On Ground Updates: Afghanistan/Pakistan - December 27, 2010

On Ground Updates:

Afghanistan/Pakistan

U.S. Drone Strike Destroy Trucks Believed Carrying Fighters

And Weapons To Afghanistan

Monday, December 27, 2010

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USAF Courtesy Photo

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* Guardian.co.uk brings us the following news out of Pakistan today and their report starts off like this... Suspected US missiles struck two vehicles in a Taliban stronghold near the border with Afghanistan today, killing 18 alleged militants, according to Pakistani intelligence officials. The attack in the North Waziristan tribal region came at the end of a year that has seen an unprecedented number of US drone strikes on Pakistani soil, part of a ramped-up US campaign to take out al-Qaida and Taliban fighters seeking sanctuary outside Afghanistan...
Read the full report at link below...
Pakistan: Suspected US drone strike against Taliban kills 18
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* LATimes.com reports it this way... Missiles presumably fired by U.S. drones on Monday incinerated three trucks thought to be ferrying fighters and weapons from Pakistan's tribal borderlands to Afghanistan. The strikes killed 25 suspected militants and injured four others, according to Pakistani intelligence officials... A campaign of American drone strikes against militants in the tribal areas has dramatically accelerated this year, targeting members of groups including the Taliban, an offshoot organization known as the Haqqani network, and Al Qaeda...
Read the rest of this report at link below...
Missile strike inside Pakistan kills 25 suspected insurgents

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AubreyJ.........

U.S. Senate Confirms General Petraeus 99-0 to Lead Afghan War

U.S. Senate Confirms General Petraeus
99-0 to Lead Afghan War
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
. Gen. David Petraeus file photo by CENTCOM
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The U.S. Senate has confirmed General David Petraeus as the next Commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan... Lawmakers voted unanimously 99-0 in support of Petraeus's nomination this Wednesday morning. He replaces General McChrystal, who resigned last week...
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Congratulations General Petraeus on your new calling and we wish you and the troops much success in seeing your mission in Afghanistan/Pakistan successfully through.
Right man for the right job!!!
AubreyJ.........

Afghanistan/Pakistan: On Ground Updates - December 10, 2009

Afghanistan/Pakistan: On Ground Updates
Most Surge Troops Identified, Official Says
Thursday, December 10, 2009

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The military component that coordinates the forces that fight America's wars has allocated almost all of the troops that will take part in the Afghanistan surge.

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U.S. Joint Forces Command, a support beam in the Defense Department's policymaking structure, is formulating plans to carry out the influx of 30,000 U.S. forces that President Barack Obama has ordered into Afghanistan over roughly the next six months.

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"We know the magnitude of the efforts," said Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert Yates, director of operations, plans, logistics and engineering at Joint Forces Command, said yesterday. "We are getting final details on some of the requirements; we know most of them."

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Obama last week announced a U.S. strategy for Afghanistan that entails bringing the number of forces to about 100,000, with the flexible goal of beginning to withdraw troops in July 2011. Just over half of the surge forces have been identified and informed of their upcoming deployments.

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The responsibility for coordinating such rotations falls to Joint Forces Command. Department officials announced this week that some 1,500 Marines from Camp Lejeune, N.C., will deploy later this month, and 6,200 Marines of Regimental Combat Team 2 at Camp Lejeune were alerted for deployment early in the spring.

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The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton, Calif., also will deploy 800 Marines in the spring, along with an influx of 3,400 soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team from the Army's 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, N.Y., department officials said.

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For its part, Joint Forces Command is putting together "courses of action" -- plans that detail a force composition based on troop availability, military specialties and other factors. Command officials will provide those plans to the Joint Staff, Yates told reporters on a conference call.

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"The Joint Staff will then decide on [a plan], and those will be the forces that will be flowed into Afghanistan," the general explained.

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The unveiling of the new U.S. approach to Afghanistan and Pakistan culminates months of deliberations the president held with senior advisors. While Joint Forces Command officials generally are tight-lipped regarding specific requests it receives from commanders, the command's chief of staff said previously that the command would be included in the decision-making process in relevant ways.

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In an interview in Norfolk before the president's announcement, Air Force Maj. Gen. David M. Edgington said Joint Forces Command was prepared to collaborate with each service branch in a process of finding the right units with the right combination of skills, training and availability to deploy.

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"We've got to know what their training status is so that we can deploy a combat-capable unit," he said in October. Invoking a mantra of the command's commander, Marine Corps Gen. James N. Mattis, Edgington added, "We will not deploy anybody who is not trained for the mission."

