AFPAK / Iraq Sweep17 June 2011

Afghanistan1) U.S. President Barack Obama has met with the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan to discuss a range of options for starting the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan in July. AOP

2) A US-led soldier with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan has been killed in a bomb attack in the south of the conflict-riddled Asian country. NATO announced on Friday that the soldier lost his life a day earlier, but did not provide any information about the victim's identity or nationality, the Associated Press reported. AOP

3) A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained numerous suspected Taliban insurgents during an overnight security operation in Sabari district, Khost province, yesterday. A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader during a security operation in Marjah district, Helmand province, yesterday. The leader directed a cell of Taliban fighters in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. ISAF

4) Pakistan summoned Afghan envoy in Islamabad on Friday and lodged a strong protest over a recent incursion of militants into its territory from Afghanistan, according to a statement released by the Pakistani Foreign Ministry. Xinhua

Pakistan1) Violence ruled many areas of Karachi, claiming lives of eight more people on Thursday. Orangi Town, Qasba Colony, Aligarh Society, Saddar, Lines Area and other localities were echoing with gunshots. The miscreants held up the entire entry and exit routes linking Orangi and harassed passersby and commuters. Residents of Orangi Town revealed that miscreants not only tortured people but also looted them. Daily Times

2) Pakistan’s army chief, General Ashfaq Kayani, is “fighting to survive,” The Washington Post quoted an unnamed US official as saying, on Thursday. The pressure on Kayani is unprecedented under Pakistan’s strict military hierarchy. “Nobody should underestimate the pressure he’s now under,” another US official said. Daily Times

3) Pakistan's police presented chargesheets against six members of a paramilitary force and 1 civilian on Friday for the killing of an unarmed man last week, a government lawyer said, in a rare rebuke to the country's powerful military. The incident in the southern city of Karachi was caught on videotape and broadcast on television channels nationwide, fueling anger against the security forces already under pressure since Osama

bin Laden's killing last month in a U.S. raid. All seven men committed murder and an act of terrorism, the police charge sheet said, according to a police official. Trust

4) Security forces continued their search operation following an attack by militants who crossed the border from Afghanistan, Geo News reported. Security forces and the Qaumi Lashkar have gained complete control of the border areas. The residents of Mohmand said that if Afghan militants attack in the future, then they will target their sanctuaries in Afghanistan. Geo

5) Twelve more Afghan militants have been killed in clash with security forces and Qaumi Lashkar in Mamond district of Bajaur Agency, Geo News reported on Friday. The News

6) Pakistan’s army says security forces acting on a tip have destroyed two militant bomb-making factories. But it says intelligence received about two other factories was incorrect. Dawn

7) Pakistani army Friday rejected U. S. media reports that elements in Pakistan security forces tipped off terrorists helping them to escape the purported improvised explosive device (IED) factories in Waziristan tribal region. AOP

Iraq1) The Military Second Division commander announced today that his forces arrested 57 wanted people and discovering an ammunition dump in Mosul. Staff General Nasir Ahmad Ghannam told Aswat al-Iraq that the arrested were wanted for terrorist attack in different parts of the city upon intelligence information. Aswat Al Iraq

2) A security source said today that SWAT forces captured Salah al-Din Qaeda Wali (governor) along with another terrorist. Aswat Al Iraq

3) The so-called Qaeda Iraqi Islamic State declared its responsibility for assassinating head of the Questioning and Justice Authority Ali Al-Lami on 26 May last, according to Associated Press. Aswat Al Iraq

4) A security source said today that one cop was killed and three injured late last night by a car bomb in Karma area, east of Falluja, Anbar province. Aswat Al Iraq

5) An al-Ahrar bloc MP disclosed today that his bloc will submit a project to prevent the entrance of U.S. forces to meet with the local government official, in order to isolate them politically, economically and security wise. MP Udai Awad told Aswat al-Iraq that this project will be submitted to the Provincial Council, as the legislative and executive power. Aswat Al Iraq

6) A security source said today that a soldier was killed and 9 wounded, including 6 cops and 3 soldiers in two different incidents in Baghdad. The source informed Aswat al-Iraq

that the first incident involved a bomb implanted on the side of the road in Doura area, south Baghdad. Aswat Al Iraq

Full Articles

Afghanistan1) Obama, Petraeus Discuss Afghan Withdrawal Options. AOP

June 17, 2011Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

U.S. President Barack Obama has met with the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan to discuss a range of options for starting the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan in July.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said General David Petraeus, along with other members of the U.S. national security team, met with Obama at the White House on June 15.

