Thursday, March 7, 2013

Hungarian SOF bid farewell, receive NATO medals

U.S. Special Operations Command Europe
Story by Maj. Joel Anderson

--
KABUL, Afghanistan - Hungarian Army Special Operations Forces (SOF) soldiers of the 34th 'László Bercsényi' Special Forces Battalion (KMZ) were recognized here for their outstanding contributions upon completion of their most recent rotation to train Afghan Security Forces in eastern Afghanistan.

The specially trained Hungarian soldiers have been working as part of a multi-nation, SOF Task Force in the Regional Command East (RC-E) area of the country to train Special Police Units (SPUs), specialists in civil order security and high-risk arrests.

Hungarian SOF has been assisting in this mission for almost the entire five years that the task force, which they are a member of, has been in existence with six-month rotations in support of ANSF and ISAF.

Hungarian SOF Commander, Col. Tamas Sandor said, "I am very proud of these guys and the way they have represented our country to assist and train our Afghan partners in the SPU."

In addition to leaders from across the NATO Special Operations Component Command Afghanistan (NSOCC-A), Antal Dragos, the recently arrived, Hungarian Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, was also on hand in recognition of the occasion.

The event wrapped up with the serving of a traditional Hungarian beef stew served over boiled potatoes.

"Our team and I are very lucky," Sandor exclaimed. "we have some of our support staff members here with and they do so much to support our team while deployed here and we all greatly appreciate these efforts."

Hungarian SOF and their NSOCC-A brothers-in-arms are part of efforts in training the SPUs to develop capacity for future, sustainable tactics and inter-ANSF collaboration in the months ahead to ensure Afghan people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan are ready to independently face the security challenges of the future.

more photos on ApacheClips.com
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Pakistan forces arrest top Taliban commander, foreigner

Pakistani forces have reportedly arrested a top commander of dreaded militant outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)  alongwith a foreigner in country’s restive Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa province.

Islamabad, March 7/Nationalturk- In a major setback to dreaded militant outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Pakistani forces have reportedly arrested a top commander of the outfit alongwith a foreigner in country’s restive Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa province.

Pakistan newspaper, The Dawn, quoted security sources as saying that operational commander of TTP  Qari Basit and an unknown foreigner were arrested by Pakistan security agencies during a raid in Kheshgi town of Nowshera in Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa province.

They said the Pakistani security agencies conducted raid in Kheshgi town of Nowshera yesterday after receiving inputs about presence of TTP commander in the area.
TTP commander, foreigner being questioned

“The TTP commander Qari Basit and the foreigner, whose name was not disclosed, were taken to an unknown place for questioning,” sources said.

They said Basit was involved in many terrorist attacks in the country. “Security forces had been hunting for him”.

Sources said the two terrorists were in the area on a mission to attack country’s Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain, who is on the hit list of TTP.

The Pakistani security officials remained tightlipped about the arrests. They have not made any statement in this regard so far.

Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk Pakistan News
07 March, 2013 | 10:58

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Five militants killed in Orakzai

PESHAWAR: At least five suspected militants were killed during a security forces operation in the northwestern tribal region of Orakzai, DawnNews reported.

The militants were killed in the tribal region’s Ghundamela area after which security forces took control of the insurgent hideout.

Separately, in Orakzai’s Nadirmela area, a remote-control bomb attack targeted a security forces vehicle, killing one security man and wounding three others.

Orakzai is one of Pakistan’s seven semi-autonomous tribal regions in the northwest, where Pakistani Taliban and Al Qaeda-linked militants are said to have carved out strongholds.

from DAWN
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R.I.P. - Brigadier-chef Wilfried Pingaud (FR)(Mali,Operation Serval)

some translation with g**gle:

January 21, 2013, it is projected through the operation SERVAL, Mali, as an assistant computer operator ATLAS. March 6, 2013, in the early morning, a detachment of the Malian army conducting search operations and recognition has been attacked by terrorist groups in the region of Tin Keraten, northeast of Imenas to one hundred kilometers from Gao. During the clash, the sergeant Pingaud inserted with the battalion in Mali, was fatally wounded. Transported to the field hospital Gao advanced to be made​​, it is unfortunately died of his injuries a few hours later.
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IN MEMORIAM : Brigadier-chef Wilfried Pingaud

Né le 23 novembre 1976, le brigadier-chef de première classe Wilfried PINGAUD aura servi la France durant près de 18 ans. A 18 ans, le 4 avril 1995, il signe un contrat d’engagé volontaire de l’armée de Terre pour cinq ans au titre du 68e régiment d’artillerie d’Afrique (68e RAA). A l’issue de sa formation initiale, il rejoint la 2e batterie du 68e RAA en tant que servant artillerie. Il se distingue alors immédiatement par son goût de l’effort et fait preuve de belles qualités humaines. Le 13 juillet de la même année, il obtient brillamment le certificat technique élémentaire (CTE) spécialité « mortier lourd » avant d’être élevé le 1er décembre 1995 à la distinction de 1re classe.