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The command's goal is to anticipate such requests and have necessary personnel identified and accounted for 18 months in advance of commanders' needs, but officials often must adapt quickly to changing demands on the ground.

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Written by John J. Kruzel

American Forces Press Service

Afghanistan/Pakistan: On Ground Updates - December 01, 2009

Afghanistan/Pakistan:
On Ground Updates
30,000 Additional Troops to Deploy First Part of 2010
President Obama just outlined his strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan on National TV tonight from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.
December 01, 2009
. President Obama/Marine One lifts off from the South Lawn of the White House en route to Andrews Air Force Base for the trip to West Point
Official White House photo by Chuck Kennedy, December 01, 2009
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Excerpts of the President’s Address to the Nation

“The 30,000 additional troops that I am announcing tonight will deploy in the first part of 2010 – the fastest pace possible – so that they can target the insurgency and secure key population centers. They will increase our ability to train competent Afghan Security Forces, and to partner with them so that more Afghans can get into the fight. And they will help create the conditions for the United States to transfer responsibility to the Afghans.”
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“Because this is an international effort, I have asked that our commitment be joined by contributions from our allies. Some have already provided additional troops, and we are confident that there will be further contributions in the days and weeks ahead. Our friends have fought and bled and died alongside us in Afghanistan. Now, we must come together to end this war successfully. For what’s at stake is not simply a test of NATO’s credibility – what’s at stake is the security of our Allies, and the common security of the world.”
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“Taken together, these additional American and international troops will allow us to accelerate handing over responsibility to Afghan forces, and allow us to begin the transfer of our forces out of Afghanistan in July of 2011. Just as we have done in Iraq, we will execute this transition responsibly, taking into account conditions on the ground. We will continue to advise and assist Afghanistan’s Security Forces to ensure that they can succeed over the long haul. But it will be clear to the Afghan government – and, more importantly, to the Afghan people – that they will ultimately be responsible for their own country.”

.. READ the full transcript HERE

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Above from a White House Press Release - Office of the Press Secretary
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The New Way Forward - The President's Address

Above video from The White House Blog
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I heard more from Obama tonight on why we should leave Afghanistan... than why we need to ramp up and WIN!!!

AubreyJ.........

On Ground Updates: Afghanistan/Pakistan - October 30, 2009

On Ground Updates:

Afghanistan/Pakistan

Professional Pakistani Women Failed To Be Charmed By Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton

Post Date: Friday, October 30, 2009

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Hillary Clinton-Secretary of State Official BIO Photo

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* AP brings us the following report this Friday afternoon and it starts off like this... Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was confronted repeatedly by Pakistanis Friday as she ended a tense three-day tour of the country, chastised by one woman who said a U.S. program using aerial drones to target terrorists amounted to "executions without trial."...

Read the full report at link below...

Pakistanis confront Clinton over drone attacks

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* Telegraph.co.uk has this take... Hillary Clinton faced anger during her visit to Pakistan after she attacked the failure of the government to tackle al-Qaeda... The US Secretary of State also faced angry questions about America's use of drone attacks inside Pakistan as she ended her three-day visit on Friday... Mrs. Clinton was earlier forced to soften her criticism of Islamabad for its failure to capture of kill al-Qaeda's leaders...

Read the rest at link below...

Hillary Clinton faces angry criticism of US in Pakistan

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* Guardian.co.uk reports it this way...

Hillary Clinton wraps up tough mission in Pakistan

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* CSMonitor had the following report posted up on their website late this Friday afternoon and it starts off like this... When US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Pakistani women Friday afternoon, many left the meeting feeling frustrated that their concerns - particularly on security issues - had not been heard or addressed... Addressing a roomful of Pakistani women Friday afternoon at the National Art Gallery here, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made every effort to connect with her audience. But after enduring multiple security checks and waiting over four hours for the secretary to arrive, most women left unimpressed...

Read this report in full at link below...

In Pakistan, Clinton fails to charm professional women

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Clinton Tries to Calm Angry Pakistanis

About this News Video: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton came face-to-face Friday with simmering Pakistani anger over U.S. aerial drone attacks in their country.

This video posted on YouTube by AssociatedPress

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AubreyJ.........

