Monday, June 25, 2012

U.S. drone strike kills 3 al-Qaida militants in Yemen's Aden

ADEN, Yemen, June 25 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. drone strike killed three suspected al-Qaida militants on Monday in Yemen's southern port city of Aden while they were travelling on a desert road, a security official told Xinhua.

The air bombing occurred near the desert area of Beer Hameed on the outskirts of Aden, and killed three suspected al-Qaida militants, including a senior commander of the terrorist group, the local security official said on condition of anonymity.

"Two missiles bombed an al-Qaida convoy, destroying a small pick-up truck and killing all passengers inside," the security official said, adding that "They were coming from neighboring Abyan province, where army troops seized control of the al-Qaida bastions."

It is the first drone strike in Aden's suburbs, according to the official.

"The identity and nationality of the slain commander of the al- Qaida group is not immediately known," a senior military intelligence officer told Xinhua anonymously.

Meanwhile, the country's Defense Ministry said in a brief text message obtained by Xinhua that about 73 people were killed in the southern Abyan province over the past few days in explosions from land mines planted by al-Qaida militants before they fled the province.

The U.S.-backed army offensive forced al-Qaida militants to flee several bastions in the country's restive southern and eastern provinces which they captured during last year's political turmoil.

The al-Qaida militants remain in control of the smaller town of Mahfad in Abyan and some small cities in neighboring Shabwa province.

Combating al-Qaida militants in the restive south is one of the challenges confronting current Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who has promised to launch a national dialogue to settle disputes among all political factions and uproot the Yemeni branch of al-Qaida.


from XINHUA
2012-06-25 20:06:14

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R.I.P. - Car. Sc. Manuele Braj (Italy)

via http://www.esercito.difesa.it
An Italian soldier was killed Monday and two others were wounded in an explosion at a police training camp in Adraskan in western Afghanistan, Italy's defense ministry said.

The explosion hit "an observation hut near a shooting range", the ministry said in a statement, without giving further details on what caused the blast.

Manuele Braj, 30, who was married with an eight-month-old baby, was killed instantly. Two other Italian soldiers were wounded to the legs but are out of danger. All three belonged to the Police Specialty Training Team (PSTT).

Afghanistan Western region police spokesman Raouf Ahmadi said, however, that there was no sign of an attack, and the soldier died when a grenade went off inside a watchtower at the base.

The blast area has been isolated while officials carry out an investigation into the explosion, the ministry said.

Italian sources: 



English sources:



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Herat blast kills ISAF soldier, injures 2

Shindand District (in south) on Herat province map
Herat province map (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
HERAT (PAN): One International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) soldier was killed and two others injured in an explosion in the Adraskan district of western Herat province on Monday, officials said.

The blast happened at around 8 am inside a police training centre in the district, police spokesman for western zone, Col. Abdur Rauf Ahmadi told Pajhwok Afghan News.

He said one foreign soldier was killed and two others injured, but unsure what triggered the explosion.

Acting district chief of Adraskan, Subhan Rostayee, said a trainee policeman threw a hand grenade by mistake during training that led to the casualties.

An Italian soldier was killed and two others injured in the blast and the injured were in critical condition, he added.

ISAF in a statement said they are aware of the incident at a training facility in Heart and were probing the case. ISAF also acknowledged the killing of one of their soldiers in western Afghanistan.

But it did not reveal further details.

from Pajhwok




In the meantime Italian Defense Ministry following a statement announced, an Italian soldier has been killed and two others injured in a blast at a police training camp in the town of Adraskan in western Afghanistan.
Manuele Braj, 30, who was married with an eight-month-old baby, was killed instantly. Two other Italian soldiers were wounded to the legs but are out of danger. All three belonged to the Police Specialty Training Team (PSTT).
The explosion took place on Monday in “an observation hut near a shooting range”, killing the 30-year-old soldier, Italian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

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Six Pakistani Troops Said Killed In Cross-Border Attack By Taliban

Map showing the location of Dir District (high...
Map showing the location of Dir District (highlighted in yellow) within the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Pakistani officials say that more than 100 Taliban fighters crossed over from Afghanistan and attacked three Pakistani military posts on June 24, killing at least six soldiers.

Military officials say at least 11 of the attackers were also killed in the firefight, which lasted 40 minutes in the Soni Darr area of Upper Dir district.

A Taliban spokesman, Saruj ul-Haq of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Malakand area, took credit for the attack in a phone call to Radio Mashaal.

The attacks were the latest in a series of cross-border assaults from regions in eastern Afghanistan where U.S. troops began pulling out last year.

from RFE/RL
June 25, 2012
Based on reporting by CNN, Dawn, and RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal

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Afghan National Civil Order Police arrested 11 armed insurgents

Publish Date: Jun 25, 2012

Afghan National Civil Order Police arrested 11 armed insurgents

As a result of clash between Afghan National Civil Order Police and armed insurgents, 11 armed insurgents were arrested.

