War On Terror News

Bullets/Bombs Blast Baghdad

Gun, Bomb Attacks in Baghdad Kill 1 Person, Wound 6

VoA News: Iraqi authorities say a series of attacks in the capital, Baghdad, has killed one government employee and wounded at least six other people.

In one of Monday’s incidents, officials say gunmen using silenced weapons killed an Iraqi Electricity Ministry engineer as he was driving his car in western Baghdad.

Four bombs also exploded in several parts of the city, wounding at least six people, including a police official.

Insurgents in Iraq frequently target civil servants to try to destabilize the government

Protests Destroying Egyptian Economy, dragging down World Economies

Egypt's Unrest Hurts Economy

VOA News: The economic impact of Egypt's political unrest is being felt around the world, as worried investors are driving down the price of stocks and bidding up the cost of oil.

Egypt's stock market and banks remain closed for a second business day. So far, the unrest has not affected Egypt's Suez Canal, which is a key route for oil and other goods around the world.

But the nation's tourist industry, which provides one out of eight jobs in Egypt, is seeing thousands of customers flee the country while other potential visitors are canceling trips. Some airlines have cancelled flights, while some governments are organizing charter flights to get their citizens out of Egypt.  

Iran to Showcase Next Step in Missiles

Iran to Unveil New Rockets, Satellites

VoA News: Iran says it will unveil a range of new rockets and satellites as part of national celebrations of the 32nd anniversary of its Islamic Revolution. The observances begin this week.

Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said Sunday the presentation of Iran's latest space technology will include two rockets, the Safir 1-B and Kavoshgar 4 , and two satellites, the Rasad and Fajr .

Vahidi says the Safir 1-B rocket is capable of carrying a satellite weighing 50 kilograms into an elliptical orbit of 300 to 450 kilometers.

Viet Nam Veteran Helo Pilot Arrested for Fireworks near Mosque

This Ain't Hell has picked up this juicy tidbit:

"Vietnam-era helicopter pilot was arrested in Dearborn, MI yesterday for plotting to illuminating the night sky over a mosque there. It’s funny how the media describes the plot in their headlines. The Chicago Tribune says 63-year-old Roger Stockham was arrested with explosives..."

Yeah, it's true that fireworks contain small amounts of "explosive material," packaged so that users have a difficult (but possible) chance of hurting even themselves if they misuse the fireworks in a grossly negligent manner.  Fireworks are not an efficient means of attaining explosive material.  They have a very small amount of black powder wrapped tightly in paper to cause more bang than damage. 

Additionally, it appears Stockholm may even be a Muslim convert.  Dearborn, MI has the largest concentration of Arabs outside of the Middle East.

Warriors Raise $6.3k in 13.1 Miles

Troops hit the road for Bastion Half Marathon
by Sgt. Jeremy Ross RC-SW

JOINT OPERATING BASE BASTION, Afghanistan – More than four hundred and twenty troops and military-employed civilians from more than four countries hit the very dusty trail here for the Bastion Half Marathon, Jan. 29.

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Joe Galvin, 38, of Grand Rapids, Mich., placed first in the men’s race with a time of 1 hour, 21 minutes, while Lance Cpl. Laura Magness, 22, of Birmingham, West Midlands, took home the women’s title in 1:46.

RIP PFC Marcin Pastusiak, Medic Marcin Knap

 

Medic Marcin Knap, Civilian of Lubelskie, Lublin, Poland, and PFC Marcin Pastusiak, Lodzkie, Lodz, Poland, died 01/22/11 of wounds when their element was attacked with an IED in Ghazni, Ghazni Province Afghanistan, WSPR, Polish  

"He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.”  (W.Shakespeare)  Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.

31 Jan 2011 Moments of Silence #MoS #HonorTheFallen 1PM- 1:06 EST

"He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother”. Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare)

REQUEST that all afford my Brothers a Moment of Silence each on Monday beginning 1:00 PM, Eastern Time.  REQUEST that each Moment of Silence be dedicated each Monday to my Fallen Brothers in order of notification since prior Monday.  1PM Eastern is Kabul 22:30/10:30PM, Baghdad 20:00/8PM, London 18:00/6PM, San Diego 10AM.  This time accommodates those in London, Baghdad & Kabul as well as Congress and across the United States.

