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Afghan forces capture northern shadow governor
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Afghanistan
Afghan forces capture northern shadow governor
Afghanistan's intelligence service has detained the Taliban's top leader for the northern province of Samangan.

The National Directorate of Security said that Mullah Gulistan, the shadow governor for Samangan province, admitted to his role in the Taliban during interrogations after his capture, Reuters reported today.

Gulistan, who is also known as Ahkundak, was captured while the Afghan National Police were checking cars at the Chawk-e-Samangan. Police discovered documents and contact information that linked him to the Taliban, according to local Afghan press reports.

The Taliban establish shadow or parallel governments in the regions they control or where the Afghan government is weak. These shadow governments fill the void by dispensing sharia justice; mediating tribal and land disputes; collecting taxes; and recruiting, arming, and training fighters.

The Taliban have established shadow governments throughout Afghanistan, with provincial and militarily leaders appointed to command activities. In January 2009, the Taliban claimed to be in control of more than 70 percent of Afghanistan's rural areas and to have established shadow governments in 31 of Afghanistan's 34 provinces.

Samangan province is relatively stable, but borders the northern provinces of Balkh, Kunduz, and Baghlan. These three provinces have a significant Taliban presence and some districts are considered to be under Taliban influence or outright control.

Posted by: tipper || 05/20/2010 13:58 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  admitted to his role in the Taliban during interrogations after his capture

Painfull Interrogations,I hope.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 05/20/2010 16:06 Comments || Top||


Coalition Forces Engage in a Firefight In Afghanistan
Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC || 05/20/2010 10:15 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Germany shifts Afghan strategy
Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC || 05/20/2010 10:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Some US troops in Afghanistan ordered to patrol with no rounds chambered
Is this another insane ROE item or what?
Commanders have reportedly ordered a U.S. military unit in Afghanistan to patrol in a manner that could handicap them.

Some soldiers are being ordered to conduct patrols without a round chambered in their weapons, The US Report has learned from an anonymous source at a forward operating base in Afghanistan. Our source was unsure if the order came from his unit or if it affected other units.

On war correspondent Michael Yon's Facebook page, commenters stated that this is a common practice in Iraq, while others said that it is occurring in Afghanistan as well. According to military protocol, "Amber" status requires weapons to have a loaded magazine, but the safety on and no round chambered.

"The idea that any combat unit would conduct any operation, including patrolling and even manning a security post -- in which direct action may-or-may not take place -- and not having weapons loaded, borders on being criminally negligent in my opinion," says Lt. Col. W. Thomas Smith Jr., a recognized expert on terrorism and military/national defense issues. "This is nothing more than infusing politically correct restrictions into already overly restrictive rules of engagement. And this PC nonsense is going to get people killed."

According to Smith, "American soldiers are highly skilled in the use of 'loaded' weapons, and so should be trusted to operate with 'loaded' weapons. If someone overseeing decisions on ROE thinks not, then ratchet up training. But don't put a man on the street and force him to go through multiple prompts when a gunfight breaks out. Remember, the situation can go from quiet to kinetic in half the time it takes to breathe."

In an ambush situation, just how long does it take to engage a target when your weapon isn't already loaded?

"Too long," states Sandy Daniel, military veteran and Deputy Director of the Victory Institute. "The first couple of seconds in an ambush are critical, and when that block of time is used to load a weapon instead of firing, you are losing the time you need to stay alive. Patrolling without a chambered round is suicide."

Smith adds, "Let's not forget the catastrophic result of not having weapons loaded on Oct. 23, 1983, when a U.S. Marine sentry barely managed to load his weapon and get off one or two hasty, ineffective shots at the speeding bomb-laden truck that crashed into the Battalion Landing Team headquarters in Beirut. The truck breached the building, the explosives were detonated, and 241 Americans perished in the largest--at that time--non-nuclear blast in history."

The ROE for our forces in Afghanistan, commonly referred to in military circles as the "Karzai 12," appear similar to the rules for the Marine Corps "peacekeeping" force operating in Lebanon 1982-1984:

1. When on the post, mobile or foot patrol, keep loaded magazine in weapon, bolt closed, weapon on safe, no round in the chamber.
2. Do not chamber a round unless told to do so by a commissioned officer unless you must act in immediate self-defense where deadly force is authorized.

