Wednesday, June 20, 2012

6 of a family dead in Logar bombing

Districts of Logar. This image does not includ...
Districts of Logar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
PUL-I-ALAM (PAN): Six members of a family were killed and four others wounded during a roadside bombing in central Logar province on Wednesday, officials said.

Four women and two children were killed and four men wounded during the blast in the Sari sang area on the outskirts of Pul-i-Alam, the provincial capital.

Deputy police chief, Col. Rais Khan Sadiq, told Pajhwok Afghan News the nomadic Kochi family suffered the casualties when the tractor-trolley they were travelling in struck the roadside bomb at about 2pm.

The site of the explosion is close to the provincial police headquarters, according to Col. Sadiq, who believed the militants had planted the landmine to target police.

However, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied their involvement in the bombing. He denounced the civilian killings, saying the blast could have been triggered by a war-era bomb.

A doctor at the Logar Civil Hospital, Samiullah, confirmed receiving only four injured men. Two of them are said to be in critical condition and may be referred to a Kabul hospital.

from Pajhwok
by Abdul Maqsud Azizion Jun 20, 2012 - 18:03

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Afghan National Police arrested four suicide bombers before reaching to their targets

English: Coat of Arms for the Afghan National ...
English: Coat of Arms for the Afghan National Police (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Publish Date: Jun 20, 2012
Afghan National Police arrested four suicide bombers before reaching to their targets 
Afghan National Police arrested four suicide bombers while they were travelling to Mazar-e-Sharif City, Capital of Balkh province.

The suicide bombers arrested with three suicide vests in the Shah Mardan region, Andkhoi District of Faryab province.

Ministry of Interior Affairs praises the good work of ANP in ensuring of security to the people of Afghanistan and appreciated people’s cooperation in sharing information with Afghan National Security Forces.



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17 armed insurgents killed, 7 wounded and 36 others arrested by ANP



Publish Date: Jun 20, 2012
17 armed insurgents killed, seven wounded and 36 others arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:
During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched four joint clearance operations in Helmand, Zabul, Ghazni and Khost provinces.

As a result of these operations, 17 armed insurgents were killed, seven and 36 others were arrested by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated 15kg of opium, five AK-47 assault rifles with 12 magazines, nine different types of mines, 725 kilograms of explosive materials, 1400 kilograms of chemical materials, one motorcycle and one vehicle.

In the meantime, Afghan National Police arrested one armed insurgent with one AK-47 assault rifle, one 82mm artillery shell and one vehicle in the Shorabak village, Shindand District of Herat province, yesterday.

During the same 24 hour period, Afghan National Police discovered and defused four anti-vehicle mines as a result of security operations in Parwan and Paktika provinces.
 
Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained eight individuals accused of murder, kidnapping, selling alcoholic beverages and assault in the 2nd, 3rd, 6th and Qarabagh Districts of Kabul-City.
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Nigeria: Damaturu - 40 Killed in JTF, Gunmen Clash

Damaturu — OVER 40 dead bodies of victims of Monday's violence in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, have been deposited at the Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital and there are reports of yet-to-be recovered bodies in many areas of the town where gun battles and explosions were reported.

from DAILYTRUST
Written by Hamza Idris, Maiduguri and Hamisu Kabiru Matazu, Damaturu Wednesday, 20 June 2012 05:04 

A source at the hospital said at about 4.50pm yesterday, about 40 corpses of civilians and uniformed men, mostly with gunshot wounds had been deposited at the morgue.

"We also have many people with critical wounds at the accident and emergency ward. Some are in need of blood which is very scarce," the source said. Another source at the hospital told Daily Trust yesterday evening that the number of casualties was increasing.

Yobe State police commissioner, Mr. Patrick Egbuniwe, also confirmed that three policemen were killed while four others sustained injuries during the confrontation with the gunmen.

The Yobe State government has already imposed a 24-hour curfew to help contain the situation, and reports said by evening yesterday, there was some calm in the city.

"Operatives of the JTF and few other humanitarian agencies are the only people that are evacuating and bringing victims here. The state of emergency is affecting the activities of agencies like NEMA," our hospital source said.

Mukhtar Abubakar, a resident who spoke to Daily Trust on phone said: "This is a depressing and pathetic moment for us. We are all traumatized ...our wives and children are crying and all of us are hopeless. We pray to Almighty Allah to relieve our pains."

"We heard sounds of five more blasts around 12.noon but someone told me that it was the police anti bomb squad that detonated them after finding them in some sensible locations," Abubakar said, adding that he could still see some smoke billowing in some parts of the town.