• #MoS #MilitaryMon 1PM to 1:02 EDT: PFC #Bowe Bergdahl, Kidnapped by Taliban, Two Minutes until he comes home #MIA #SOT #MoS
• #MoS #MilitaryMon 1:02-1:03 EDT: TSgt Leslie D Williams, Juneau, AK, 01/25/11 Bagram AF, AFG 4th Maint Grp 
• #MoS #MilitaryMon 1:03-1:04 EDT: PVT Martin SG Bell, Bradford, GB 01/25/11, Helmand AFG, 2nd BN Paras UK
• #MoS #MilitaryMon 1:04-1:05 EDT: Medic Marcin Knap, Lubelskie, Lublin 01/22/11 Ghazni AFG, WSPR, Polish  
• #MoS #MilitaryMon 1:05-1:06 EDT: PFC Marcin Pastusiak, Lodzkie, Lodz 01/22/11 Ghazni AFG, Military Police, Polish Army 

 

SF Lead Medical Clinic at Bagram

Coalition doctors treat more than 200 Afghan citizens

ISAF: KABUL, Afghanistan – Special Operations Task Force – East medical personnel participated in a multi-national free clinic for Afghans at the Korean Hospital on Bagram Air Field, Jan. 29.

More than 200 local men, women and children were treated by doctors from Afghanistan, Korea, United Arab Emirates and the U.S. Army’s 404th Civil Affairs Battalion and Special Operations Task Force – East.

2/9 Marines Complete Mission in Marjah

2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment leaves Northern Marjah a safer place
  by Lance Cpl. Andrew Johnston RCT-1

MARJAH, Afghanistan - Nearly one year ago, Marjah was the scene of some of the deadliest fighting since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom. Now, after the persistence of 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, the area is lauded as proof that counterinsurgency operations can work.

Gen. James Amos, the commandant of the Marine Corps, visited 2/9 in December and compared the battalion’s success to the victories in Fallujah and Ramadi.

Duke Picks Up Where 101st Finished

TF Rakkasan transfers authority to TF Duke
by Staff Sgt. Ben Navratil 1st ID

KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan – A transfer of authority ceremony, in which the command of Khowst and Paktya provinces was formally handed over from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, was held on Forward Operating Base Salerno in Khowst province, Afghanistan, Jan. 30.

The 3/101 BCT, or “Rakkasans,” also ceremoniously cased their colors in preparation of their trip back to their home base in Fort Campbell, Ky., while the Fort Knox, Ky. – based 3/1 IBCT, or “Task Force Duke,” uncased their own.

The Tide of Tyranny is Rising

Lacking US leadership, the world is devolving into turmoil.  The is an old saying that I'll butcher but goes something like: "When a butterfly flaps its wings in asia, Florida feels a hurricane."  It is designed to demonstrate figuratively that small events around the world have seemingly unconnected but serious effects globally. 

When the US economy took a downturn, it wasn't an isolated event, but the impact of a global economic downturn.  Political slogans blamed the President, but the reality is the recession had been staved off for years, despite international unemployment rates in 2004 that were higher than the US has seen in years.

The Democracy Tide peaked in 2009 when hundreds of thousands of Persians peacefully risked death to protest the tyranny of Iranian Islamism, in the wake of a patently fraudulent election there.  Iran had to recall its Hamas thugs in order to put it down, violently, protests that even the Iranian Revolutionary Guard would not stop.  Democracy had seen 8 years of American leadership willing to protect the will of the people and to stand up against tyranny.  In 2009, there was not even a weak condemnation of the brutal tyrannical violence against peaceful protesters.

The tide has turned against democracy and for communists and islamists, for tyranny.

War In Afghanistan News 31 Jan 2010

Daykundi residents have finally repaired the mosque destroyed by the enemy in November.

Three Talib were captured in Nimroz, including their leader.

Tailor the way you get you War In Afghanistan News

ISAF details follow

Protests Spring Up in India

Thousands Protest Against Corruption in India

VoA News: Thousands of people have rallied in the streets of India's capital, New Delhi, to protest alleged widespread government corruption.

About 5,000 gathered Sunday in central New Delhi to show their anger at a series of high-profile scandals that have hit the administration of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Some protesters carried placards and shouted slogans.

One of the most prominent cases to impact the central government is a telecommunications scandal that may have cost the government as much as $40 billion, forced Telecommunications Minister Andimuthu Raja to resign, and paralyzed parliament's December session.