Hopefully our military won't experience another preventable mass casualty incident like the 1983 Beirut Barracks bombing. But with our leaders repeating the failures of the past by not permitting our troops to carry loaded weapons, it seems we have become our own worst enemy.
Makes one wonder if we are playing to win or to show...
Posted by: CrazyFool || 05/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Glad, no, overjoyed I got out of the service before Bumbleberry came on board. Just seeing his portrait picture posted to the far right on the chain of command board at the VA makes me doubt my ability that I could have loyally contined serving with that ineffectual Titular Head at the helm. Our real President is.....who the phuck knows. Because Obama has neither guts or grit enough to stomach real war and provide actual leadership to the military, FWIW. This whole SNAFU is just ridiculous. Either lets kill more terrorists, or throw in the fucking towel already.
Posted by: GirlThursday || 05/20/2010 0:12 Comments || Top||

#2  They need to find out who's bright idea this was and get rid of him/her.
Posted by: Xenophon || 05/20/2010 0:24 Comments || Top||

#3  The elected civilians in USA, whether the president or any other stupid must never have the authority to send our brave young to fight in a foreign war with their hands tied behind, period. We must amend our constitution to make sure that our elected politicians, including the president have no legal right to dictate our armed forces once they are send to fight in a foreign war and in this situation only our armed forces can decide without the interference from our stupid politicians if they need to annihilate the enemy with a massive attack with nuclear warheads. To kiss the ass of our enemies is the job of politicians. The job of our armed forces is to win the war/conflict with any the means our nation can provide. Now think this way, your army is called in action because the politicians failed to negotiate a mutually satisfactory agreement without serious violations. Will it make any sense to let the same damned failed politicians to order your kids to die in a foreign war with their hand tied behind. Folks those kids dyeing there for our nation are yours as well as mine, the way I feel about it. They do not need to die there when they can vaporize the whole populations of enemy in a matter of seconds.
Posted by: Annon || 05/20/2010 7:13 Comments || Top||

#4  If you don't trust your in your troops, why should they trust you? And why should we trust you with the lives of our sons and daughters?
Posted by: Procopius2k || 05/20/2010 7:38 Comments || Top||

#5  For the first time in my adult life, I truly fear for my country.
Posted by: Glomock Tojo6610 || 05/20/2010 7:55 Comments || Top||

#6  He has not obtained the respect, confidence, willing obedience and loyal cooperation of the military.

A leader who has to depend upon the authority vested in the position he holds is a loser and unfit to hold the position he occupies.
Posted by: Grunt_0369 || 05/20/2010 8:20 Comments || Top||

#7  This isn't the first time this has happened in our recent history either.

The Marines in Beirut in 1983 had empty magazines.

This bullshit has been happening for decades when some pencil dicked feel good asstwat decides that it would be "stressful" for the people we are protecting to have loaded weapons.
Posted by: DarthVader || 05/20/2010 8:22 Comments || Top||

#8  Don't worry too much about us over here, we won't set the stage for mission failure on our or our buddies' behalf. Us Yanks learned a lot from the Brit's back in OIF about dealing with a fence sitting population, and they had learned it in Ireland. Sometimes it's best to take a knee, sometimes it's best to grab up the little shit and swat him on the ass right in front of his village. There are times to take off your helmet and apply a band-aid from your cargo pocket, and there are also times to destroy. Our guys out pounding sand have pretty much got this war gig figured out. It all stems on the whole "Golden Rule" thought process.

Best, Bodyguard

Mustang Ramp, Afghanistan 5/20/2011 17:45L
Posted by: Bodyguard || 05/20/2010 9:17 Comments || Top||

#9  While I think it is crazy I remind the readers of this blog that a military exists only for reaching political goals. That military operations are only the tool to reach those goals.

Yes I think that the commander in chief has every right to tie the hands of the military behind. That does not mean I approve or even trust this POTUS.
Posted by: JFM || 05/20/2010 11:00 Comments || Top||

#10  Yes, we understand Clausewitz' dictum that 'war is an extension of politics'. However, politics are not just on the field of battle in the theater of operation, but also at the homefront [which way too many professional generals choose to ignore]. The American heartland [not to be confused with coasties, academics, or Hollyweird] values its sons and daughters who choose to serve, but under the expectation that their lives won't be forfeited in a stupid manner, as they were in Beirut. Screw up playing stupid games and even the heartland will quickly turn on you and your efforts, making all the strategy and nuance for naught.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 05/20/2010 11:16 Comments || Top||

#11  Mustang Ramp, Afghanistan 5/20/2011 17:45L

Mom!! Bodyguard is posting from the future again! Make him stop!