On Ground Updates: Afghanistan/Pakistan - October 24, 2009

On Ground Updates:
Afghanistan/Pakistan
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* Pakistan’s Mother Of All Battles *
-Post 3 - Day 8-
Battle Continues With Security Forces Taking Complete Control Of The Town Of Kotkai - US Drones Providing Pakistan Army Intelligence, Surveillance Videos In Waziristan
Operation Rah-e-Nijat
Post Date: Saturday, October 24, 2009
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In the last 24 hours, the Pakistan Military is reporting that at least 21 terrorists have been killed in the latest round of Operation Rah-e-Nijat. Pakistan had 3 soldiers killed, 8 injured during the same time period.
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Daily ISPR Update
Rawalpindi - October 24, 2009:
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1. South Waziristan - Operation Rah-e-Nijata
Today after intense fighting, security forces took complete control of important stronghold of TTP the town of Kotkai the native place of terrorists leader Hakim Ullah Mehsud and Qari Hussain.b. In last 24 hours, 21 terrorists have been killed during security forces operation in SWA. Security forces losses are 3 soldiers shaheed and 8 injured.
Details of operations are as follows:
(1) On Jandola – Sararogha Axis
(a) Security forces have taken complete control of Kotkai town. The place was stronghold of terrorists with majority of houses converted into strong bunkers. The town also has a training camp of Qari Hussain for suicide bombers. Security forces are in the process of clearing the built up area from IEDs, mines and booby traps.
(b) Security forces have taken complete control of Shishwam and are in the process of securing surrounding heights.
(c) During exchange of fire 12 terrorists were killed while 3 soldiers embraced shahadat and 8 have been injured.(d) Local sources have also confirmed that during initial stages (17/18) October in Spinkai / Kund Sector, 80-90 terrorists were killed including Uzbeks and other foreign terrorists and 150 terrorists were injured.
(2) On Shakai - Kaniguram Axis
(a) After securing Chalwastai security forces are in the process of securing important height of Tarkona Narai. This feature has number of terraces with fortified positions and is dominating important Y Junction on road leading to Kaniguram and Sar Wakai. Stiff resistance is being put up by terrorists. In exchange of fire 6 terrorists have been killed.
(b) During search and clearance operation at Khaisura village, security forces recovered a number of rifles and 1 x 14.5 mm gun from a compound.
(c) On main Axis route 1 ammunition laden vehicle has been destroyed along with 3 terrorists killed.
(3) Reliable sources have reported that due to the pressure of ongoing operation there has been large scale desertions amongst the rank and file of terrorists groups. It has been also reported that the terrorists are shaving and trimming their beards to escape from the area.
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2. Swat - Malakand - Operation Rah-e-Rast
a. 3 terrorists voluntarily surrendered to security forces at Nawan Killi and Zara Khela.
b. Security forces conducted search operation at Sariath Sar, near maindam, Baidara near Khawazakhela, Shalpalam, Dagai and near Kabbal and apprehended 10 terrorists.
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3. Relief Activities - DI Khan and Tanka
11080 families which had arrived up till 31 August have been registered.
b. 9792 fresh IDP families have been registered from 13 October onwards.
c. Food Baskets for 2 months and non food items have already been distributed to old IDPs (80, 000).
d. Distribution of 1 x month food basket and non food items to fresh IDPs is under process.
e. Cash for food program for IDPs is under process through which IDPs are being paid Rs. 5000/- per month.
f. District administration has been asked to run evening shifts at local schools to accommodate displaced children.
g. Skill development training for IDPs is being arranged.
h. Local help line (call centre is being setup by special support group) at D I Khan.
i. ATM cards distribution in Tank will be carried out on 24 - 26 October 2009.

Taken from Press Release #438/2009-ISPR – Daily ISPR Update
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* Guarden.co.uk brings us the following report this Saturday afternoon and it starts off like this... In a breakthrough in the week-old Waziristan campaign, troops capture the home town of militant chief Hakimullah Mehsud... Pakistan notched up the first major success of its Waziristan campaign today with the capture of Kotkai, home to the Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud, one week after it launched a sweeping assault on the militants' heavily protected mountain fortress... The victory came hours after an American drone blasted a militant hideout at the other end of the tribal belt, killing 22 people and underscoring Washington's determination to press ahead with its campaign of targeted assassination even as Pakistani ground troops press in on the main Taliban stronghold. The apparent target of the strike, Commander Faqir Muhammad, reportedly escaped... The army seized control of Kotkai, a strategically located village along one of three axes of attack, after five days of bitterly fought combat that saw warplane attacks and gunfights around mountain outposts. At least 44 militants and 10 soldiers died in the fighting, according to army figures, and the village changed hands several times before the government achieved complete control this morning...
Read this report in full at link below...
Taliban leader's stronghold falls to Pakistani army
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* Telegraph.co.uk reports it this way...
Pakistani army takes home town of Taliban chief in South Waziristan offensive
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* DailyTimes.com.pk had the following report posted up on their website late Friday evening and it starts off like this... US drones are providing intelligence and surveillance videos to support the Pakistan Army’s offensive in South Waziristan, the Los Angeles Times reported on Friday... It said it was the first time Islamabad had accepted such assistance, which marked the “deepest American involvement yet in a Pakistani military campaign”...
Read the full report at link below...
US Aiding South Waziristan Offensive