The incident took place in the Tarkha Nawa region, Marjah District of Helmand province, yesterday.

Also, during the clash, Afghan National Civil Order Police confiscated some amount of light weapons, one rocket launcher and three motorcycles.

During the clash no ANCOP member was harmed.

from 
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ANP discovered two weapon caches and arrested two mine planters

Publish Date: Jun 25, 2012

Afghan National Police discovered two weapon caches and arrested two mine planters

Afghan National Police launched an operation in the Dahna-e-Ghori District of Baghlan province.

As a result of this operation, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated a weapon cache consist of: 720 mortar rounds, 43 rockets, 15 82mm artillery shells and 21 rocket fuses.

In a separate report, Afghan National Police conducted an operation in the Jorm District of Badakhshan province.

As a result of this operation, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated a weapon cache consist of: 55 mortar rounds.

In the meantime, Afghan National Police arrested two mine planters while they were making IED in the Chah Aab village, Kunduz province, yesterday.

Afghan National Police are working diligently with local leaders and the public to prevent these types of acts from killing and wounding innocent civilians and security forces.

from 
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5 armed insurgents killed and 9 others arrested by ANP



Publish Date: Jun 25, 2012
Five armed insurgents killed and nine others arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:
During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched six joint clearance operations in Kabul, Laghman, Kandahar, Khost and Zabul provinces.

As a result of these operations, five armed insurgents were killed and nine others were arrested by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated five different types of weapons, 198 heavy rounds, 300 light rounds, two radio handsets, 11 different types of mines, three hand grenades, 25 kilograms of explosive materials and 13 magazines.

During the same 24 hour period, Afghan National Police discovered and defused three anti-vehicle mines as a result of security operations in Faryab, Nimroz and Ghazni provinces.
 
Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained 11 individuals accused of carrying illegal weapons without license and assault in the Shakar Dara, Qarabagh, 4th, 5th, 7th,15th and 17th District of Kabul-City.
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June 24., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces killed five insurgents, detained one and located a weapons cache during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, June 24.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces killed three insurgent during small arms engagement in Giro district. Coalition forces also killed two insurgents in Qarah Bagh district. The insurgents were preparing mortars for an indirect fire attack.

Khowst province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Nadir Shah Kot district. The cache contained items used for improvised explosive devices.

Nuristan province
Afghan National Army and coalition forces detained one insurgent during an engagement in Nurgaram district. The detained suspect was found with IED making materials. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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2 Isaf Troops, 2 Civilians Die in Kandahar Road Accident

Two foreign soldiers and two civilians were killed in a car accident in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province on Sunday, provincial officials said.

The accident occurred on Kandahar Airport Ave when a Nato supply truck hit a military vehicle, killing two foreign soldiers and two Afghan drivers, provincial spokesman Jawid Faisal said.

The International Security Assistance Force confirmed the deaths.

Separately, an Isaf helicopter made a forced landing in southern Afghanistan on Saturday, Isaf said in a statement.

Initial reports indicate that there was no enemy activity in the area and all crew members were recovered, the statement said.

It came only a day after Australia's Department of Defence said one of its CH-47 Chinook helicopters was damaged in a hard landing during combat support operations in Kandahar province on Friday.

The incident occurred at patrol base in Kandahar and one of the crew "received a minor injury", it said.

He will return to duty in the coming days, Defence said.

from TOLOnews.com
Sunday, 24 June 2012 15:14


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Two Afghan children were wounded in separate incidents

Districts of Kandahar. Panjwai is shown in dar...
Districts of Kandahar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Two Afghan children were wounded in separate
incidents in Arghandab District, Afghanistan, when one stepped on a mine
and the other on an improvised explosive device, June 24.

The first child lost both legs after stepping on an anti-personnel mine
at approximately 10 a.m. The Afghan National Army and their American
partners were first on scene to provide emergency care before the ANA
evacuated the child and parents to a local hospital.

The second child is reported to have stepped on an IED at approximately
1 p.m. Afghan Uniformed Police reported the incident and evacuated the
child to a local hospital for care.

Both incidents are the result of Taliban operations in the surrounding
areas.

from KMIC (Kandahar Media Infoirmation Center)
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10 al-Qaida members escaped from Yemeni jail in Aden

ADEN, Yemen, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Ten suspected members of the al-Qaida terrorist group escaped from a heavily-guarded jail in the southern port city of Aden Sunday, a Yemeni security official said.

The escapees were confirmed belonging to al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and managed to escape from the central jail in Mansoura district in Aden, the local security official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

"The ten jailed militants escaped from the political security prison in Mansoura. Some convicted on terrorism charges and militant attacks against domestic facilities," the official said.

"Initial information show that they fled after a short overnight shootout with the guards around the prison," he added.

The country's Defense Ministry said in a brief text message obtained by Xinhua that "a full investigation into the escaping ten inmates from the Mansoura's jail would be launched soon."