Witnesses also reported seeing the corpse of a soldier and that of a Mobile Policeman being taken to the hospital yesterday, in addition to three wounded policemen conveyed to the hospital for treatment.

A hospital source said the soldier might have fallen from a speeding patrol vehicle and died as a result of injuries he sustained.

Another soldier who called our correspondent said he was also receiving treatment at the hospital as a result of gunshot wound. "I am not alone in this condition," he said.

Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Yobe State, Colonel Dahiru Abdulsalam could not be reached for comment.

Competent sources who confided in Daily Trust said that a delegation from the Amnesty International had landed at the Maiduguri International Airport yesterday, but it is not yet clear whether they have proceeded to Damaturu or not.

Though there is no official closure of the Nigerian borders, Daily Trust reports that hundreds of businessmen and travellers coming into Nigeria from Chad, Cameroon and Niger had been forced to take alternative routes because of the 24 hours curfew on Damaturu and fears of being trapped in the fighting.

A release signed by the Special Adviser to Governor Ibrahim Gaidam on Information and Press Affairs, Abdullahi Bego, said movement in other parts of the state has also been restricted as an added security measure. "The 10pm to 6am curfew in Potiskum also remains in place," Bego said.

In another statement the governor's spokesman called on the people of Yobe to disregard some 'mischievous text messages' in circulation, saying that Christians have been attacked. He said they were meant to cause disaffection and stir up tension between Christians and Muslims. "The entire content of the text being circulated is false, misleading, mischievous and unfounded," he said.

Many travellers were reported to have gone back to Maiduguri and taken the longer route to other parts of the country via Biu in Borno State and other obscure routes in Gombe State.

"I am going back straight to my village in Cameroun," Modou Babakar, who claimed to be a textile dealer told our reporter at Jimtilo, an entry point to Maiduguri from Damaturu. He claimed that he was on his way to Kano to buy textile materials.

The curfew has also forced residents, some in need of food and other necessities to remain indoors while students who were billed to sit for the NECO examinations missed yesterday's papers.

Witnesses said about five formal schools including the ones at Ajari, Pompomari and another primary school along Gujba road were seen in flames. There are also yet to be confirmed reports that Bindigari and Central Primary schools had been set on fire.

It was also gathered that the private residence of Governor Ibrahim Gaidam at Sabon Fegi was not razed by the assailants as earlier feared. "Several gunshots targeted the highly fortified resident but it was not razed," a source said.

"We heard the sounds of all kinds of guns, including rocket launchers throughout Monday and in the early hours of yesterday (Tuesday)," he said. "Northern Nigeria is in trouble," he added.

Our correspondents could not ascertain the total number of buildings affected by the battle which took residents of Sabon Fegi, Gwange, Ali Marami, Pompomari and many parts of Damaturu unawares.

Over 30 roadblocks mounted by operatives of the JTF comprising soldiers, police, air force, navy, customs, immigrations and SSS were penetrated by the assailants.

Up till the time of filing this report, no group has claimed responsibility but residents said they heard the assailants, numbering over 100 chanting Allahu Akbar and moving without any sign of fear.

from DAILYTRUST
Written by Hamza Idris, Maiduguri and Hamisu Kabiru Matazu, Damaturu Wednesday, 20 June 2012 05:04 
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Yemen says kills militant who planned bombings

(Reuters) - Yemen's government says it has killed a militant Islamist who directed suicide bombers for an al Qaeda-linked group that has carried out a string of deadly attacks in the country.

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has claimed responsibility for several attacks in the impoverished country, including a bombing at a military parade rehearsal in the capital Sanaa last month which killed about 100 people.

Yemen is several weeks into a U.S.-backed military offensive against militants who seized territory in the restive south last year during an uprising that forced former President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down.

Map by Evan Centanni. (www.polgeonow.com)

President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who took office in February in a power transfer brokered by Saudi Arabia and blessed by Washington, has sworn to stamp out the Yemeni branch of al Qaeda, which has plotted attacks abroad.

The state news agency Saba said late on Tuesday that security forces had killed militant Salah al-Jawhari in the southern al-Bayda province, but did not elaborate.

However residents of the province's al-Yafea district gave a different version of events, saying a drone had fired missiles at al-Jawhari's vehicle - indicating it was a U.S. attack.

The United States has escalated its use of drones to kill suspected al Qaeda militants in the impoverished country.