(Srsly- what's the 'L' for? Lima timezone must be out towards Micronesia, no?)
Posted by: Free Radical || 05/20/2010 11:17 Comments || Top||

#12  #5 For the first time in my adult life, I truly fear for my country. Posted by Glomock Tojo6610

I had a similar feeling in November of 2008 Tojo and it has NOT subsided.
Posted by: Besoeker || 05/20/2010 11:24 Comments || Top||

#13  Srsly- what's the 'L' for?

Local
Posted by: ed || 05/20/2010 11:25 Comments || Top||

#14  17:45L

Lima = local time (or it used to anyway)
Posted by: Besoeker || 05/20/2010 11:26 Comments || Top||

#15  That's murder of these soldiers.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 05/20/2010 11:37 Comments || Top||

#16  B-Ker, quite correct sir. L = Local. Our time over here is 8 hours & 30 minutes ahead of you folks, at least on the East Coast. However comma space, I was in error regarding the year, which as far as I know is still 2010. Ever since early 2002, the years have kind of ran togather for me.
Posted by: Bodyguard || 05/20/2010 11:49 Comments || Top||

#17  11hr50 in D.C. at the moment and yes, while I wish it were Nov 2012, it is still only May of 2010.
Posted by: Besoeker || 05/20/2010 11:53 Comments || Top||

#18  Suppose they're trying to make it a fair fight now. If this doesn't work, I expect blindfolds for our troops out on patrol.
Posted by: DK70 the Scantily Clad7177 || 05/20/2010 13:02 Comments || Top||

#19  cops can patrol our streets with weapons at the ready but soldiers in a war zone can't? Well that's ass backwards
Posted by: chris || 05/20/2010 13:24 Comments || Top||

#20  It's lambs to the slaughter. Why even have genuine weapons, just hand out dummy toy ones. This is a troubling situation. And though Clauswitz had a point, but then he probably could never have predicted that political corectness would baloney would ever become this mainstream. I doubt Clauswitz would applaud this ROE.
Posted by: Richelieu || 05/20/2010 13:38 Comments || Top||

#21  I may take some heat for this but here goes anyway. Please don't get too mad at me because I'm trying to phrase it as a question instead of recommending a course of action for anybody.

At some point, if people lose confidence in their government, don't you begin to have problems recruiting and retaining people to serve in the military? Seems to me if that happens the next step is the draft, right? And then massive protests? I mean, I understand that if you love your country you want to defend it no matter who the POTUS is. But if the POTUS is making horrendous mistakes, if his political goals are suspect, if he is abusing his power and needlessly exposing the people who serve to danger we have a problem, don't we?
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 || 05/20/2010 14:18 Comments || Top||

#22  My understanding and take on this is that soldiers are only obliged to follow lawful orders. That said, this obviously begs a question: is ordering a soldier to conduct patrols in a war zone without rounds chambered lawful or unlawful. And if it is lawful, should it remain as such.
I am not a UCMJ expert by any means, but isn't that the essential question: is this lawful, and if it is, should it remain lawful or be dissolved. Jurisprudence seems in my book, to imply some prudence to the Juris part. Any legal knowledge is probably buried deep in a Reg somewhere, which if this crap keeps up, I may start poking around in.
Posted by: GirlThursday || 05/20/2010 14:35 Comments || Top||

#23  You still obey the chain of command.

Don;t get me wrong, the staff bastard that wrote the rule should be beaten senseless, as should the General that signed off on it.

What I hate most about this is the outright f'ing STUPIDITY of the order. Some West Point ring knocking REMF blanket folder write this? It smacks of elitism.

Only commissioned officers can change the status? Give me a damn break! So of some staff weenie in the rear with the gear can change it, but a combat experienced 1SG cannot? An experienced squad leader SGT on his 3rd combat tour cannot lead his squad and have them go red without a direct intervention of some butter bar ROTC grad whose only combat is on the XBox?