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Pakistan on edge after Taliban attacks

About this News Video: Taliban attacks across Pakistan have left markets quiet, shops shut and citizens confining themselves to their homes... The army has begun a campaign against Taliban fighters in South Waziristan, but many Pakistanis are afraid the move could prompt retaliation from the armed group... Alan Fisher reports from the unusually subdued capital, Islamabad... (Originally posted: Oct. 23rd)
This video posted on YouTube by AlJazeeraEnglish
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AubreyJ.........

On Ground Updates: Afghanistan/Pakistan - October 19, 2009

On Ground Updates:
Afghanistan/Pakistan
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* Pakistan’s Mother Of All Battles *
-Post 2 - Day 3-
Battle Continues With 30,000 Troops Deployed During-
Operation Rah-e-Nijat
Post Date: Monday, October 19, 2009
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In the last 24 hours, the Pakistan Military is reporting that at least 18 terrorists have been killed in the latest round of Operation Rah-e-Nijat [which means ‘Path to Deliverance’... I’ve also seen it translated as meaning ‘Way to Good Riddance’]. Pakistan had two soldiers killed, 12 injured in the same time period.
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In Short -- The Battle continues, none abated, throughout South Waziristan... Here are a few of the latest news reports out of Pakistan today...
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Daily ISPR Update
Rawalpindi - October 19, 2009:
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1. South Waziristan - Operation Rah-e-Nijat
In last 24 hours, reportedly, 18 terrorists have been killed during Security forces operation in SWA. Security forces losses are two soldiers shaheed and twelve injured. Details of operations are as follows:
a. On Jandola – Sararogha Axis
(1) Security forces have made an envelopment maneuvers around town of Kotkai. Troops have reached Kaskai feature, which is north of Kund, and west of Kotkai. Forces have also secured Tor Ghundai feature (east of Kotkai) and Shishwarm (north-east of Kotkai), overlooking town of Kotkai. (Kotkai is home town of Qari Hussain, known as Mentor of suicide bombers).
(2) 2 ammunition cache sites have been blown along with 1 x 14.5 mm and 1 x 12.7 mm gun positions at Spin Ghara.
b. On Shakai-Ladha Axis
(1) Positions are being consolidated after securing Sherwangi. Perimeter of security is being enhanced around Wuzi Sar and Boya Narai. Stiff resistance was faced by security forces in Sherwangi. After heavy fighting, number of terrorists were killed and their positions captured. One post of 12.7 mm Anti Aircraft gun was vacated by terrorists without fighting.
(2) Security forces are consolidating their positions in the south and south west of Razmak. Rocket fire is being received from the direction of Makeen, resultantly 1 soldier was injured.
(3) Arms and ammunition dumps made in the caves between Ladha and Makeen have been destroyed by precision air targeting.
(4) Terrorists fired rocket at Shakai Fort. No loss.
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2. Swat- Malakand - Operation Rah-e-Rast
a. Security forces during search operation found and demolished a disused terrorists training camp at Jamalasar, near Bartana and arrested 15 suspects.
b. 11 terrorists voluntarily surrendered to security forces at Miandam, Chuprial, Shangla, Kabal and Manglour.
c. Security forces conducted search operation at terrorists commander Farman’s House at Shakardarra and neutralized 4 IEDs and recovered cache of arms and ammunition.