Yemen said on Tuesday it had foiled a plot to attack foreign diplomatic missions in the capital. Saba quoted an official from Yemen's top security body as saying that security forces had arrested a man who was involved in that plot and also the attack on the parade rehearsal in Sanaa.

Yemeni troops last week regained control of several towns in the southern province of Abyan, which Islamist militants had seized last year.

But the assassination of a top southern military commander in the port city of Aden on Monday showed the militants are still capable of carrying out attacks and highlighted the tenuous grip of Yemen's central authorities on the south.

(Reporting by Mohammed Ghobari; Writing by Joseph Logan; Editing by Sami Aboudi and Pravin Char)

SANAA | Wed Jun 20, 2012 9:22am BST

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NATO airstrike kill 21 militants in Kunar province

English: for a project
Districts of Kunar. Wata Pur in black (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
According to local authorities in eastern Kunar province at least 21 militants were killed following NATO air raid in this province.

Provincial governor spokesman Wasifullah Wasifi confirming the report said the air raid was conducted after coalition forces were engaged by militants at Wata Pur and Mangoi districts.

Mr. Wasifi further added Afghan security forces and civilians did not suffer any casualties following the air raid.

In the meantime local authorities in northern Faryab province announced to detain at least four suicide bombers in this province.

Provincial security chief Gen. Baryalai Bashiryar said the suicide bombers were detained in Andkhoi district.

He also said the suspects were looking to travel to northern Mazar-e-Sharif city and were arrested by Afghan security forces.

Anti-government armed militant groups yet to comment regarding the reports.

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - Wed Jun 20, 1:15 pm
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Suicide blast rocks Afghan Khost city, killing and injuring several people

Districts of Khost (not showing the Shamal Dis...
Districts of Khost (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
KHOST, Afghanistan, June 20 (Xinhua) -- A suicide bombing rocked Khost city the capital of Khost province 150 km southeast of capitla Kabul on Wednesday, leaving 18 people dead including the attacker and injuring 35 others, hospital sources said.

"Eleven dead bodies and 15 injured have been taken to Civil Hospital in Khost city," head of the civilian hospital in Khost city, Abdul Majid told Xinhua.

Meantime, some dead and injured people have been taken to a private hospital there.

"We have received six dead bodies including two police and 20 injured men mostly civilians," Badri Gul, a doctor in a private hospital, told Xinhua.

On the other hand, Sardar Mohammad Zazai, the police chief of Khost province, said the bomber riding a motorbike blew himself up next to a military convoy.

However, he did not comment on the casualties, saying the bomber was killed in his blast. "It is too early to comment about the casualties," Zazai said, adding investigation is underway.

Locals said that attack took place at around 12:00 noon while a convoy of foreign forces was passing Faiz Mohammad Khan area in Khost city, inflicting casualties.

from XINHUA
2012-06-20 17:06:45

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other sources:


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UPDATE from U.S. Embassy Kabul:
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June 20., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force detained a Haqqani leader in Tsamkani district, Paktiya province, today.

The leader was responsible for conducting attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the district, including suicide bomber attacks against coalition bases. During the operation, the security force also detained two suspected insurgents.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

Afghan and coalition security forces confirmed today that the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader responsible for the May 22 kidnapping of four aid workers in Badakhshan was one of the insurgents detained during an operation in Yaftal-e Sufla district, Badakhshan province, Monday. The IMU leader is currently in the custody of security forces.

East

An Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban weapons dealer in Panjwa’i district, Kandahar province, today. The leader facilitated the shipment and delivery of explosives, rifles, and ammunition to insurgents operating throughout Kandahar. During the operation, the security force also detained two suspected insurgents.

In Pul-e ‘Alam district, Logar province, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to detain a Haqqani leader today. The leader is responsible for planning and conducting attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the district, including an attack against a coalition convoy in May. During the operation, the security force detained numerous suspected insurgents.

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June 19., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan (June 20, 2012) – Afghan and coalition forces killed 19 insurgents during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, June 19.

Kunar province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces killed 19 insurgent during a small arms engagement in Watahpur district.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

ISAF Joint Command
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Officials: Pakistani security forces capture key al Qaeda leader

from CNN
Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistani security forces arrested a key al Qaeda leader near the nation's border with Iran, military officials said Wednesday.

They arrested French national Naamen Maziche, who was in charge of some of the terror network's international operations, according to the Pakistani military officials. They did not want to be named because they are not authorized to talk to the media.

Maziche is a close aide of al Qaeda leader Younis Al Mauretani, the officials said.