The strength of the Army and USMC combat units is in its NCOs, and this rule is a HUGE disrespectful piss on the senior enlisted and their veteran combat squad leaders.
Posted by: OldSpook || 05/20/2010 22:31 Comments || Top||

#24  What I hate is that this is going to get soldiers needlessly killed. If I was on patrol I would have rounds chambered and I would take the heat for disobeying an order. Laws, especially stupid ones, need to be broken or changed.
Posted by: GirlThursday || 05/20/2010 22:38 Comments || Top||

#25  This has to be part of some plan - and not a good plan either.

If you were in charge, and you wanted to completely destroy the U.S. Military - the people not just the equipment. To make it the most demoralized army on the planet.

What would you do different - than something like this?

Not much.

I'm not military - but even I can see that this is outright stupid.
Posted by: CrazyFool || 05/20/2010 22:55 Comments || Top||

#26  Amen CF. When a kinder gentler handling of Afghanis means crueler than cruel for us, that is just shameful and wrong. Just because someone has rank or Commission does not mean they can't be relieved of these. To all you military out there that may be on the front lines, you are in my prayers and do whatever you can to keep yourself and your squad alive on patrols. Rank can be earned back, but if you lose your life because of some kiss up policy or some unlawful order, it is permanent.
Posted by: GirlThursday || 05/20/2010 23:14 Comments || Top||


Caribbean-Latin America
Half of La Union Police Force Quits Over Police Ambush
AYPEE roundup which includes the item yesterday about the lynching in central Mexico and a busted bad guy. See the link for more.

Rewriting the lead...

Six of eleven police officers of the central Mexican town of La Union, Guerro, have quit because of organized crime violence, according to published reports.
Posted by: badanov || 05/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Mexican Cartel Bad Guys Getting into the Pirate Business
Think these bad guys are afraid of the RFC Marshal Shaposhnikov and some Russian marines?

Rewriting the lead...

Texas police authorities have issued a warning to boaters on Falcon Lake in south Texas not to go to the south side of the lake following three armed confrontations between fishermen and suspected drug cartel elements.
Posted by: badanov || 05/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Narcos

#1  “Falcon Lake is considered one of the best bass fishing lakes in the nation,” the sheriff said. “It’s a shame this is happening.” The sheriff is a master of understatement, to say the least. Any fisherman on that lake is tempting death to take him.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 05/20/2010 0:20 Comments || Top||

#2  The linked article's web page is infected with a virus. I hope nobody gets exploited.
Posted by: gromky || 05/20/2010 3:13 Comments || Top||

#3  Texas? My first thought was interception of banned chemicals:
Wednesday, authorities said about 88 tons (80 metric tons) of a precursor chemical used to make methamphetamines had been seized at the Pacific Coast seaport of Manzanillo.

The chemical ethyl phenyl acetate, also known as phenylacetic acid, can also be used in cocaine processing.The navy said the chemical was found in five shipping containers sent from China to Manzanillo.Drug traffickers have turned to phenylacetic acid since Mexico effectively banned imports of another precursor, pseudoephedrine. A similar confiscation, reported at the time as the largest single seizure of its type, was reported by authorities at the same port earlier this month.

Posted by: Lumpy Elmoluck5091 || 05/20/2010 10:17 Comments || Top||

#4  Isn't suppression of piracy one of the primary purposes of the US Navy? And isn't prevention of smuggling one of the missions of the Coast Guard?

So why are we tolerating this?
Posted by: Rob Crawford || 05/20/2010 10:23 Comments || Top||

#5  Putting a bounty on any smuggler shot by a fisherman at Falcon lake would stop this.

My fellow Texicans like to fish and they like firearms and they like a good fight...me thinks there is some synergy between these...I hope the endgame is a bunch of smugglers getting ventilated from 300 to 500 yards by fishermen with their .243 Winchesters and 4 x 20 variable scopes...more fun than antelope hunting.
Posted by: James Carville || 05/20/2010 11:51 Comments || Top||

#6  Uh, uh, CAPITANE JOSE SPARROW???

Gut nuthin.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 05/20/2010 23:55 Comments || Top||


More Mexican Mayhem
A note: The item yesterday about the secretary shot in Tamaulipas was apparently not drug or gang related. The suspect was an ex-boyfriend who is currently in police custody and who refuses to talk to police.
8 Die in Gang and Drug related shootings in northern Mexico.