India's image also was damaged by allegations of widespread corruption related to the 2010 Commonwealth Games in October, while leaders of Mr. Singh's ruling Congress party also have been accused of taking prime property in India's financial capital, Mumbai.

NATO Tankers Attacked in Pakistan

3 NATO Tankers Attacked in SW Pakistan

VoA News: Police in southwestern Pakistan say unidentified gunmen attacked three NATO tankers delivering supplies to U.S. and NATO forces in neighboring Afghanistan.

Local authorities say the incident took place Sunday near the town of Wadh in the restive Baluchistan province.

They say the attackers set two of the tankers on fire and overturned the third. No casualties were reported in the ambush and the assailants managed to escape.

NATO tankers are frequently the target of arson attacks blamed on insurgents attempting to disrupt key supply lines to troops fighting in Afghanistan.

The U.S. has begun using alternate routes through Central Asia because of the security concerns in Pakistan

Tunisian Islamist Returns in Aftermath

Leading Tunsian Islamist Returns from Exile

VoA News: Leading Tunisian Islamist Rashid Ghannouchi has returned to Tunis from 22 years in exile.

Thousands of people turned out at the airport to greet him on his arrival from London.

His return is another visible symbol of the change that has swept Tunisia since President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali was ousted by popular protests earlier this month.

Ghannouchi's return has fanned fears that he will weaken the secular system enforced in Tunisia since its independence from France in 1956. But in his first interview after returning to Tunisia, Ghannouchi told the Associated Press that Western media have tried to portray him like “Khomeini, but that's not me.”

Ghannouchi is the head of Tunisia's main Islamist movement Ennahda, which was banned by President Ben Ali after 1989 elections in which Ennahda officially won 17 percent of the vote, second only to the ruling party.

The ousted president had branded Ennahda an extremist group. Experts on Islamic movements say the group's ideology is more moderate than that of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.

Iraq Stands up 9th Armored Div w/M1A1's

Iraqi Army drives into future with M1A1 Abrams tanks
by Sgt. Chad Menegay 196th MPAD

BAGHDAD — Soldiers with Company C, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division-Center, worked with Iraqi Army 9th Armored Division soldiers during M1A1 Abrams tank drivers training Jan. 15-16 at Camp Taji, Iraq.

“We focus on driving M1A1s to drive Iraq forward into the future and for the betterment of the people of Iraq,” said Iraq Army Jundi Anwar Hakim Khidher Al-Janabi, a tank commander with the 9th Armd. Div., out of Camp Taji.

US SeaBees, Thai Army Build School

US Navy Seabees, Thai Army build bonds, new school building
By: Lance Cpl. Kris B. Daberkoe III MEF

TAK PROVINCE, Thailand – Navy Seabees and Thai Army engineers are constructing a new school building at Pa Ka Mai School to improve the quality of life of residents in the area as part of Exercise Cobra Gold 2011 Jan. 18 though Feb. 20, 2011.

The schoolhouse construction is part of a series of humanitarian civic assistance projects that include medical, dental, veterinary and engineering projects in remote locations throughout the kingdom. Thailand, Indonesian and U.S. service members are working on these projects to help strengthen the bonds between local Thai communities and the Thailand, Indonesia and U.S. armed forces.

“It’s a great honor to be … working with the American and Thai militaries,” said Sgt. Maj. Haskani, the lead engineer with the Indonesian Marine Corps engineer detachment supporting Cobra Gold 2011.

S.Sudan Celebrates 98.8% Vote to Secede

South Sudan Celebrates as Referendum Results Confirmed

VoA News: Celebrations erupted in southern Sudan's capital on Sunday, as officials confirmed the region's voters have chosen to split from the north.

The Southern Sudan Referendum Commission said 98.8 percent of voters favored separation in this month's landmark referendum. It said only 16,000 people out of 3.8 million voted to keep Sudan unified.

Earlier, partial results had made the outcome clear but Sunday marked the first time the complete tally was announced.

Islamists Rally Blaphemy Protests

Pakistanis Rally in Support of Blasphemy Law

VoA News: Witnesses in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore say several thousand people have joined a rally in support of a blasphemy law that critics say is used to harass the country's religious minorities.

