Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Nigeria's Boko Haram claims responsibility for northern village attacks

ABUJA, July 10 (Xinhua) -- The dreaded Boko Haram sect known for carrying out various deadly attacks in the northern parts of Nigeria and the west African country's capital city Abuja on Tuesday claimed responsibility for the killing of over 90 villagers including two lawmakers of different levels in central north Plateau State last weekend.

In a statement made available to Xinhua, the sect said there is no going back in their decision to declare war on Christians and security agencies in the country.

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 2011 April presidential elections in the country.

"Like we said earlier, Christians in Nigeria should accept Islam, that is true religion, or they will never have peace. We do not regard them as trusted Christians as some illiterates are campaigning because it was Christians that first declared war on Muslims with the support of government," said the sect.

Members of the Boko Haram sect reiterated their aim and objective is to establish an Islamic kingdom in the country.

The sect also denied having anything to do with the newly appointed National Security Adviser (NSA) of Nigeria, Col. Sambo Dasuki, saying he never contacted any of its members.

"We heard the information going round that the new NSA has gotten means of reaching us for a dialogue, that is a new lie," it said.

At least 90 people were killed during attacks that started since Friday night on villages in Gashik District of Barkinladi local government area of Plateau State by Sunday afternoon, according to security sources and Xinhua reporters on ground.

A serving Nigerian senator Gyang Dantong, representing Plateau north and the majority leader of the State House of Assembly, Gyang Fulani were also killed in the attacks by the Boko Haram sect last Sunday.


from XINHUA
2012-07-10 20:28:03

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Bomb kills 3, wounds 14 in Baghdad - sources

(Reuters) - A bomb in a bus killed three people and wounded 14 in Baghdad, hospital and police sources said on Tuesday, the latest attack to raise fears of a return to sectarian violence in Iraq.

The explosion occurred in Sadr City, a Shi'ite district in northeastern Baghdad, the sources said.

International mediator Kofi Annan is in a separate, heavily fortified part of the capital for talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Syria.

Although violence in Iraq has eased since its peak in 2006-2007, last month at least 237 people were killed and 603 wounded in attacks, making it one of the bloodiest months since U.S. troops withdrew at the end of last year.

Sunni insurgents often attack Shi'ite targets to try to reignite sectarian violence that has killed tens of thousands.

(Reporting by Kareem Raheem; Writing by Sylvia Westall; Editing by Louise Ireland)

BAGHDAD | Tue Jul 10, 2012 3:22pm BST
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R.I.P. - Cpl. Juan P. Navarro

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

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

            Cpl. Juan P. Navarro, 23, of Austin, Texas, died July 7, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, when he was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device.

            Navarro was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

            For more information related to this release, media may contact the I Corps public affairs office at 253-477-3048 or 253-370-9861.

---

According to the Dept. of Defense, Cpl. Juan P. Navarro, 23, Austin, Texas, died July 7, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, when he was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

According to unit records, Cpl. Navarro entered the Army in June 2008. He attended Initial Army Training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Benning, GA. His AIT training was for MOS 11B (Infantryman).

Cpl. Navarro arrived at Joint Base Lewis-McChord November 2008 and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. He deployed to Iraq with his battalion from August 2009 to June 2010, and deployed with his battalion to Afghanistan in March. This was his second deployment.

Cpl. Navarro’s military education includes Military Occupational Specialty 11B: Infantryman (2008), and the Warrior Leader Course (2011).

His awards and decorations include Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Driver and Mechanic Badge.

On behalf of the entire Joint Base Lewis-McChord military and civilian community, we extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Cpl. Navarro.
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R.I.P. - Spc. Jonathan Batista

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

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

            Spc. Jonathan Batista, 22, of Kinnelon, N.J., died July 8, in Zharay, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 321st Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

            For more information the media may contact the 82nd Airborne Division public affairs office at 910-432-0661 or 910-813-3891.

---
from nj.com:


Spc. Jonathan Batista insisted his friends called him "Mr. Clutch."

The nickname stemmed from a baseball game he and his friends were playing when Batista was 13. The opposing pitcher had walked the preceding batter to face him. But he promptly blasted a triple, and for the next decade insisted he be called "Mr. Clutch."

Seven of his closest friends laughed at that memory Monday night as they sat around a booth at Paisano’s, a restaurant in Rutherford, remembering their pal who was killed in Afghanistan on Sunday.

He was the second New Jersey soldier to die in Afghanistan within the last week, the other casualty being Staff Sgt. Raul Guerra of Union City.

Batista’s friends said they preferred other nicknames: "Thighs" because of his massive thighs. "Fantista" because of the large quantities of Fanta he consumed, so much so that he had a special section of the refrigerator devoted to the soft drink at his home and at the home of his friend, David Jones.

His friends sat with bottles of wine and glasses of beer remembering these and other memories of their 22-year old friend.