Taken from Press Release #428/2009-ISPR - Daily ISPR Update
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* WSJ.com brings us the follow report this Monday afternoon and it starts off like this... Pakistani forces closed in on the hometown of the Pakistan Taliban's leader Monday as top U.S. officials met the country's leaders in a bid to ease concerns over conditions attached to a $7.5 billion American aid package... Refugees continued to stream out of the South Waziristan tribal region as a long-awaited offensive there entered its third day. The invasion is aimed at dismantling a Taliban mini-state in the area that has become a magnet for jihadis from around the region and a base for al Qaeda. U.S. officials have said they are providing surveillance and intelligence feeds to aid the Pakistani effort... Since the start of the operation before dawn Saturday, the army has killed 78 militants and lost nine soldiers, said the spokesman for Pakistan's military, Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas...
Read the rest at link below...
Pakistan Offensive Enters Third Day
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* Bloomberg.com reports today’s news out of Pakistan this way... Pakistan’s army said it was targeting the hometown of the architect of the Taliban’s suicide bombing campaign as it presses an offensive against up to 10,000 militants... Soldiers have advanced up to 15 kilometers (9 miles) into the mountainous area, where militant leaders remain, army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said. The town of Kotkai, home to Taliban commander Qari Hussain, who Pakistani officials say heads the militants’ suicide-bomb operations, has been “enveloped,” Abbas said in Islamabad. Guerrillas “have taken positions on mountains,” said Abbas. “It is somewhere between a conventional and an unconventional operation.”...
Read this report in full at link below...
Pakistan Army Targets Hometown of Taliban Suicide-Bomb Trainer
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* BBC.co.uk had the following report up on their website earlier today and it starts off like this... The Pakistani army has said it has pushed deeper into South Waziristan as it battles to wrestle control of the region from the Taliban and al-Qaeda... On the offensive's third day, the army said it had captured important strategic heights in the mountains...
Read this report in full at link below...
Pakistan 'push into Taliban area'
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* CSMonitor.com brings us this report... Gen. Petraeus and Sen. Kerry met Pakistani leaders Monday as Pakistan launches a massive offensive against the Taliban's base in South Waziristan... As the Pakistani Army continues its massive offensive against the Taliban's base in South Waziristan, top US officials including CENTCOM chief David Petraeus and Sen. John Kerry (D) of Massachusetts, are meeting with military and civilian leaders here. While the Army's action is in line with US encouragement to rout out the militants, key differences appear to remain between the US and Pakistan on how to tackle the insurgency...
Read the full report at link below...
US, Pakistan agree to disagree on Waziristan offensive
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* MSNBC has this GREAT read on their website today and it starts off like this... The negotiations took weeks. The tribal council was called to try to convince Hafiz Gul Bahadar, the 42-year-old militant commander of North Waziristan, not to send his fighters to support the Taliban militants in the south... Elusive and cunning, Gul Bahadar would be a key government ally in any effort to dislodge Taliban militants from the region. The army needed the consent of this bearded, religious scholar before taking on the Mehsuds, a neighboring, but rival tribe, who are loyal Taliban supporters. Without him, there could be no hope of a military success in routing out the militants...
Read this report in full at link below...
Tribal Deals Open Doors For Pakistan Army
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Displaced Register As Pakistan Fights Taliban

About this News Video: Hundreds registered as displaced on Monday, after fleeing their homes because of fighting in South Waziristan. A Pakistan army spokesman said troops were fighting on three fronts in the Taliban and al-Qaida stronghold. (Originally posted Oct. 19, 2009)
This video posted on YouTube by AssociatedPress
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POST UPDATE:
Tuesday evening - 8:00pm CDT
October 20, 2009
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Daily ISPR Update
Rawalpindi - October 20, 2009:.

1. South Waziristan - Operation Rah-e-Nijat
In last 24 hours, reportedly, 12 terrorists have been killed during Security forces operation in SWA. Security forces losses are 4 soldiers embraced shahadat and 3 were injured.
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Details of operations are as follows:
a. On Jandola – Sararogha Axis
(1) Security forces are consolidating their positions and extending perimeter of security around Kaskai and Shisanwam. Terrorists from surrounding heights are engaging security forces with rockets and small arms. Fire fight is continuing. As a result, 4 soldiers embraced Shahadat and 3 were injured.
(2) Security forces recovered 21 mortar bombs, 22 grenades during clearance operation at Spinkai and Nazarkhel.
(3) Security forces recovered 1 RPG - 7 and material used for preparation of suicidal jackets during clearance operation at Tarakai Ridge.
(4) Security forces recovered 1x 12.7 heavy machine gun along with 100 rounds during clearance operation at Sagarzai.
(5) Security forces recovered 1 x 14.5 heavy machine gun along with 500 rounds during clearance operation at Spin Ghara.
(6) Security forces destroyed 3 vehicles used by terrorists and recovered 2 x 12.7 with 38 rounds, 1 x 75 mm RR, 10 x 107 mm SBRL rockets, 27 x 82 mm mortar bombs, 100 rifle rounds at Kund. 12 terrorists were killed in the process.
(7) Security forces recovered 4 RPG - 7 rockets, 4 x 107 mm SBRL rockets, 900 machine gun rounds and 11 IEDs at Kalkalle village.
b. On Shakai - Ladha Axis
(1) Security forces are consolidating their positions at Sherwangi and perimeter of security is being extended. The important heights surrounding Sherwangi have been secured and terrorists have vacated their positions leaving behind arms and ammunition.
(2) On this axis the village of Khasura which was by passed earlier on 18th October is now being cleared. Terrorists had planted a number of IEDs and mines along the main route which are being cleared.
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2. Malakand - Operation Rah-e-Rast
a. 8 terrorists voluntarily surrendered to security forces at Bar Shaur, Chuprial, Devlolai and Shadhand Banda.
b. Security forces conducted search operation at Salhand and Devolai and apprehended 3 suspects.
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3. Relief Activities - DI Khan and Tank
Since 13 October 2009, 4477 families have been registered at six IDP camps in district Dera Ismail Khan and district Tank. 5 x IDP camps have been established in Nairela, Runhpur, Sheikh Yousaf, Mufti Mehmood and Muryali in district Dera Ismail Khan, while an IDP camp has been established at Tank. 11,080 families which were registered at D I Khan and Tank before 13 October 2009:-
a. Before start of operation on 17 October, 11080 families (80,000 individuals) were registered at D I Khan and Tank IDP Camps.
b. Since start of operation 4477 families (41289 individuals) have been registered in IDP Camps at D I Khan and Tank.

