War News for Thursday, July 26, 2012

The DoD is reporting the death of a U.S. Marine. Sgt. Justin M. Hansen died during combat operations in Badghis province on Tuesday, July 24th. He was assigned to USFOR-A. News reports that he died from small arms fire/gun shot wounds.


Reported security incidents
#1: A bomb tore through a busy market in Pakistan's tribal belt on Thursday, killing at least five people and wounding 11 others near the Afghan border, officials said. The device exploded in Pasht bazaar of Salarzai in Bajaur district.

#2: As many as 20 to 30 Afghan National Army personnel, intruding into the Kurram Agency, attacked Nawazish checkpost in Dalasa area on Wednesday morning, leaving two security forces personnel injured. According to military officials, the attack by the Afghan National Army was repulsed with heavy artillery fire by the security forces, which forced the Afghan army personnel to retreat. The official sources identified the two injured soldiers as Sohail and Haider. Later on, Political Administration officials also arrived at the spot and initiated investigation. "The security forces responded to the attack with full force and used helicopters for shelling on the militants. At least 10 militants were killed in the response," a security official said. Reports said that the Afghan National Army, a few days earlier, had fired missile across the border in which two tribesmen had died.

#3: Afghan national police units during series of operations across the country have killed seven anti- government militants and detained 37 others over the past 24 hours, Interior Ministry said on Thursday. "During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police backed by the National Army and the Coalition Forces launched six joint operations in Kabul, Baghlan, Kunduz, Kandahar, Uruzgan and Paktika provinces during which seven armed insurgents have been killed and 10 others arrested," a statement released by the Interior Ministry here said. The Interior Ministry in another statement stated that Special Units of National Police and Coalition Forces launched five joint cleanup operations in Kandahar, Khost and Balkh provinces on Wednesday night as a result 27 armed insurgents were arrested. However, both the statements did not say if there were any casualties on the security forces.

#4: According to local authorities in Maidan Wardak province of Afghanistan, heavy clashes took place between Afghan security forces, NATO troops and armed militants in Jalrez district. A local security official speaking on the condition of anonymity said the incident took place around 11:00 am local time after an Afghan national army vehicle struck a roadside bomb injuring two Afghan soldiers and one driver. The source further added a convoy of the Afghan national army and NATO troops were attacked by militants while they were on their way from Daimerdad district to Maidan Shahr city. In the meantime provincial governor spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said the cleaning operation is still going on in Mullah Khel area.


News: Civ. Benjamin Monsivais

News: Civ. Joseph Perez

DoD: Pfc. Adam C. Ross

DoD: Spc. Justin L. Horsley

DoD: Pfc. Brenden N. Salazar

DoD: Sgt. Justin M. Hansen