Eight people died in drug and gang related violence in northern Mexican states, including a municipal police official in Juarez and a Secretary of Public Security in Tamaulipas, according to Mexican press reports.
  • A Juarez city police captain was executed Wednesday morning, according to Mexican press reports. Caesar Rodri­guez was assigned to the Benito Juarez station. Reports say he was shot around 0900 hrs this morning. Rodri­guez had been with the Juarez city police since 1998.

  • A couple was executed Tuesday night at the Nuevo Milenio park in the Revolucion district of Juarez, published news reports say. The location of the attack was near the intersection of Industrias Avenue and Maria Elena Hernandez streets.

    Claudia Quintana Rivera, 23, died while receiving treatment at
    Central Hospital. The driver of the vehicle which Rivera rode to the hospital, an unidentified man, also died at the hospital.

    CIPOL investigators say they found expended casings for AK-47, 9mm and .45 caliber weapons at the scene of the shooting.

  • Three unidentified men were shot to death in the Melchor Ocampo district of Juarez, according to published Mexican news reports.Police investigators say they found 60 expended casing for AK-47 rifles at the scene. The victims may have been violent criminals.

  • Two young men were shot dead in Monterrey late Tuesday night, according to Mexican press accounts. Luis Francisco Hernandez Chävez, 18, and Miguel "ngel Hernandez Saenz, 23, were said to be cousins. They were found on Elvira Rentería, between Laguna de Tarminos and Carlos Osuna streets in the Independecia district of Monterrey.

    Police investigators at the scene found several expended casings for a 9mm weapon. Both men were shot twice in the head.

  • An unidentified man in his 30s was found shot to death early Wednesday morning in the Alfonso Reyes district of Monterrey also known as La Risca, according to Mexican press reports. The man was found near the intersection of 12th and Niño Artillero streets with two shots in the head.

  • An unidentified teenager was found shot and run over early Wednesday morning in the San Pedro municipality of Tamaulipas, near south Monterrey. Authorities determined the teen was run over after he was shot.

  • A man found executed in south Monterrey Walmart was identified Wednesday as the Secretary of Public Security of the municipality of Allende, and was under investigation by the Tamaulipas State Attorney General's office for ties to organized crime, according to Mexican press reports. Javier Gutierrez Espircueta, 32, was hit six times by an undisclosed weapon type.

  • A Tamaulipas industrialist was kidnapped early Tuesday morning by a heavily armed band of 12 hooded men, say Mexican press reports. Delfino Javier Herrera, of 54, was taken from his home in the Del Lago district of San Nicolas de los Garza after being awakened at 0300 hrs. by a commotion near his home. Herrera ran an auto rental business in San Nicolas.

    Police say the suspects destroyed an electrical security door at the residence to get inside the home, but no one else was hurt in the assault. Police claim the abduction was not reported for eight hours after the fact, apparently because the family want to negotiate Herrera's release before reporting the crime.

    The armed gang escaped with Herrera in four cars, plus a vehicle stolen from Herrera.
Posted by: badanov || 05/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Mexico's president urges US to curb drug demand
How do you write 'dream on' in Spanish?
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 05/20/2010 12:49 Comments || Top||

#2  El Paso 2nd safest U.S. city: Ranking a contrast to violence across border
EL PASO -- A new ranking shows El Paso moved up to the second-safest large city in the nation even while a vicious drug cartel war has turned Juárez into one of the deadliest cities in the world. Last year, there were 18 homicides in El Paso. There have been 11 homicides so far this year. Last weekend, Chihuahua state police reported 31 murders in Juárez. There have been more than 2,200 deaths this year. Phil Jordan, a retired U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration official from El Paso, said the safe city label for El Paso is misleading because cartels operate on both sides of the border.

"The narcotraffickers will not kill somebody in El Paso unless they absolutely have to," Jordan said. "They will kidnap an individual, take them to Mexico, torture and kill them. There won't be an investigation and the person will simply disappear."
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 05/20/2010 16:08 Comments || Top||

#3  Well, that does clean up the stats in El Paso, doesn't it?
Posted by: lotp || 05/20/2010 18:00 Comments || Top||

#4  I heard on the radio this afternoon Mexican President Calderon demanding the US to re-instate the assault gun ban. As if the get all those AK-47's from the US.
Posted by: Deacon Blues || 05/20/2010 18:56 Comments || Top||

#5  "I heard on the radio this afternoon Mexican President Calderon demanding the US to re-instate the assault gun ban."