Taken from Press Release #430/2009-ISPR – Daily ISPR Update
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. About above photo: Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) United Kingdom (UK); called on Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Tariq Majid at Joint Staff Headquarters on Tuesday. (10-20-2009)
Photo by ISPR

Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) United Kingdom (UK); called on Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), General Tariq Majid at Joint Staff Headquarters and shared views on bilateral defense cooperation and regional security situation with special emphasis on situation in Afghanistan as well as ongoing operations in South Waziristan Agency (SWA).
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Appreciating the efforts and contributions made by UK in Afghanistan, Chairman JCSC stressed on the need to effectively seal the border on Afghan side to prevent cross border movement and flow of weapons, synchronization of effort on both sides and sharing of real time intelligence with reference to the ongoing operations in SWA.
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Expressing solidarity and full support for Pakistan, the visiting dignitary stressed on the need for Pakistan to remain cognizant of the possibility of negative fallout of current operations on Balochistan.
Taken from Press Release #431/2009-ISPR – Daily ISPR Update

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AubreyJ.........

On Ground Updates: Afghanistan/Pakistan - October 17, 2009

On Ground Updates:
Afghanistan/Pakistan.
* Pakistan’s Mother Of All Battles Begins *
-Post One-
Pakistan’s Mother Of All Battles Begins With 30,000 Troops Deployed For An All-Out Assault On Taliban
Post Date: Saturday, October 17, 2009.

Map by CENTCOM

* Telegraph.co.uk brings us the following report this Saturday morning and it goes like this... The tanks, armored columns and helicopter gunships of Pakistan's army stormed into South Waziristan, the global headquarters of al-Qaeda and its Taliban allies... Within hours of leaving their camps early on Saturday morning to fight what is being hailed as the decisive battle in the war against terror, 12 soldiers had been killed in the first ferocious gunfights... Pakistan's generals have called the offensive the "mother of all battles" for the survival of a country under siege...

Read the full report at link below...

Pakistan fights 'mother of all battles' with the Taliban

.* Guardian.co.uk reports today’s news out of Pakistan like this... More than 30,000 Pakistani soldiers launched a long-expected assault on the Taliban lair of South Waziristan today, following a fortnight of militant attacks that left 175 people dead and underlined the threat to Pakistan's stability... Early clashes were reported to have claimed more than 20 casualties as government soldiers pressed in on the mountain stronghold from three sides, backed by helicopter gunships, warplanes and artillery. A fifth of the local population has fled in recent weeks... The operation is Pakistan's largest ever drive against Islamist extremists. The army says that it has deployed the 30,000 troops against an estimated 10,000 Taliban and al-Qaida fighters. The battle zone is the Mehsud tribal territory, whose impoverished villages have a long history of producing formidable tribal fighters. The Pakistan Taliban in the region are now led by Hakimullah Mehsud, the successor of Baitullah Mehsud, who was killed in an American drone strike last August... A successful operation is vital to Pakistan's stability...

Read this informative, lengthy report in full at link below...

Pakistan sends 30,000 troops for all-out assault on Taliban

.* DAWN.com reports... Following the decision to launch military action in South Waziristan, intelligence reports suggest that the South Waziristan militants along with the operators of banned militant outfits in Punjab could possibly carry out attacks in different areas of Punjab, Sindh and the Federal Capital...

Read this short report at link below...

