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation.

A government amnesty that was introduced in 2009 led thousands of militants in the Niger Delta to surrender their arms and joining training programs. It led to a significant reduction in attacks and allowed for an increase in oil production.

http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2012/02/nigerian-pipeline-blown-up.html
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R.I.P. - Brig. Gen. Terence J. Hildner

DOD Identifies Army Casualty


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

               Brig. Gen. Terence J. Hildner, 49, of Fairfax, Va., died Feb. 3, in Kabul province, Afghanistan. Hildner was assigned to the 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Fort Hood, Texas.

               For more information related to this release, the media may visit www.forthoodpresscenter.com to submit a query or contact the Fort Hood public affairs office at 254-287-9993 or 254-449-4023

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Ft. Lee, Va. (WTVR)- The Department of Defense has confirmed the death of Brig. General Terence J. Hildner, 49, of Fairfax, Va. who died on Friday, February 3 in Kabul province, Afghanistan, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Hildner commanded the 23rd Quartermaster Brigade from July, 2007-July, 2009 at Ft. Lee, training more than 20,000 Quartermaster soldiers annually.
Below is a press release out of Ft. Hood, TX. regarding the death of General Hildner:

Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died of apparent natural causes Feb. 3 in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Brigadier General Terence J. Hildner, 49, listed his home of record as Fairfax, Va. He was born in New Haven, Conn. He took command of 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Aug. 19, 2010.
“We are truly saddened by the loss of Brigadier General Hildner,” Lt. Gen. Don Campbell Jr., III Corps and Fort Hood commanding general, said. “This is a tragic loss for the Army, III Corps and for our Central Texas community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his Family and friends. The command will remain focused on assisting the Family through this difficult time.”
A 1984 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Hildner began his career as an Armor officer with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Bliss, Texas. He was reassigned in 1988 to the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Federal Republic of Germany. He served as the regimental training officer and subsequently commanded a ground cavalry troop. During his company command, Hildner's troop deployed with the regiment as part of the U.S. VII Corps' attack into Kuwait and Iraq during Operation Desert Storm, as well as conducting the last U.S. patrol along the East-West German border before its reunification.
Returning from Germany, the general served in several assignments at Fort Hood to include 2nd Armored Division comptroller and aide-de-camp to the 4th Infantry Division commanding general.
Following his transition to the Quartermaster Corps and attendance at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in 1997, Hildner served in a variety of staff positions to include battalion executive officer of the 296th Forward Support Battalion, Supply and Services chief for I Corps Logistics at Fort Lewis, Wash., and logistician for Joint Task Force 6, a Department of Defense's counterdrug task force.
In 2003, Hildner assumed command of the 13th Corps Support Command's Special Troops Battalion at Fort Hood. During nearly three years in command, the battalion conducted two operational deployments. The first came in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a combat sustainment support battalion, providing general logistical support to units located around Joint Base Balad, as well as the Abu Gharib prison complex. The battalion's second deployment came in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, as Logistical Task Force Lone Star, providing both military and humanitarian support operations.
From July 2007 to July 2009, Hildner commanded the 23rd Quartermaster Brigade at Fort Lee, Va., training more than 20,000 Soldiers annually for deployment in support of contingency operations across the globe.
In 2009, he was the Combined Arms Support Command's director of training and doctrine.
Hildner departed Fort Hood in December for Afghanistan to support the NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan.
“The unfortunate and untimely death of Brigadier General Hildner was a shock to our unit and Families,” Col. Knowles Atchison, 13th ESC rear commander, said. “Both forward deployed elements and we at home station are deeply saddened by this loss. We will all pull together through this difficult period and care for one another.”
Hildner’s awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, U.S. Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, Southwest Asia Medal with 2 bronze stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge and the Parachutist Badge.
Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation.

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Feb.05., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan (Feb. 05) – In Tarin Kot district, Uruzgan province, an Afghan led and coalition supported security force conducted an operation in search of a Taliban commander Thursday.

The commander was suspected of facilitating the movement of improvised explosive device-making materials throughout Uruzgan province and targeting Afghan and coalition security forces.

During the operation, an insurgent displayed hostile intend toward the security force. The security force responded to the immediate threat and engaged, killing the insurgent.

The security force detained several suspected insurgents and seized a quantity of weapons.

All weapons were destroyed on site without incident.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South
An Afghan led and coalition supported security force conducted an operation to secure transport routes and disrupt improvised explosive device attacks in Lashkar district, Helmand province, yesterday. During the operation, the security force seized a large number of IED components and small arms. The IED components and weapons were confiscated and will be destroyed at a later date.

In Karjan district, Uruzgan province, a combined Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation in search of a Taliban leader Friday. During the operation, several insurgents displayed hostile intent toward the security force. The security force responded to the immediate threat and engaged, killing several insurgents. The security force confiscated multiple improvised explosive device components. Several suspected insurgents were detained by Afghan security forces for further questioning. No civilians were harmed during the operation.

East
An Afghan and coalition security force captured a Haqqani Network leader during an operation in Khost district, Khost province today. The leader directed vehicle and suicide bomb attacks and distributed weapons and money to insurgents in Khost city. The security force seized several AK-47 assault rifles, pistols and a grenade. Several suspected insurgents were detained during the operation.
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At least 7 killed in southern Kandahar bomb explosion(+video)

An heavy explosion rocked southern Kandahar province on Sunday.

According to local authorities the incident took place in a car park near police headquarter around 12:00 pm local time, killing at least 7 people including five Afghan police service members.

The officials further added, at least 19 others including 6 Afghan police were injured following the explosion.

In the meantime reports suggest the blast was followed by a series of gun fire which lasted for more than 10 minutes.

Provincial governor spokesman Zalmai Ayubi confirmed the incident but he did not provide further information.

No group including the Taliban militants have so far claimed responsibility behind the incident.
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