Dear Mr. Calderon:

Clean up your own counry and mind your own goddam business. Who the hell do you think you are, telling us what to do?

Piss off.

Cordially,

The U.S.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 05/20/2010 19:44 Comments || Top||

#6  El Paso 2nd safest U.S. city: Ranking a contrast to violence across border

El Paso is the rich gated community suburb of Juarez. Even the narc-terrorist need a safe place to park their family and mistresses. You have an entire Yankee Armor Brigade manned by combat veterans in the immediate vicinity. You don't want to draw unnecessary attention. Pancho found that out. Hard to operate a business on the run.

As for the illegals, the vast majority high tail it out of town as fast as possible to get North or East as far away from the old country as possible which contributes to a lower crime rate for the place.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 05/20/2010 19:59 Comments || Top||

#7  El Paso 2nd safest U.S. city: Ranking a contrast to violence across border

"One doesn't foul one's own nest".
Posted by: Pappy || 05/20/2010 20:59 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Army major arrested for links to NY bomb plot
WASHINGTON: An army major has been arrested in connection with the failed bombing earlier this month in New York's Times Square, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday. If the report, which quoted Pakistani law enforcement sources, is confirmed, it would the first time someone in Pakistan's military establishment implicated in the botched car bombing plot.
48 hour rule applies ...
The Washington Post said the extent of the major's alleged involvement remained unclear, but that unnamed law enforcement sources told the paper he had met chief suspect Faisal Shahzad in Islamabad and had cell phone contact with him.

According to the newspaper a second suspect being held by the Pakistani authorities acted as a liaison between Shahzad and the Pakistani Taliban – blamed by the US for being behind the attempted Times Square attack.

Pakistani law enforcement sources told the paper Shahzad met the suspect three times last summer and at one meeting gave him an undisclosed sum of money for the attempted bombings.
Posted by: Steve White || 05/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Jeez. Give us a hint in the headline; which army?
After Hasan....
Posted by: Richard Aubrey || 05/20/2010 8:01 Comments || Top||

#2  Pakistan's army.
Posted by: Lumpy Elmoluck5091 || 05/20/2010 10:13 Comments || Top||

#3  Lumpy.
I got that. After I read the piece. I'm talking about the headline.
After Hasan....
Posted by: Richard Aubrey || 05/20/2010 15:57 Comments || Top||

#4  The headline is definitely misleading. I also thought, "Oh shit, another one?".
Posted by: Thor Speregum1049 || 05/20/2010 21:35 Comments || Top||


Key TTP commander captured
BARA: Security forces Wednesday arrested Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan's (TTP) key commander Swat Khan, son of Zar Mohammad, according to official sources.
Another number three!
It's the job of the Number Three to be captured/killed, allowing the trainees below and the leaders above to continue with their activities. Given that, I'm not sure why anyone accepts the executive bathroom key.
Political administration sources told Daily Times that security forces "after receiving information, sealed routes in Tehsil Jamrud". Security forces arrested Khan from Lalakand, and have shifted him to an "unknown location" for interrogation. The forces also recovered arms from Khan' possession.
Posted by: Steve White || 05/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


21 dead in Karachi target killings
KARACHI/LAHORE: At least 21 people have been killed and 25 injured in fresh incidents of target killings in Karachi during the last 24 hours, a private TV channel reported on Wednesday. According to the channel, tension and fear have gripped the city, as shops remained closed and three vehicles were torched after the killings.

The shootings took place in Shah Faisal Colony, Nagin Chowrangi, Saddar, Golden Town, Nazimabad, Dhoraji Colony, Dastagir, Korangi, Malir, Quaidabad, Qalandria and other areas. Out of the people killed, six were Pakhtuns, two Urdu-speaking citizens, two Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi workers, two Punjabis, two Awami National Party (ANP) activists and one an activist of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

In one of the incidents, unidentified men opened fire at a shop selling mobile phones in Shah Faisal Colony, killing a man and injuring a child, the channel reported. In the same area, unidentified gunmen shot and killed one Muhammad Hanif and injured two others.