Désigné pour partir en mission de courte durée à Mayotte de février à juin 1996, il obtient durant son séjour le certificat technique élémentaire spécialité « Choc et Feu », démontrant par la même occasion un excellent état d’esprit et de très bonnes aptitudes militaires.

En avril 1997, il rejoint avec sa batterie la République Centrafricaine comme conducteur poids lourd au sein de l’équipe munitions. De retour au régiment après quatre mois de mission, ses états de services sont récompensés par une promotion au grade de brigadier le 1er décembre 1998.

Polyvalent, soucieux d’élargir ses compétences, il sert alors comme cuisinier au sein de la 2e batterie puis rejoint la 11e batterie et le cercle mess le 1er février 1999. Le 17 mars 1999, il réussit avec brio le certificat technique élémentaire spécialité « restauration collective ». Faisant preuve d’une très grande disponibilité et d’une remarquable ardeur au travail, il devient rapidement un adjoint de valeur du chef de cuisine.

En séjour en Polynésie de février à mai 2000, il est un exemple pour les plus jeunes et démontre de grandes capacités d’initiative. Ses belles qualités militaires et techniques lui valent la promotion au grade de brigadier-chef le 1er octobre 2000 et, le 1er novembre de la même année, il est déclaré titulaire du certificat d’aptitude technique du premier degré « Mortier lourd ».

De septembre à novembre 2002, il effectue un séjour en Afghanistan au titre de l’opération PAMIR – mandat EPIDOTE comme aide moniteur à l’instruction de l’armée nationale afghane (ANA) ; il s’investit sans compter dans sa mission et obtient d’excellents résultats, mettant à profit ses connaissances étendues en artillerie. Son travail est unanimement reconnu et récompensé par l’attribution du certificat d’aptitude technique du 2e degré spécialité « pointeur mortier » le 31 décembre 2002. De retour en régiment, il occupe le poste de conducteur poids lourd et magasinier et est promu au grade de brigadier-chef de 1re classe le 4 avril 2006.

Le 1er janvier 2009, il rejoint le groupement de soutien de la base de défense (GSBDD) de La Valbonne nouvellement créé, où il exerce la fonction de permanent du bureau tir. Exemplaire en toutes circonstances, doté d’une excellente condition physique, il donne entière satisfaction. Le 1er septembre 2011, avec le transfert du bureau tir du camp de La Valbonne, il est de nouveau affecté au 68e régiment d’artillerie d’Afrique.

Le 21 janvier 2013, il est projeté dans le cadre de l’opération SERVAL, au Mali, en tant qu’adjoint pupitreur ATLAS. Le 6 mars 2013, en début de matinée, un détachement de l’armée malienne conduisant des opérations de fouilles et de reconnaissance a été pris à partie par des groupes terroristes dans la région de Tin Keraten, au nord-est d’Imenas, à une centaine de kilomètres de Gao. 

Au cours de cet accrochage, le brigadier-chef PINGAUD, inséré auprès du bataillon malien, a été mortellement touché. Transporté vers l’antenne chirurgicale avancée de Gao afin d’y être opéré, il est malheureusement décédé des suites de ses blessures quelques heures après.

Il est le quatrième soldat français à mourir au combat depuis le lancement de l’opération Serval.
Le brigadier-chef de première classe Wilfried PINGAUD était titulaire de la médaille d’or de la défense nationale, de la médaille commémorative française avec agrafe Afghanistan et de la médaille d’outre-mer avec agrafes République du Congo et République Centrafricaine.

Agé de 36 ans, le brigadier-chef de première classe Wilfried PINGAUD était marié et père de deux enfants.

Il a été tué dans l’accomplissement de sa mission au service de la France.

Source : Armée de Terre
 
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3 al-Qaida members escape from prison in southern Yemen

Map of Yemen showing Abyan governorate.
Map of Yemen showing Abyan governorate. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
ADEN, Yemen, March 6 (Xinhua) -- At least three members of the Yemen-based al-Qaida branch escaped from an intelligence jail in the southern province of Abyan on Wednesday evening, a security official told Xinhua.

Three al-Qaida inmates escaped from the military intelligence jail in Mudiyah town in Abyan province, after a short shootout with guards at the prison, the local security official said on condition of anonymity.

"An armed squad of terrorists attacked security guards at the main gate of Mudiyah prison, sparking a short shootout in the area, " the security source said, adding that the three al-Qaida inmates staged the getaway amid the clashes.

A local intelligence source confirmed Wednesday's prison escape but declined to give more details.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida branch, known locally as Ansar al- Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law), took advantage of a political upheaval in 2011 in Yemen to take over several towns of the southern restive regions.

The militants were targeted by Yemeni security authorities after a U.S.-backed offensive launched in Abyan province months ago routed the militants out of their strongholds that they had been control of for nearly a year.