Pakistani intelligence agents arrested Mauretani and three aides in September 2011. At the time of his arrest, Pakistani officials said he sought to attack targets in the United States, Europe and Australia.

Osama bin Laden had asked Mauretani to focus on hitting targets of economic importance in the U.S. such as oil pipelines, dams and oil tankers, Pakistani officials said at the time.

Mauretani told investigators Maziche was in Iran and possibly headed to Africa, the officials said.

The exact time and place of Maziche's arrest was unclear.


By Reza Sayah, CNN
June 20, 2012 -- Updated 1049 GMT (1849 HKT)


CNN video:
 
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Al Qaeda-linked group claims responsibility for attack in Israel

Members of the Mujahideen Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem, from a propaganda video obtained by the SITE Intelligence Group.
By   - LWJ

A jihadist organization calling itself the Mujahideen Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem (MSC) has claimed responsibility for yesterday's cross border attack in Israel, according to the SITE Intel Group.
The attack was launched near a security fence that Israel is constructing along its border with Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. One Israeli civilian was killed after the attackers detonated an improvised explosive device and then opened fire on two vehicles carrying construction workers. At least two terrorists were killed during the raid.
In videos released by the Ibn Taymiyyah Media Center, MSC members stand in front of al Qaeda-style flags. And, in a statement, the MSC dedicated the attack to slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. "We present this blessed invasion ... to the soul of the lion of Islam, the reviver of jihad, and the raiser of the banner, Sheikh Mujahid Osama bin Muhammad bin Laden," the MSC says, according to a translation by SITE.

The MSC also dedicates the attack to "the Syrian Muslim jihadi people," to "all the mujahideen and their commanders and emirs in all the battlefields of jihad," and to the "Salafi Jihadi oppressed lions in the land of the Gaza glory."
The MSC repeats common jihadist talking points, saying it is waging jihad "to become a building block in the global project aiming for the return of the rightly-guided Caliphate and the institution of the pure Shariah."
The MSC identified the two fighters who led the raid in Israel as an Egyptian named Khalid Salah Abdul Hadi Jadullah (a.k.a. Abu Salah al Masri) and a Saudi named Adi Saleh Abdullah al Fudhayli al Hadhli (a.k.a Abu Hudhayfa al Hudhali).
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video:

by Al Arabiya News translated to English:

http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/06/19/221590.html


“We announce the formation of the Shura Council of the Mujahideen of Jerusalem as the foundation of a blessed Jihadi operation, with a clear path and features to be a brick in the global project of bringing back the [Islamic] caliphate,” one masked gunman said in the video.

“To the foes of God - the Jews - we say, you infidels must know that what is coming is different than what has preceded and we shall make you drink from the same poisonous glass you gave to the people of Islam in Jerusalem,” the gunman added.

The final part of the video contains recorded statements made by two individuals in armed uniform, one claiming to be an Egyptian and the other insinuating to be a Saudi.

“I am the living martyr by God’s will Abu Huthaifa al-Hathly from the Peninsula of Muhammad (PBUH). We shall leave shortly to undergo a double martyr operation on the border of Egypt with Occupied Palestine today Monday 28 Rajab 1433 coinciding 18-06-2012,” said one of the two armed men who – contrary to the same video - were recording unmasked.

The two reportedly opened fire towards a convoy of vehicles carrying Israeli construction workers to the place where they were building part of the vast border fence along the frontier, prompting Israeli troops in the area to fire back.

Initial reports said two of the gunmen were killed along with one of the Israeli construction workers.

The Israeli army confirmed that gunmen had opened fire on construction workers in the area of the border, but did not immediately confirm the toll.

“A terrorist squad opened gunfire and possibly also fired an anti-tank rocket at an area where (Israel) is constructing the border fence,” Israeli military spokesman Yoav Mordechai told Army Radio.

“Soldiers arrived on the scene and killed one terrorist,” he said.

Army Radio said that an Israeli workman was killed by the militants.

An Israeli military source confirmed one of the workmen, an Arab citizen of Israel, was killed by the gunmen.

In the most serious attack in the area since the Egyptian popular uprising, militants crossed over the Egyptian border and killed eight Israelis in August 2011.

On Saturday, at least two rockets were fired deep into southern Israel, causing no damage or casualties. It was not clear whether they were launched from Gaza or Sinai.

Overnight on Sunday, Israeli aircraft carried out a series of strikes in the Gaza Strip in response to rocket fire from the enclave. Medical sources in Gaza said seven people were wounded.


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