Another incident occurred in Sector 11 of Nagin Chowrangi, where motorcyclists shot and killed Abdul Karim. Later, a man was shot and killed outside the emergency section of the Civil Hospital Karachi, while another was shot in Dastagir locality. Several men also killed a man in Korangi 6, while another was murdered in the Malir area.

Later at night, two more people were gunned down in Qalandria and Quaidabad areas, the channel reported, citing a police statement. Police have filed first information reports on the target killings against unidentified persons and have started investigations, while an extra contingent of police and rangers has been deployed in sensitive areas.

Separately, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Governor Ishratul Ibad Khan held a meeting at the Governor's House and discussed the target killings in the city and several other issues.

ANP leader Zahid Khan said his workers had been among those killed during the last 24 hours, adding that his party workers fell ‘prey to such targeted killings' whenever the party pressed the rulers to fulfil their demands.

Separately, the MQM condemned the killings in the city and accused the local leadership of the ANP for politicising the issue for its own vested interests. “It could be an attempt on the part of the ANP to divert attention from the activities of the Hazara community in the city against renaming of the NWFP as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,' said MQM Coordination Committee member Wasim Aftab.
Posted by: Steve White || 05/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Four soldiers, 60 Taliban killed in Orakzai clash
HANGU: At least 60 Taliban and four soldiers were killed in cashes between the Taliban and security forces, military sources said on Wednesday.

More than 200 Taliban attacked a security post in Dabori area of Orakzai Agency on Wednesday, in which four soldiers were killed and 20 injured. The attack triggered a clash between the Taliban and security personnel, in which at least 60 Taliban were killed and 70 others injured, military sources said.
Pray for sepsis ...
The sources said that the Taliban first launched rocket propelled grenades at the security forces check-post and then opened gunfire, adding that the forces quickly responded and repulsed the attack after a fierce battle, which lasted for around three hours.

Also on Wednesday, jet fighters bombed Taliban hideouts in Dabori area, killing five Taliban and injuring several others. Three Taliban hideouts were also destroyed in the airstrikes.

Over 700 terrorists have been killed during the past two months in the military operation against the Taliban in the Tribal Areas, official sources said. The military had increased its attacks in Orakzai and Khyber in recent weeks after largely clearing Taliban strongholds in other areas.
Posted by: Steve White || 05/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Iraq
Turkey bombs Kurdish rebel targets in Iraq
Turkish warplanes on Thursday bombed dozens of Kurdish rebel targets in neighbouring northern Iraq, in one of the biggest raids in recent years, media reports and the insurgents said.

About 20 fighter jets took part in the operation that targeted positions of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the Zap-Khakurk region of the Kurdish-held autonomous north of Iraq, the NTV news channel reported.

Nearly 50 targets were hit in day-long missions carried out mainly on intelligence passed on by the United States, it said.

The Anatolia news agency reported that the strikes were ordered after a group of PKK rebels were detected on their way towards the Turkish border from their mountainous hideouts in northern Iraq.

NTV said the operation, the second this month, was believed to be a success although there was no immediate confirmation of possible losses to the rebels.

The PKK confirmed there had been a number of airstrikes but gave few details.

"Turkish warplanes bombed PKK positions... in the region of Khwar Korak" over a period of about one hour, rebel spokesman Ahmed Denis told AFP, without giving details of deaths or injuries.

The pro-Kurdish Firat news agency said separately that Turkish aircraft carried out two raids near the village of Sideka, one in the early afternoon and the other at the end of the day, adding that there were no casualties.

There was no immediate statement from the army on the raid.
Posted by: tipper || 05/20/2010 17:15 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


16 killed, wounded in 2 simultaneous explosions in Babel
BABEL / Aswat al-Iraq: At least six people were killed and ten others were wounded in two simultaneous explosions in north of Babel on Wednesday, a police source said.

“The first blast took blast near a restaurant in central al-Askandariya district, north of Babel, while the second explosion occurred five minutes later near the first scene,' the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. He gave no more details.

Hilla, the capital of Babel, lies 100 km south of Baghdad.
Posted by: Steve White || 05/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


U.S. base in Salah el-Din mortared
SALAH AL-DIN / Aswat al-Iraq: Five mortar shells have fallen on a U.S. base in Salah al-Din, but no casualties have been reported, a local police source said on Wednesday.

“Five mortar shells landed on the U.S. Camp Anaconda in Yathrib district, southern Tikrit, on Wednesday (May 19),' the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. There has been no word on damage or casualties, the source pointed out.