The restaurant seemed appropriate. Batista had worked there in high school and declared it to be his favorite. He often ate there when returning from basic training.

The mood was light. His friends chose to laugh at memories they shared, not mourn what they lost.

Batista was killed in Zharay, a part of Kandahar province, according to the Department of Defense, when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire.

Batista was on his first tour, working as a mine detector. He enlisted, his friends said, as a way to improve his life, to get out of Rutherford and see the world.

"He wanted more than what Rutherford had to offer," said Alfredo Lastra.

Batista was an infantryman with A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 321st Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

"Jon was a devoted son, a caring brother, a paratrooper dedicated to the safety and security of his infantry team," said battalion commander Lt. Col. Philip Raymond in a statement. Raymond added Batista was always ready to sacrifice his life for the good of platoon.

"Their safety was his priority," he said. "His courage bolstered theirs and endeared him to his platoon."

He had been awarded several medals, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Achievement Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Batista, who was set to return to the United States in August, never seemed to mind the stress of the campaign, his friends said. Before his deployment, he assured those worried about him it would be no big deal. "It was going to be great, like a stroll in the park," Jamie Parnofiello, remembers Batista saying.

At Rutherford High School, he may not have been the best student, his friends said, but his grades belied his intelligence. He was sharp and kind. When he worked at Paisano’s, he knew everyone’s name and was friendly and helpful to all — from the dishwashers to the manager.

Born in the Dominican Republic, he lived in Rutherford most of his life until recently when his mother remarried and moved to Smoke Rise, a gated community in Kinnelon. Attempts to reach her were unsuccessful.

Parnofiello said he spoke to Batista via Facebook recently, and he was completely relaxed even though he was in a combat zone.

“I was in the middle of basketball camp and I got the call and I just had to cry,” Parnofiello said. “He had meant so much to everyone. The hardest part is that you don’t get to say bye.”
Lastra said he never gave anyone cause for concern.

"You never worried about it," Lastra said, "because he was never worried about himself."

Batista and Guerra are at least the 45th and 46th service member with ties to New Jersey to die in Afghanistan since the war began in 2001. In addition, 102 service members from New Jersey have died in Iraq since 2003.

Guerra was a lifer — ready to serve his entire career in the military.

Guerra was on his fifth tour of duty. when he died on a base in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan, said Joint Base Lewis McChord in a statement today.

His death was non-combat related, said Lt. Col. Gary Dangerfield, and remains under investigation.

"(Guerra) seemed to be a pretty good guy, he was well liked," said Dangerfield today, noting he’d recently spoken with a soldier who served with the 37-year-old husband and father of one. "He was a hard worker."

"When you get to the rank of staff sergeant that means you’ve committed yourself to service, and that’s pretty admirable," Dangerfield said. "That’s noble."

Guerra was assigned to the 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion, which is part of the 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade. This was his fourth tour in Afghanistan. He also served a 14-month tour in Iraq.

His last role was as a "human intelligence collector," Dangerfield said, meaning he would help his unit sort through data and turn it into "actionable intelligence."

"He was a warrior and he will be missed," Dangerfield said, referring to Guerra’s five war deployments. "One loss is too many — the best thing we can do now is just move forward and honor his service."

Star-Ledger staff writers Dan Goldberg and Ben Horowitz contributed to this report.
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R.I.P. - Staff Sgt. Raul M. Guerra

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

            Staff Sgt. Raul M. Guerra, 37, of Union City, N.J., died July 4, in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan.

            Guerra was assigned to the 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

            For more information related to this release, the media may contact the I Corps public affairs office at 253-477-3048 or 253-370-9861.

---
from nj.com:

A U.S. Army soldier and Union City native died in Afghanistan last week, his fifth deployment during Operation Enduring Freedom.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Raul M. Guerra, 37, died July 4 in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan. The Department of Defense would not confirm how he died. At the time of his death, Guerra was in the midst of his fifth deployment, which had started in May.

Spin Boldak is a town in the southern Kandahar province, on the Pakistan border.

Guerra was a decorated veteran of the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, with two Joint Service Commendation Medals topping the list of accolades he received during his service in the military.

Guerra joined the Army in March 1999, completing basic training as a light wheel vehicle mechanic.

He was assigned to Fort Bragg in North Carolina, from where he served three tours in Afghanistan between March 2002 and January 2006.

In 2007, Guerra reclassified and became a human intelligence collector, moving to Fort Stewart in Georgia. From there he served one tour in Iraq from October 2007 through December 2008.

At the time of his death, Guerra was assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord outside of Tacoma, Wash., moving there in July 2011 after a two-year stint stationed in Germany. He deployed in May to Afghanistan with the 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade.

Union City Mayor Brian Stack said all flags in the city would be flown at half-staff to honor the late resident.