All four provinces on high alert following threats

.* DAWN.com also has this report up on their website this Saturday afternoon and it goes in part like this... The region is remote and mountainous. It has a leaky border with Afghanistan and fiercely independent tribes who have long resisted government interference. With winter snows just weeks away, the army has limited time to pursue a major ground attack there, and even if it does manage to wipe out its intended targets, it’s unclear whether troops will occupy the area or for how long... The officials Saturday - two with intelligence, three with the government and one senior army official - gave few details but said the troops were pursuing militants holed up in the region, including in major trouble spots such as Ladha and Makeen towns... The army has sent more than 30,000 troops to the region to participate in the combat, said one of the intelligence officials. He said the ground forces were attacking from different directions while helicopter gunships and other aircraft also were bombing various sites... The military already has said it already has sealed off many supply and escape routes...

Read the full report at link below...

Four soldiers killed, 12 injured in South Waziristan operation

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* BBC.co.uk has this lengthy report posted on their website today and it starts off like this... For Pakistan's much-maligned security forces, this offensive in South Waziristan is a chance to prove to the world how committed they are in the battle against militancy... "There are bombs going off everywhere - you must tell the world what is happening," Sher Gul, a terrified resident of Tiarza in South Waziristan told the BBC after arriving in Dera Ismail Khan... "My house was destroyed and many people in my village have been killed."... The fighting in Tiarza is part of the Pakistan army's operation in South Waziristan... It has been called the most significant battle against militancy in the region... It is also the end of a long wait for the rest of the world - and especially the United States. The authorities there waited with bated breath as Pakistan's leadership took its time to make up its mind on the issue... But things probably came to a head with the recent string of deadly attacks which have rocked the country in recent weeks... These seem to have galvanized the leadership and forced the issue...

Read the rest of this GREAT read at link below...

Eyewitness: At the edge of war

Lots of informative links, info, videos and more at above link...

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Video: Pakistan's Taliban Offensive

- This video removed by me in respect of Google Ad Policies…

About this News Video: Pakistan's military has begun its campaign against the Taliban in South Waziristan, long-promised after a series of deadly attacks by Taliban fighters across the country... About 150,000 people are thought to have fled South Waziristan ahead of the assault, only to find that no preparations have been made for civilians caught up in the conflict... Meanwhile, many analysts say the reasons behind Islamabad's domestic crisis lie north of the border in Afghanistan... Al Jazeera's Nicole Johnson reports on the Pakistani military's newest campaign against the Taliban.
This video posted on YouTube by AlJazeeraEnglish
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FOX NEWS Video Report:
Pakistan Forces Launch Offensive On Al Qaeda

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POST UPDATE: 
8:00am CDT
Sunday, October 18, 2009

In the last 24 hours, the Pakistan Military is reporting that at least 60 terrorists have been killed in the latest round of Operation Rah-e-Nijat [which means ‘Path to Deliverance’... I’ve also seen it translated as meaning ‘Way to Good Riddance’]. Pakistan had five soldiers killed, 11 injured in the same time period. It is also being reported that Taliban fighters were vacating their posts… leaving behind arms and ammunition...

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Daily ISPR Update
Rawalpindi - October 18, 2009:

1. South Waziristan- Operation Rah-e-Nijat.

 In last 24 hours, reportedly , sixty (60) terrorists have been killed in operation Rah-e-Nijat. Casualties of security forces are five (05) soldiers embraced shahadat and eleven (11) are injured. Details are as follows:

(1) On Jandola-Kotkai-Sararogha Axis, area up to Mandana, Kund and Tarakai feature has been secured by security forces. Reportedly thirty terrorists have been killed and many injured. Own casualties are 2 soldiers shaheed and 4 injured.

(2) On Shakai-Kaniguram-Ladha Axis, Operation has progressed 7 Kilometers north of Shakai and features like Boya Narai and Wuzi Sar have been captured. Fighting is going around Sherwangi. Reportedly twenty terrorists have been killed and many injured. Own casualties are 1 soldier shaheed and 3 injured.

(3) Important features and tactical heights around and south of Razmak have been secured by security forces. Reportedly 10 terrorists have been killed. Own casualties are 2 soldiers shaheed and 4 injured including two officers.

(4) Six 12.7mm Anti air craft gun positions of terrorists have been destroyed in different areas and one 12.7 mm gun position has been captured in Wuzi Sar area. Lot of IEDs / mines have been recovered.

(5) Number of vehicles under use of terrorists have been destroyed. Due to security forces advance, terrorists are vacating their posts / area leaving behind arms and ammunition.