Tikrit, the capital city of Salah al-Din province, lies 175km north of Baghdad.
Posted by: Steve White || 05/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Once again R-Burgers, the firefinder found em, plotted the POO (Point of Origin), sounded the Giant Voice. Soldiers did what they need to do, (Kitted and Bunkered up) and I'm sure Counter-battery was on it's way before the last round fell. Mortarmen normally have a huge set of Stones when incoming rounds are falling around them. Like a hive of Bees, they have a thing about protecting their home.
Posted by: Bodyguard || 05/20/2010 2:32 Comments || Top||

#2  Actually, The mortar crews will often swing into action before even gearing up, in whatever uniform they just so happen to be in. Flip Flops anyone?
Posted by: Bodyguard || 05/20/2010 2:43 Comments || Top||

#3  Flip Flops anyone?

I saw the photo. A clear workplace safety issue, that. ;-)
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/20/2010 10:48 Comments || Top||

#4  Don't tell the White House - they'll use that as an excuse to further limit the conditions under which soldiers are allowed to respond to incoming.
Posted by: lotp || 05/20/2010 18:11 Comments || Top||


SWAT kill 5 al-Qaeda elements in Diala
DIALA / Aswat al-Iraq: Five al-Qaeda elements were killed and two more were arrested on Wednesday in clashes flared up with SWAT forces in southeast of Baaquba, according to a security source.

"Armed clashes erupted on Wednesday evening (May 19) between SWAT forces and al-Qaeda gunmen inside al-Dayniya village in Baladruz district, southeast of Baaquba ," the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

"The three-hour clashes left five gunmen killed and two more arrested, including al-Qaeda leader in the village, Karim Hussein Muftah," he added. "Seven SWAT forces were wounded in the clashes," he said.

"The forces seized three explosive belts and a weapons cache," the source noted.

Baaquba, the capital of Diala, is 57 km northeast of Baghdad.
Posted by: Steve White || 05/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Southeast Asia
3 villagers, 2 terrorists gunned down in southern Thailand
Five people have been shot dead in Thailand's troubled south, including three villagers and two Islamic terrorists militants hit in gunbattles with authorities, police said on Thursday.

In Yala province terrorists suspected insurgents killed a 46-year-old Muslim man in a drive-by shooting on Wednesday before setting him and his motorcycle alight. In the same district a Buddhist woman was shot dead in her grocery shop.

Early on Thursday, two Islamic terrorists militants were shot and killed in an hour-long clash with security officials in Narathiwat province. Later in the same province, a 56-year-old Muslim man was shot dead in another drive-by shooting by terrorists militants, police said.
Posted by: ryuge || 05/20/2010 14:46 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Good morning
Posted by: Steve White || 05/20/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Happy Birthday/Daily Gam Shot

Constance Towers aka Miss Hannah Hunter of Greenbriar in "The Horse Soldiers" (age 77)

Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC || 05/20/2010 0:24 Comments || Top||

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Posted by: lswlehzjqs || 05/20/2010 23:56 Comments || Top||



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Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has dominated Mexico for six years.
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Two weeks of WOT
Thu 2010-05-20
  Afghan forces capture northern shadow governor
Wed 2010-05-19
  Yemen court sentences six Somali pirates to death
Tue 2010-05-18
  Detained militant in Iraq details World Cup plot
Mon 2010-05-17
  Somali fighting kills 24, chaos in parliament
Sun 2010-05-16
  Qaeda in Iraq 'names replacements for slain leaders'
Sat 2010-05-15
  Woman in a veil knifed British MP in the gut
Fri 2010-05-14
  Iraqi and Iranian soldiers trade fire on border
Thu 2010-05-13
  5 killed in Jakarta anti-terror raids
Wed 2010-05-12
  French parliament unanimously bans burka
Tue 2010-05-11
  Russers: Captured Somali pirates ''dead''
Mon 2010-05-10
  At least 99 killed in attacks across Iraq
Sun 2010-05-09
  'Pakistan Taliban' behind Times Square bomb plot
Sat 2010-05-08
  Uighur big turban reported titzup in Pak
Fri 2010-05-07
  Mullah Atiqullah captured in Afghanistan
Thu 2010-05-06
  Death sentence for Kasab

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