"My heart goes out to the family," Stack said. "We're very proud he was from Union City, and we thank him for giving his life for freedom."
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28 armed insurgents killed, 1 wounded and 31 arrested by ANP



Publish Date: Jul 10, 2012
28 armed insurgents killed, one wounded and 31 arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:
During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched 10 joint clearance operations in Kunar, Baghlan, Samangan, Kunduz, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Zabul, Ghazni, Khost and Helmand provinces.
  
As a result of these operations, 28 armed insurgents were killed, one wounded and 31 others were arrested by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated 10 AK-47 assault rifles with 21 magazines, three rocket launchers, two PKM machine guns, five different types of mines, 12 hand grenades, 60 kilograms of explosive materials, 14 heavy rounds, 1034 light rounds, five pistols, five radio handsets and one motorcycle.

During the same 24 hour period, Afghan National Police discovered two rocket launchers, 34 PKM rounds, one BM-1 round and defused two anti-vehicle mines and 20 kilograms of explosive materials as a result of security operations in Sar-e-Pul, Parwan and Nangarhar provinces.

Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained seven individuals accused of theft, assault and murder in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 11th and 17th Districts of Kabul-City.
 
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Taliban destroy UN food trucks in Faryab

MAIMANA (PAN): Taliban fighters torched two trucks carrying food stuff for the World Food Programme (WFP) and killed one their drivers in the northern province of Faryab, officials said on Tuesday.

The incident occurred on Tuesday morning in the Narin area between Qaisar and Almar districts of the province, provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Abdul Khaliq Aqsai told Pajhwok Afghan News.

The two trucks loaded with food were set ablaze and a driver killed in the incident, he said.

The militants destroyed nearly 60 tonnes of wheat and ghee and Taliban also arrested two truck drivers, said Qaisar district chief Mohammad Siddique Hamidyar.

The trucks were transporting wheat, ghee, pulses and salt for 4,500 families in the Qaisar district, said a WFP staff, a UN agency, on condition of anonymity.

According to Aqsai, a woman was injured when a car passed by the burning trucks, but a driver Mohammad Aman said the woman died in the incident.

from Pajhwok
by Qutbuddin Kohi on Jul 10, 2012 - 12:57

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Local residents clash with Taliban in eastern Afghanistan

According to local authorities in eastern Paktiya and Nuristan provinces of Afghanistan local residents resisted against hundreds of Taliban militants and forced to pull back from these provinces.

Paktiya deputy provincial governor Abdul Rahman Mangal said around 400 Taliban militants attacked Mirazka district in this province early Monday morning around 2 am.

Mr. Mangal further added the assailant militants wanted to destroy district compound however Afghan security forces backed by local residents resisted the Taliban fighters.

He also said Taliban militants have left the district and at least 1 Afghan police and 2 Taliban militants were killed following clashes.

In the meantime local residents in eastern Nuristan province said local residents resisted and clashed with the Taliban fighters in this province.

Mawlawi Ahmadullah Mohid Afghan parliament member representing easern Nuristan province said Taliban militants were looking to close schools and religious Madrasas after NATO troops carried out airstrike against militants safe havens in this province.

This comes as local residents in Andar district of eastern Ghazni province resisted and clashed with the Taliban militants to reopen the schools and health clinics in this province.

Earlier local residents in northern Faryab province resisted against the Taliban militants at Almar district.

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - Mon Jul 09, 10:04 pm

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July 10., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force detained two Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leaders in Kunduz district, Kunduz province, Saturday.

The detained IMU leaders were directly involved in the construction of improvised explosive devices and their use in insurgent attacks in and around central Kunduz.

Both leaders are associated with senior IMU leadership and participated in high-profile suicide attack planning, including a failed attack in January.

The security force also detained two suspected insurgents as a result of this operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

An Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban military chief in Imam Sahib district, Kunduz province, Monday. The detained military chief coordinated Taliban attacks throughout northern Kunduz, specializing in the planning and execution of improvised explosive device and suicide attacks.

An Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation to detain the leader of a Taliban attack cell in Chimtal district, Balkh province, today. During the operation a group of insurgents attacked the combined force. The force returned fire killing all of the attackers. As the force continued their mission, another armed individual approached and threatened them with his weapon. He was consequently engaged and killed by the security force. The operation resulted in the detention of one suspected insurgent and the seizure of multiple weapons.

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July 09., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces killed eight insurgents, detained three and cleared six improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, July 9.

Ghazni province
A coalition airstrike killed an insurgent in Muqer district in response to Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces receiving small arms and indirect fire.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Giro district.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces killed three insurgents and detained one during a small arms engagement. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning. In a separate engagement, a coalition airstrike killed four insurgents. Both engagements occurred in Ab Band district.

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

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Qarah Bagh district.

Logar province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared two IEDs in Baraki Barak district.

Nangarhar province
Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Pachir Wa Agam District.

Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Nazyan District.

Wardak province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces detained an insurgent during an engagement in Sayyidabad district. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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