Monday, July 9, 2012

Gunmen kill seven in attack on Pakistan military camp

English: Location of Lahore, in Punjab.
English: Location of Lahore, in Punjab. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
(Reuters) - Gunmen opened fire on a military encampment in eastern Pakistan on Monday, killing six soldiers and a policeman, the military said in a statement.

"A small rescue party had camped on the bank of (a) river to search for the body of a drowned/missing pilot," the statement said.

"Today, early morning, a few unknown assailants opened fire on the rescue party, which resulted in the shahadat (martyrdom) of six security forces personnnel."

The gunmen fled the scene after the shooting.

The attack took place near the town of Wazirabad, about 100 km (60 miles) north of the eastern city of Lahore, capital of the central Punjab province.

Such attacks are more common in northwest Pakistan, home to several militant groups, including the Taliban, but rare in Punjab. Some extremist groups are based in the southern part of the province, but are not known to attack security forces.

Pakistani security officials said they had started an investigation. No group had claimed responsibility.

"There are criminal groups active in the area, they could be involved. Or it could be militants, which could be a serious development," a senior Pakistani security official told Reuters. "We are not ruling anything out."

(Reporting by Qasim Nauman; Writing by Rebecca Conway; Editing by Ron Popeski)

from Reuters
ISLAMABAD | Mon Jul 9, 2012 8:20am BST

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17 armed insurgents killed, 4 wounded and 2 others arrested by ANP



Publish Date: Jul 09, 2012
17 armed insurgents killed, four wounded and two others arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:
During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched 17 joint clearance operations in Kunar, Laghman, Baghlan, Badakhshan, Kandahar, Zabul, Ghazni, Khost, Farah and Helmand provinces.

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

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated 2597 kilograms of opium, 24 different types of weapons with 136 magazines, one radio handset, one rocket launcher, one PKM machine gun, 13 heavy rounds, 600 light rounds, four different types of mines, 200 kilograms of explosive materials, four suicide vests and 12 motorcycles.

During the same 24 hour period, Afghan National Border Police discovered and defused 150 kilograms of explosive materials and one 82mm artillery shell with two rounds as a result of security operations in Herat and Logar provinces.
Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained five individuals accused of theft in the 5th District of Kabul-City.
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July 09., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

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

The detained Haqqani leader specializes in high-profile attacks and reported directly to senior Haqqani leaders.

At the time of his arrest, he was equipping his insurgent cell with military uniforms for a planned attack on an Afghan government facility.

The security force also detained several suspected insurgents and seized multiple firearms during the operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

An Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to apprehend a Taliban military leader in Imam Sahib district, Kunduz province, today. The military leader coordinates Taliban attacks throughout northern Kunduz, specializing in the use of improvised explosive device attacks and the recruitment and training of suicide attackers. During the operation, the forces detained multiple suspected insurgents and seized bomb-making materials.

South

In Now Zad district, Helmand province, an Afghan and coalition security force conducted a security operation Friday. The combined force recovered 1,600 kilograms (3,520 pounds) of opium. The operation also resulted in the death of one insurgent and the detention of one suspected insurgent. All the narcotics were destroyed on site.

Afghan and coalition security forces conducted a counternarcotics operation in Registan district, Kandahar province, Saturday. During the operation, the combined force seized over 1,500 kilograms (3,300 pounds) of opium and hashish. As a result of the operation, numerous suspected drug traffickers were detained and all the narcotics were destroyed on site.

Coalition forces conducted a security operation in the Garm Ser district, Helmand province yesterday. During the operation, the force seized approximately 1,600 kilograms (3,500 pounds) of opium and 8 kilograms (17 pounds) of heroin. As a result of the operation, numerous suspected insurgents were detained and all the narcotics were destroyed.

An Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban explosives expert in Panjwa’i district, Kandahar province, today. The detained explosives expert acquired, constructed and emplaced improvised explosive devices for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the province. During the operation the combined force detained two additional insurgents.

In Musa Qal’ah district, Helmand province, an Afghan and coalition security force detained multiple suspected insurgents and seized explosives and illegal weapons during an operation to detain a senior Taliban leader today. The Taliban leader is responsible for planning and executing improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the region.

East

Afghan and coalition forces conducted a security operation in search of a senior Taliban leader in Maidan Shahr district, Wardak province, today. Security forces positively identified the senior Taliban leader among a group of insurgents and engaged the target with a precision airstrike. A follow-on assessment confirmed the strike had killed one insurgent. The security force also confirmed the strike had not injured any civilians.

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July 08., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition detained two insurgents and cleared seven improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, July 8.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Gelan district.

Khowst province
Afghan Border Police and coalition forces detained an insurgent in Khowst district. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Terezayi district.

Laghman province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Mehtar Lam district.

Logar province
Afghan National Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Muhammad Aghah district.

Nangarhar province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared three IEDs, two in Shinwar district and one in Surkh Rod district.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces detained an insurgent in Shinwar district. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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6 American troops killed in Afghanistan IED attack

(CNN) -- Six U.S. troops were killed by an improvised explosive device Sunday in eastern Afghanistan, a U.S. official said.

The official asked to remain nameless because he was not authorized to speak about the incident publicly. Earlier in the day, the International Security Assistance Force issued a press release announcing the deaths without offering more details, including the nationalities of the slain troops.

A total of eight international troops were killed over the weekend, according to ISAF, which was first established by the U.N. Security Council in 2001 to secure Kabul and taken over by NATO two years later.

In separate news releases about incidents in southern Afghanistan, the coalition reported one of its servicemembers died Saturday after "an improvised explosive attack" and another was killed Sunday in "an insurgent attack."