A coalition of Pakistani Islamist parties organized Sunday's protest as part of a nationwide campaign to oppose calls by some politicians for changes to the blasphemy law. The rally also drew supporters of non-Islamist parties, including those of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and former Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan.

Pakistan's blasphemy law drew international attention last November when a Pakistani court used it to sentence a Christian woman, Aasia Bibi, to death for insulting Islam. The governor of Pakistan's Punjab province, Salman Taseer, led a campaign to amend the law but he was assassinated earlier this month.

Governments Send Planes, Egypt Protects Road to Airport for Evacuations

Governments Send Planes to Egypt to Evacuate Citizens

VoA News: Several governments say they are making arrangements to evacuate foreign citizens from Egypt as anti-government protests raged in that nation for a sixth day.

Washington urged U.S. citizens Sunday to avoid travel to Egypt due to “ongoing social and political unrest” and offered to arrange flights to Europe for those who want to leave the country. The U.S. State Department also authorized the voluntary departure of family members of U.S. diplomats and non-emergency embassy personnel.

Other nations sent planes to Egypt Sunday to evacuate foreign citizens who wish to leave. Those nations include Azerbaijan, India, Iraq, Japan and Turkey.

Diver Solves Mystery of Gitmo Bay Aircraft

What Lies Beneath
by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel GITMO

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - Like many who fall under the strong magic of Guantanamo Bay scuba diving, Chris Hileman had heard the rumors of a plane submerged somewhere in the water. A master diver, Hileman volunteered to help on a deep dive class when he learned the wreckage was the ultimate destination. From that fateful dive, a mystery worthy of Sherlock Holmes began to unfold – how did this piece of aviation history end up on the bottom of Guantanamo Bay?

Israeli Sentenced 9 Years for Hezbollah Spying

Israeli Arab Gets 9 Years for Spying

VoA News: An Israeli court has sentenced an Arab-Israeli activist to nine years in prison after he pleaded guilty to spying for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Amir Makhoul was convicted on espionage charges by the Haifa district court last October.

According to court documents, Makhoul sent information about Israeli military facilities to Hezbollah through his computer.

He pleaded guilty to espionage as part of a plea bargain in which prosecutors dropped more serious charges that carried a longer sentence. The Haifa court sentenced him on Sunday.

Makhoul was director of Ittijah, a group that fights discrimination against Arabs in Israel. The country's 1.3 million Arabs make up about 20 percent of Israel's population.

Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah fought a month-long war in 2006.

Pirates to be Tried in Korea

Somali Pirates Arrive in South Korea

VoA News: Officials in Seoul say five suspected Somali pirates captured during a raid on a hijacked cargo ship in the Arabian Sea have arrived in South Korea for possible trial.

The South Korean coast guard said the five arrived in the southeastern city of Busan Sunday and were immediately put in a detention center for questioning. The five face possible life in prison.  The men were captured when South Korean commandos raided the Samho Jewelry earlier this month, a week after pirates seized the ship and its 21 crew members.

Eight of the pirates were killed and the captain was shot in the stomach. He remains in critical condition.  After surgery in Dubai, the captain returned to South Korea Saturday for more treatment.  None of the other crew members were harmed. They and their ship are headed for Oman.

Rescue Team Revels in Lack of Work

CFR gets fired-up for TRT training
by Sgt. Derek Carlson 3rd MAW

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Sometimes, the hardest line of work is the one where not doing your job is a good thing.

For the Tactical Recovery Team with the Crash, Fire and Rescue section of the Marine Wing Support Squadron 373, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), nothing could be closer to the truth.

These Marines are trained as first-responders to countless urgent scenarios involving disabled aircraft or vehicles. Whether it is the result of an improvised explosive device, mechanical failure or any one of the countless mishaps, which are possible across the battlespace, these Marines have what it takes to rescue coalition personnel in distress.

Wardak to Get New ANP Training Center

Afghan police training center on track for future success in Afghanistan

I SAF: KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan National Police leaders are taking steps toward maintaining long-term security in Afghanistan. An Afghan police training center is currently under construction in Sayed Abad District, Wardak province.

The center is scheduled to open in late 2011. Contractors are constructing the project as the top-of-the-line facility, using all available amenities and materials.