However, the ministry did not mention how the jailed al-Qaida members escaped from the heavily-guarded prison.

On Friday, the Yemeni security forces managed to capture a leading member of the al-Qaida terrorist group suspected of links to a suicide bombing attack that killed a high-ranking military commander earlier this week in Aden.

Combating al-Qaida militants in restive south is one of several challenges confronting current President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who has promised to launch a national dialogue to settle disputes between all political factions. Also, he has sworn to uproot the Yemeni branch of al-Qaida.

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Grenade attack in Kenya's Mombasa kills at least one, injures seven

MOMBASA, Kenya, June 24 (Xinhua) -- At least one person was killed and seven others seriously injuries in grenade attacks in a pub in the coastal city of Mombasa on Sunday evening, police and eye witnesses have confirmed.

The incident occurred at 9:45 p.m. local time, which comes a day after the U.S. government warned of an "imminent threat" of a terror attack on Mombasa and urged the American government officials to vacate the port city.

Police and Xinhua reporters at the scene said at least three grenades were hurled inside the Jericho Bar in Mishomoroni, about 8 km from Mombasa town where revelers were having drinks.

"There were at least three grenades which were hurled inside the Jericho Bar situated in Mishomoroni Bamburi of Mombasa. Seven others were injured and have been rushed to the hospital by the Kenya Red Cross Society," an eye witness who requested anonymity told Xinhua on Sunday night.

Local media reported three feared dead in the attacks.

Bomb experts and anti-terrorism police officers have rushed to the scene to secure the place. "We have launched investigations to establish the motive behind the attack," Coast regional Criminal Investigating Officer (CID) Ambrose Munyasia said at the scene.

A statement from the U.S. embassy in Nairobi said it has suspended all U.S. government travel to the coastal city of Mombasa until July 1, adding American private citizens are not subject to the same restrictions but should consider this information in their travel planning.

However, the Kenyan government protested at the travel advisory, terming it an economic sabotage.

"It is a reckless advisory and it was totally uncalled for," Acting Head of the Public Service Francis Kimemia told journalists in Mombasa on Sunday.

Kimemia said the east African nation was playing a pivotal role in ensuring that terrorism and other forms of criminal activities threatening the country's security were minimized if not eliminated.

He termed the ban as unfortunate and urged tourists to ignore it, saying it came at an unfortunate time despite efforts by Kenya to root out terrorism.

Tourism Minister Dan Mwazo confirmed that since the ban was issued, over 100 cancellations to the Kenyan coast have been reported, terming it a big blow to the tourism industry.

Mombasa, the country's second largest city and a major tourist spot is one of various cities targeted by a series of grenade attacks and abduction of foreigners in recent months.

France has also warned its citizens to be "extremely vigilant" in Mombasa.

The warnings came as police are questioning two Iranians detained over suspected links to a terror network planning bombings in the east African nation's key cities.

Kenyan anti-terrorism police on Sunday also arrested two Nigerians without valid documents to be in Kenya and recovered heavy communication gadgets floating along the shore of Indian Ocean in Mombasa, which police suspected are used to make explosive device.

The police said they suspect the Nigerians to be engaging in some unlawful activities in the coastal city and other parts of the country.

from XINHUA
2012-06-25 05:29:18
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Nigerian troops kills 6 sea pirates in oil rich state

Bayelsa State Nigeria
Bayelsa State Nigeria (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
YENAGOA, Nigeria, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian troops in oil rich Bayelsa State on Sunday said they killed six suspected Sea Pirates during a gun battle on waterways.

Spokesperson for the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu told reporters in Yenagoa, the state capital that the JTF encountered the pirates during routine patrol.

"On sighting our troops, the sea pirates opened fire and the troops retaliated immediately leading to the killing of six pirates, while another member of the gang managed to escape," he added.

Nwachukwu said the fleeing pirate sustained gunshot wounds, adding that a 200 horse-powered speed boat, two single barrel guns and seven telephones were recovered from the gang.

He added that other items recovered from them were two hard saws, three hard saw blade and four wraps of substance suspected to be India hemp.


from XINHUA
2012-06-25 06:08:04
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More schoolgirls poisoned in Sar-i-Pul

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (PAN): Dozens of Sorkhak girls’ high school students were poisoned on Sunday in the northern province of Sar-i-Pul, officials said.

The incident took place at around 11am in the Sar-i-Pul city of the province but the cause of the poisoning is not known, the education director, Abdul Ghafoor Sar-i-Puli told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Director of public health Dr. Mohammad Amin Alteem said 94 girls had been taken to the hospital.

Many students developed symptoms such as rashes and suffered dizziness, and authorities are investigating to find the cause of the incident, he said.

More than 100 students of the Imam Yahya girls’ high school were poisoned on Saturday in the province.

The public health and security officials said poisonous substance or gas sprayed in the classrooms that had affected the girls.

from Pajhwok
by ‌Zabihullah Ihsas on Jun 24, 2012 - 17:37

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