The latest attacks came the same day diplomats from around the world convened in Tokyo to discuss Afghanistan's future, including what kind of international assistance the war-torn nation will receive going forward.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said donors at the conference pledged about $16 billion for Afghanistan over four years, a figure that doesn't include money from the United States since any foreign aid must be approved by Congress.

read more at CNN
By the CNN Wire Staff
July 8, 2012 -- Updated 2132 GMT (0532 HKT)

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Death toll in Nigeria village massacre hits 90

JOS, Nigeria July 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 90 people had been killed during attacks on villages in Gashik District of Barkinladi Local government area of central north Nigeria's Plateau State by Sunday afternoon, security sources and Xinhua reporters on ground said.

In a brief text message to Xinhua, the security sources said 50 burnt bodies were uncovered in the early hours of Sunday in a COCIN church in Matsai village.

Xinhua's reporters in the restive city of Jos said 20 persons were killed Sunday afternoon at the mass burial site of victims on Saturday attack, including a serving Senator, Gyang Dantong, representing Plateau north and the majority leader of the State House of Assembly, Gyang Fulani.

Before he was killed on Sunday, the late Fulani told Xinhua on Saturday that at least 20 people were killed on Friday night in Barkinladi by yet to be identified gunmen, who invaded nine villages of the locality.

"Dantong, Fulani and other unidentified officials were all murdered today during a mass burial for scores of people killed by unknown gunmen," the security source said.

Dan Manjan, a legislative aide to the senator, who escaped the attack said scores of injured victims are still receiving treatment in hospitals across the state.

A Xinhua reporter said the Berom people leaving in Jos have taken over major roads in the state.

Plateau State is situated in Nigeria's middle belt where the Muslim-dominated north and the Christian-majority south meet. It has seen years of ethnic tensions and is a major potential flashpoint ahead of the April presidential elections.

The state capital Jos was plunged in a pool of blood on March 7, 2010, when members of local Muslim and Christian communities fought each other in revenge for previous killings.

The state has recently witnessed some bomb blasts and constant rifts between Berom and Fulani herdsmen, with many, especially women and children, murdered in cold blood in the state.

from XINHUA
2012-07-09 00:41:11

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UNICEF official survives gun attack

KABUL CITY (PAN): The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) office head survived a gun attack that wounded another employee of the agency injured in northern Faryab province on Sunday, authorities said.

The incident took place in a health clinic in the Qaram Qul village, where UNICEF representatives -- involved in a polio vaccination drive -- came under attack from unidentified gunmen.

Sultan Sanjar, the town's administrative head, told Pajhwok Afghan that Dr. Fazal Ahmad, in charge of the UNICEF office, escaped unhurt in the attack. Another employee of the organisation was injured and their vehicle torched.

A provincial council member, who did not want to be named, accused local Taliban commander Qari Ahmad of plotting the gun attack.

from Pajhwok
by Qutbuddin Kohi on Jul 8, 2012 - 17:31

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R.I.P. - Capt. Bruce A. MacFarlane

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

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

            Capt. Bruce A. MacFarlane, 46, of Oviedo, Florida, died July 6, in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

            MacFarlane was assigned to the 1186th Transportation Company, 831st Transportation Battalion, Jacksonville, Fla.

            For more information related to this release, contact the U.S. Army Reserve Command Media Relations officer at 910-570-8329 or 910-495-5442.

---

 Oviedo soldier dies in Afghanistan
By Leslie Postal and David Breen, Orlando Sentinel
7:48 p.m. EST, July 8, 2012

A U.S. Army captain from Oviedo died in Afghanistan on Friday about three months after his Army Reserve unit was mobilized.

Bruce A. MacFarlane, 46, died in Kandahar, according to the Department of Defense, which did not provide information on how he died.

He was assigned to the 1186th Transportation Company, 831st Transportation Battalion, which is based in Jacksonville.

"He was a great guy, good family guy," said Keith Marang, who lives next door and said he met MacFarlane when both families moved into their new homes in 2008. "I was just floored when I heard the news."

He said MacFarlane, befitting his military career, was clean-cut and fit and looked younger than his age. He and his wife have two children, a son and a daughter, Marang said, adding that he thought they were in their early teens. He said the family moved to Oviedo from DeLand.

A person who answered the door at the family's large, modern home Sunday afternoon said they were not available, and she was not authorized to release any information. She said she was a friend of the family.

Until his recent deployment, MacFarlane ran a pool business, and he spent last summer installing his own family's backyard pool, working hour after hour in the heat to complete it with "remarkable" attention to detail, Marang said.

Once finished, "it was absolutely gorgeous," he said, with travertine tile, a hot tub at one end and a fire pit at the other, and three flower beds with stacked stone behind it. MacFarlane had said he hoped that this summer the pool would be a place where his children and their friends would hang out.

MacFarlane, who spent 12 years on active duty, was very patriotic, with an American flag always flying from his home, his neighbor said. Several small flags and red, white and blue pinwheels decorated the flower pots at the front door Sunday, presumably from the Fourth of July holiday last week.

MacFarlane enlisted in the Army in 1988, and was commissioned as an officer in 1991 after going through an ROTC program, according to Maj. Annmarie Daneker, media relations officer for the U.S. Army Reserve Command at Fort Bragg, N.C.

The Tennessee native was promoted to captain in 1996 and then released from active duty in 2000. Daneker said the records she had did not provide details about his relationship with the Army between the end of his active duty time and his deployment this year.

MacFarlane was mobilized for deployment to Afghanistan as a member of the Army Reserve in early April, she said.

As of Friday, there had been 2,020 U.S. military deaths — 1,593 in combat — in Afghanistan as part of "Operation Enduring Freedom," the defense department said.
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