U.S. Army Master Sgt. John Bali, construction representative, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Forward Operating Base Airborne, is overseeing the construction. A Fostoria, Ohio, native, Bali likes what he sees regarding what the Afghan police are procuring to train their new patrolmen.

1-8 Marines Build Trust in Musa Qaleh

Marines help Afghans build brighter future

ISAF: KABUL, Afghanistan – In their fight against the Taliban, the Afghan government, alongside 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 2, have made an effort to win the people’s support by providing employment and skills-based education while improving the quality of life in Musa Qal’ah.

Part of that is the construction of public works and improvement projects throughout Musa Qal’ah. This includes building playgrounds, schools, wells and improving of roads, water canals and the local bazaar.

Ghazni Begins Planning for Post Snow Water

Ghazni governor hosts agriculture shura

ISAF: KABUL, Afghanistan – More than 70 people gathered for an agriculture shura hosted by Ghazni Gov. Musa Khan at his provincial compound in Ghazni City Jan 27.

The shura was the first one conducted in the province and was designed to build on the momentum from the November 2010 National Agriculture Shura to bring focus of key agricultural issues to the provincial and district level, according to Task Force White Eagle representatives.

SF Oversee Opening of School Where None is Remembered

School opens in Afghan district, first in 15 years

ISAF: KABUL, Afghanistan – Nearly 20 children attended their first day of classes Jan. 26 at a newly-opened school in Ma‘ruf District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan.

There have been no schools in Ma‘ruf for many years, said the school's teacher, who asked for his name to be withheld.

"Ma‘ruf is a very distant and ancient place," he said. "I was told growing up that there was once a very distinguished place of learning here, many years ago. I can tell you for sure that there have been no schools since the Taliban closed them nearly 15 years ago."

War In Afghanistan News 30 Jan 2011

The enemy continued killing civilians, 5 yesterday, including a Deputy Governor.

Our Troops kept on killing the bad guys, 8 in today's War In Afghanistan News.  Others were able to run away.

And they kept capturing explosives and munitions. 
ISAF Details follow.

Tailor the way you get your War In Afghanistan News

Another Drug Catapult Seized in Mexico

Mexico Seizes Drug Catapults on US Border

VOA News: Mexican authorities have found another medieval-style catapult that drug traffickers are using to fling their goods into the United States.

Mexican security forces discovered a catapult Thursday in Agua Prieta, a border town near Douglas, Arizona.

Last week Mexican authorities seized a drug catapult in Naco, near Tucson, Arizona.

Two Killed in Nigerian College Protests

VoA News Officials in Nigeria say solders have opened fire on university students in the central city of Jos in a new round of violence that also saw churches and mosques set on fire.

Witnesses say soldiers fired at the students as they marched toward the troops Friday, upset over the deaths of fellow classmates in recent Christian-Muslim violence.

A student leader told the Associated Press that two students died in the violence — one stabbed by a rioter and another shot dead. Military officials say they had no information about any deaths in the shootout.

Protesters Vandalize Egyptian Mummies

Vandals Hit Cairo Museum

VoA News: Egypt's chief of antiquities says vandals have broken into Cairo's Egyptian Museum and damaged several artifacts and two mummies.

Zahi Hawaas said Saturday the vandals did not steal anything and the famed museum is now being guarded by military commandos.

The Egyptian Museum is home to the world's biggest collection of Pharaonic antiquities, including the gold mask of King Tutankhamun that draws millions of tourists a year. Hawaas said the King Tutankhamun exhibit has not been damaged and is safe.

The museum is near some of the most intense anti-government protests sweeping the capital. It is next door to the ruling NDP party headquarters that was set on fire Friday.

Iran Hangs Dutch Protester on "Drug" Charges

Iran Hangs Iranian-Dutch Woman for Drug Smuggling

VoA News: Iran Saturday hanged an Iranian-Dutch woman who was convicted of smuggling cocaine into the country, prompting the Netherlands to freeze all diplomatic contacts with Tehran.

Zahra Bahrami had been jailed since December 2009 for taking part in anti-government protests after the disputed elections.

Reuters news agency says Bahrami's daughter told a human rights group the drug charges were concocted after she was arrested for taking part in the demonstrations.

The Dutch Foreign Ministry warned Dutch citizens of Iranian descent against traveling to Iran.

Iran does not recognize dual citizenships, such as the one Bahrami had.