(6) Villages / hutments enroute are being cleared by security forces conducting search and clearance operation. Civilians are not being targeted; in some areas people (including women) raised white flags; they were left off after search.

.2. Swat-Malakand (Operation Rah-e-Rast)

a. Security forces conducted search operation at Kaldar Khwar and Mulla Banda Nullah near Fatehpur and Miandam and 4 terrorists were apprehended and 9 caves (12’ length and 8’ width) were also recovered.

b. Security forces conducted search operation at Mian Milli near Matta and recovered one 12.7 mm gun.

c. Security forces conducted search operation at Hamwarai near Khawazakhela and 2 terrorists were apprehended.

d. During search operation security forces discovered 1 cave at Tiligram and recovered few weapons.

Taken from Press Release No 425/2009 – ISPR

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* DAWN.com has it reported this way this Sunday morning... Security forces pounded Taliban bases from the air and bore down on their leader's hometown on Sunday, intensifying a major offensive against the militants which it said had killed 60 militants...
Read the full report at link below...
South Waziristan clashes kill 60 militants
Also on the DAWN website today is this report...
Gen Petraeus coming to Pak for consultation

* BBC.co.uk has the following report this Sunday afternoon... Taliban militants are engaged in street fighting with Pakistani soldiers as the army tries to break the militants' grip on South Waziristan... Both sides claim to have suffered few casualties but residents in the remote area say dozens have died... The army, on the second day of its offensive, is reported to be facing battle-hardened militants, supported by Uzbek fighters linked to al-Qaeda...
Read the full report at link below...
Street fighting in Taliban bases
Above link has News Videos and more...

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.Pakistan Offensive

- This video removed by me in respect of Google Ad Policies…

About this news video: In Pakistan, 30 thousand troops are in the second day of a new offensive against militants on the Afghan border, a stronghold of the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Mark Phillips reports...

This video Posted on YouTube by CBSNewsOnline

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I’ll end this post with this... 
We pray for the Pakistan peoples and their military on having a fast -- successful mission... with as few civilian casualties as possible.

Gods Speed... and with luck, just maybe... you can take out ALL the main leaders along with the Head Man... Osama bin Laden.
Now wouldn’t THAT be something!!!?
AubreyJ.........

On Ground Updates: Afghanistan/Pakistan - October 15, 2009

On Ground Updates:
Afghanistan/Pakistan
Pakistan Interior Minister says ‘The enemy has started a guerrilla war’
Post Date: Thursday, October 15, 2009
.

* Guarden.co.uk brings us the following report, with News Video, late this Thursday afternoon and it starts off like this... Pakistan was reeling tonight from a spree of militant violence that plunged its cultural capital into chaos and demonstrated the bloody resolve of Taliban extremists vowing to overthrow the state... Teams of gunmen, several disguised as police officers and wearing suicide vests, attacked three police facilities across Lahore, leaving 28 people dead, 19 of them police... Two of the targets, a police headquarters and a police training centre, had already been attacked in the past 18 months... Violence also rocked North-West Frontier Province, where a suicide bomber in Kohat destroyed a police station, killing 11 people, and a smaller bomb in Peshawar wounded five...

Read the full report at link below...

Gun and bomb attacks kill 39 people in Pakistan

.* WashingtonPost.com reports today’s news out of Pakistan this way... Pakistan came under a deadly, staccato series of attacks Thursday that left at least 38 people dead and raised questions about the ability of the nation's security and intelligence agencies to thwart a rising Islamist insurgency...

Read the rest at link below...

Gunmen, Bombers Hit 5 Sites in Pakistan; 38 Die

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Pakistan Forces Under Attack

- This video removed by me in respect of Google Ad Policies…

About this News Video: The Pakistani Taliban has claimed a series of attacks targeting police officers from Kohat in the northwest to Lahore in the east... They are the latest in a surge of attacks in the country as the government prepares for a ground offensive into South Waziristan, a key Taliban stronghold... The Taliban have said they will fight to the death and bring the battle to Pakistan's major urban centres... Al Jazeera's Imran Khan reports from the Pakistani capital of Islamabad...
This video/info posted on YouTube by AlJazeeraEnglish
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Gunmen Attack 3 Lahore Security Sites

- This video removed by me in respect of Google Ad Policies…

About this News Video: Gunmen laid siege to three security sites in Lahore Thursday. The attacks paralyzed Pakistan's cultural capital, while further bombings shook the northwest. At least 38 people were killed, authorities said.
This video/info posted on YouTube by AssociatedPress
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AubreyJ.........