The Yemeni government has beefed up anti-terror operation since Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February 2012.

from XINHUA
2013-03-07 02:06:50

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Blast rocks Herat as opposition leaders gather

HERAT CITY (PAN): A powerful explosion rocked this western city on Thursday as a planned political gathering of opposition leaders, including Ahmad Zia Massoud, had just begun, officials said.

Massoud, Haji Mohammad Muhaqiq and Faizullah Zaki were to address thousands of supporters at a stadium when the blast occurred at around 10:30am, 100 metres away from the venue and 50 metres close to the governor's house, a security official said on condition of anonymity.

The explosives had been planted on a cycle that went off as people started arriving at the meeting site. Two people sustained injuries, he said.

But Herat hospital director Dr. Mohammad Rafique said four injured people had  been brought to the hospital from the scene. "They are in a stable condition," he said.

The National Front of Afghanistan (NFA) leaders were away when the blast took place. They were expected to address the gathering.

Western zone police spokesman Abdul Rauf Ahmadi said there was a second explosion in the Guzri district, but it caused no injuries.

from Pajhwok
By Sharafuddin Stanikzai Mar 7, 2013 - 14:16

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Mar. 07., 2013. - ISAF Joint Command Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani facilitator and detained one other wounded insurgent during an operation in Sayyid Karam district, Paktiya province, today.

The facilitator is believed responsible for housing Haqqani and Taliban militants during operations, and for coordinating the movement of weapons and ammunition within insurgent groups for attacks on Afghan and coalition forces.

As the security force approached the insurgents suspected location, insurgents opened fire on the Afghan and coalition troops. After positively identifying the threat, the security force engaged the insurgents, wounding one.

As a result of the operation, the security force also seized an AK-47 assault rifle, two AK-47 magazines and a fragmentary grenade.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout
Afghanistan:

South

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban facilitation leader and detained four other insurgents during an operation in Khash Rod district, Nimroz province, today.

The facilitator is believed to be a significant link for the Taliban's logistical supply chain in the Helmand River Valley area. He is also accused of supervising the pick-up, transportation and distribution of weapons, improvised explosive devices and IED construction material to multiple insurgent groups for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

East

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and detained three other insurgents during an operation in Baraki Barak district, Logar province, today. The leader is alleged to be responsible for planning and conducting attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the district.

He is also believed to be instrumental in acquiring, transferring and selling weapons to enable insurgent operations. The security force seized a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, one grenade, one block of military-grade explosives, a mortar tube and tripod, and 20 mortar fuses as a result of the operation.

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Mar. 07., 2013. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces found and safely cleared four improvised explosive devices, killed three insurgents and detained a suspected insurgent during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, March 6.

Wardak province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared an IED during operations in the Sayyidabad district.

Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared two IED during operations in the Chak-E Wardak district.

Kapisa province
Coalition forces killed three insurgents during operations in the Tag Ab district.

Ghazni province
Afghan and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED during operations in the Andar district.

Khowst province
Afghan and coalition forces detained a suspected insurgent during operations in the Khowst district. The suspected insurgent was transferred to a base for questioning.

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Two Italian troops injured in Farah province of Afghanistan

According to reports at least two Italian troops were injured following a roadside improvised explosive device blast in western Farah province of Afghanistan.
The incident reportedly took place early Wednesday morning after a vehicle of the Italian troops struck with a roadside bomb, causing one of the armoured vehicle to overtun.

The two Italian soldiers were takne to a nearby hosptial for treatment purposes who had minor injuries in their arms. The blast took place between Bala Buluk and Shewan towns.

An Afghan interpreter accompanying the Italian troops was also injured following the attack which took place on the convoy of nine armoured Lynx vehicles with Afghan police as well as Italian troops on board.

Italian troops are frequently travelling to Shewan in order to train Afghan police forces.

Italy has deployed around 4,000 soldiers under the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force Mission in Afghanistan.

ISAF is due to hand over responsibility for security to Afghan forces by the end of 2014 and draw down its combat troops although NATO and international partners have pledged to give long-term support to Afghanistan.

from KHAAMA
By Sayed Jawad - 06 Mar 2013, 3:11 pm

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Suicide blast in residential house in Takhar province

According to local security officials in north-eastern Takhar province of Afghanistan, an Afghan kid was injured following a suicide bomb blast in this province.

The incident took place around 3pm local time after the suspected suicide bomber detonated his explosives inside a residential house.

Provincial security commandment spokesman Lal Mohammad Ahmadzai confirming the report said the incident took place in the 3rd district of Takhar city

after Afghan security forces launched an investigation to detain the suicide bomber.

Mr. Ahmadzai further added a small kid of the house owner was injured following the blast and Afghan security forces arrested the house owner in

connection to the incident.

from KHAAMA
By Sadaf Shinwari - 06 Mar 2013, 4:12 pm

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