RIP Private Martin Simon George Bell

 

Private Martin Simon George Bell from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment was killed by an IED explosion in the Nahr-e-Saraj District of Helmand Province on Tuesday 25 January 2011.

 

 

• Private Martin Simon George Bell, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, aged 24  from Bradford

He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.”  (W.Shakespeare)  Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.

Russia Identifies Terrorist as Coming from Islamist Region

Russia Identifies Bomber as 20-Year-old Caucasus man

VOA News: Russian investigators say the suicide bomber who killed 35 people at Moscow's busiest airport was a 20-year-old man from the volatile southern Caucasus region.

In a statement Saturday, Russia's investigative committee says it will not identify the man by name because a search is continuing for the masterminds behind Monday's bomb attack at Domodedovo airport. Some 120 people were hospitalized as a result of the explosion.

The state-run Ria Novosti news agency said Thursday that investigators have a list of 10 possible suspects who may have been involved in the fatal attack.

Economic Effects Extend Downward from Egypt

Egyptian Turmoil Generates Wide Economic Effect

VoA News: The widespread Egyptian street protests against President Hosni Mubarak are having an immediate impact on the country’s economy as well as worrying investors around the world.

On Saturday, some travel agencies postponed departures for Egypt, where tourism accounts for 5 percent of the country’s economy. In addition, a wide group of governments, including the United States, Japan and several in Europe advised their citizens against traveling to Egypt because of the uncertainty in the capital, Cairo, and elsewhere.

Egypt's New Vice-President

Egypt’s New VP a Prominent Figure in Intelligence, Diplomacy

VoA News: Egypt's new vice president, Omar Suleiman, has been a prominent figure in the country for years, serving as the nation's intelligence chief since 1993 and overseeing some of Egypt's most sensitive foreign policy issues.

Suleiman is a close confidant of President Hosni Mubarak and the first person the president has named to serve as his deputy since taking office 30 years ago.

Mr. Mubarak himself was vice president before taking over after the assassination of his predecessor Anwar Sadat.

Suleiman has earned international respect for his role as a mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and for work to curb Islamic extremism. In 2009, Foreign Policy magazine ranked him as one the most powerful intelligence chiefs in the Middle East.

Like Mr. Mubarak, Suleiman and Egypt's newly-appointed Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq have military backgrounds. Mr. Shafiq is a former air force commander and the outgoing civil aviation minister. Suleiman is an army lieutenant general.

State Dept Finally Calls for Release of Diplomat Illegally Held by Pakistan

US Calls for Immediate Release of Diplomat in Pakistan

VoA News: The U.S. has demanded the immediate release of an American diplomat arrested in the shooting death of two Pakistani men.

The U.S. said Saturday that Raymond Davis, as a diplomat, has immunity from prosecution and was illegally detained in Lahore.

U.S. officials had not previously identified Davis or clarified his diplomatic status. An embassy news release from Islamabad Friday did not mention Davis's name, describing him only as a “staff member” of the U.S. consulate.

Davis appeared in court in Pakistan Friday on double murder charges, a day after he shot and killed the two Pakistanis in what he says was self-defense.

Suicidal Islamist Assassinates Kandahar DepGov

Suicide Bomber Kills Kandahar Deputy Governor

VoA News: Afghan officials say a suicide bomber has killed the deputy governor of the southern Kandahar province and wounded five people.  Authorities say the bomber, who was on a motorcycle, attacked the car of Abdul Latif Ashna Saturday as he was on his way to work in the provincial capital, Kandahar city.

The French news agency reports the Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.  Kandahar is considered the spiritual home of the Taliban.

On Friday, a suicide bomber killed nine people at a Kabul supermarket frequented by foreigners.  The Taliban also claimed responsibility for that attack in the nation's capital.

Islamists Explode Tunnel Murder 4 Paki Muslims

Four Killed by Bomb in NW Pakistan Tunnel

VoA News: Pakistani officials say at least four people were killed and 19 wounded in northwest Pakistan when bombers attacked in a busy tunnel.

The officials said a truck packed with explosives blasted Kohat tunnel Friday night.

The tunnel connects the main northwestern city of Peshawar with the city of Kohat.

Kohat is a dangerous area close to the Afghan border where Taliban militants are engaged in a campaign of violence against government officials and security forces in Pakistan.

The tunnel has been a target for attacks in the past.