Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Five UN Peacekeepers, 7 Staff Killed in South Sudan

(BBC graphic)
The United Nations says about 200 armed men attacked one of its convoys in South Sudan, killing five peacekeepers and seven civilians.  At least nine other people were injured, some seriously.
 

The United Nations says the five peacekeepers, who were all Indian nationals, were killed trying to protect the convoy of about 18 civilians, when they were ambushed in the eastern state of Jonglei and an intense firefight ensued.

U.N. peacekeeping spokesman Kieran Dwyer said about 30 peacekeepers were escorting the convoy which was traveling on the main road to Pibor, moving from Gurumuk to Bor.

“It is clear it was a deliberate attack against the United Nations; there were no other organizations with them," he said.

Inter-communal violence has been on the rise in Jonglei, especially between the Lou Nuer and Murle communities, who raid each other’s cattle herds.

While the United Nations says it is too soon to know who conducted the attack, South Sudan’s army spokesman Philip Aguer blamed it on insurgents led by David Yau Yau, a rebel leader fighting government forces in the area.

U.N. spokesman Dwyer said the mission in South Sudan, which has about 6,500 troops, would have to be careful about future movements while the incident is investigated.

“We are going to have to reassess the safety procedures for any movements at all, while we try to determine exactly who attacked us, why, and work with the government in South Sudan to make sure this does not happen again," he said.

The U.N. secretary-general, Ban-Ki-moon, said through a spokesman that he is “appalled” by the attack and noted that the killing of peacekeepers is a war crime that falls under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.

The Security Council also condemned the attack urging the government of South Sudan to swiftly investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.

from VOA News
by Margaret Besheer
April 09, 2013

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Taliban ambush main security check post in Nuristan province

Kamdesh District in the Nuristan Province in A...
Nuristan Province in Afghanistan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
According to reports, a group of Taliban militants attacked a security check post used by Afghan security forces in central Paron district of eastern Nuristan province.

A local security official speaking on the condition of anonymity said the incident took place around 12:00 am local time on Tuesday and continued until dawn time.

At least 2 Afghan police officers have reportedly been killed following the clashes.

Jangal military check post located in Paron district is considered to be one of the main security check posts located around 10kms away from the center of Paron in Nuristan province.

According to the security officials provincial governor Mohammad Tamim Nuristan and head of the national directorate of security (NDS) have travelled to the area.

Reports also suggest that several Taliban militants have created sanctuaries in the area and are planning to carry out a fresh attack on the security check posts.

from KHAAMA
By Sadaf Shinwari - 09 Apr 2013, 8:54 am

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NATO helicopter crash in Nangarhar province of Afghanistan

UPDATE:
Jalalabad District is located in the north-wes...
Pachir Agam District is located in the south-west of Nangarhar Province. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

ISAF Joint Command:

KABUL, Afghanistan – Two International Security Assistance Force service members died following a helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan today.

The cause of the incident is under investigation, however initial reporting indicates there was no enemy activity in the area at the time of the crash.

It is ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities.

---
According to local authorities in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan, a NATO helicopter crashed in Pechigram district on Tuesday morning.
A border police commander for the 8th Battalion, Nasim Khan confirming the report said the helicopter crashed in Gera Khel area at Pechigram distrrict.

Mr. Khan further added that Afghan police forces have been sent to the incident area and there are no reports regarding the casualties.

Taliban group claimed responsibility behind the incident and said the helicopter was shot down by Taliban fighter.

In the meantime Pichegram district governor Mirbaz Khan also confirmed the report and said the helicopter crashed on Tuesday morning around 9pm after Taliban militants opened fire on the chopper.

He said all the crews on board are feared dead following the incident.

from KHAAMA
By Sayed Jawad - 09 Apr 2013, 10:01 am

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Apr. 09., 2013. - ISAF Joint Command Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition security forces confirmed today the death of Taliban leader, Naqibullah, and several other insurgents during three operations in Sar-e Pul district, Sar-e Pul province, and Shibirghan district, Jowzjan province, Saturday.

Naqibullah had control over a cell of Taliban fighters that conducted multiple direct fire and improvised explosive device attacks targeting Afghan and coalition forces. He also had a history of collecting taxes in order to finance the Taliban terrorist network, and managed the weapons distribution chain for insurgent cells in Jowzjan province.

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Apr. 09., 2013. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces detained four suspected insurgents and found and safely cleared 16 improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, April 8.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Security Forces found and cleared one IED during operations in the Ab Band district. Afghan National Security Forces found and cleared three IEDs during operations in the Dehyak district.

Kunar province
Afghan National Security Forces found and cleared one IED during operations in the Tsowkey district.

Laghman province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared three IEDs during operations in the Mehtar Lam district.

Logar province
Afghan National Security Forces detained four suspected insurgents during operations in the Muhammad Aghah district. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared four IEDs during operations in the Muhammad Aghah district.

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

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