Carney said Petraeus presented a "range of options" on reducing the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

The spokesman, however, gave no details on the options.

Obama is expected to publicly announce a decision on the Afghanistan troop drawdown soon. The United States currently has around 100,000 troops in Afghanistan.

Obama administration officials have said they want to start withdrawing U.S. troops while also ensuring that enough American forces will be deployed to protect gains and ensure that Afghan forces can take over control of security in the country by 2014.

2) US-led soldier killed in Afghan blast. AOPPress TVJune 17, 2011

A US-led soldier with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan has been killed in a bomb attack in the south of the conflict-riddled Asian country.

NATO announced on Friday that the soldier lost his life a day earlier, but did not provide any information about the victim's identity or nationality, the Associated Press reported.

At least 245 foreign troops have been killed in war-wrecked Afghanistan so far this year, according to icasualties.

Last year, nonetheless, remains the deadliest year for foreign military casualties, with a death toll of 711. The number eclipsed the previous record of 521, set in 2009.

Hundreds of civilians have also been killed in US-led airstrikes and ground operations in various parts of Afghanistan over the past few months, with Afghans becoming increasingly outraged over the seemingly endless number of deadly assaults.

The growing death toll of Afghan civilians as a result of NATO and US military operations in the country has fueled mounting tensions between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his Western allies.

3) ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update June 17, 2011. ISAF

KABUL, Afghanistan (June 17, 2011) – A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained numerous suspected Taliban insurgents during an overnight security operation in Sabari district, Khost province, yesterday.

The individuals were detained while the Afghan-led security force was searching for a senior Haqqani network leader who conducts roadside bomb attacks in throughout Sabari.

The security force searched a compound when they discovered the individuals. The force decided to apprehend the men after initial questioning. They were taken for further questioning.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader during a security operation in Marjah district, Helmand province, yesterday. The leader directed a cell of Taliban fighters in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

The Afghan-led security force tracked the leader to his compound following several intelligence tips. They searched his compound and conducted interviews with residents. After the interviews, the force detained the leader and a suspected associate.

4) Pakistan summons Afghan envoy over militants' cross-border incursion. XinhuaEnglish.news.cn 2011-06-18 01:08:54

ISLAMABAD, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan summoned Afghan envoy in Islamabad on Friday and lodged a strong protest over a recent incursion of militants into its territory from Afghanistan, according to a statement released by the Pakistani Foreign Ministry.

"The Afghanistan Charge d'affaires Majnoon Gulab was summoned to the Foreign Office today. A strong demarche was lodged with him on the incident, which took place on 16 June 2011 during which 100 to 150 terrorists crossed the border with Afghanistan and attacked three Pakistani villages in the Bajaur sector," said the Foreign Ministry statement.

The cross-border incursion resulted in the killing of five civilians, including three males and two females, and one soldier and three civilian females were injured, the statement said.

"Serious concern of the Government of Pakistan was conveyed to the Afghan Charge d'affaires. The Government of Afghanistan was asked to prevent such cross-border incidents from occurring in the future," it said.

Pakistani officials said it was the 4th incursion of militants into the Pakistani territories from Afghanistan in a month. The previous intrusions took place in Upper Dir, South Waziristan and Kurram Agency.

Pakistan also raised the issue with Afghan President Hamid Karzai during his recent visit to Pakistan.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry in a separate statement said that serious concern over a recent air incursion by ISAF and NATO aircraft which attacked a Pakistani post in a tribal region has been conveyed to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad.

A joint inquiry of this incident has also been requested, said the statement.

According to the statement, a NATO and ISAF aircraft attacked a Pakistan Military Ziarat post in South Mohmand, which is located 2. 5 kilometers away from Pak-Afghan border inside the Pakistani territory.

This matter has been taken up with the United States, NATO and ISAF on both military and diplomatic tracks, said the statement.

Pakistan1) 8 more killed as violence continues to rule Karachi. Daily TimesFriday, June 17, 2011

KARACHI: Violence ruled many areas of the city, claiming lives of eight more people on Thursday.

Orangi Town, Qasba Colony, Aligarh Society, Saddar, Lines Area and other localities were echoing with gunshots. The miscreants held up the entire entry and exit routes

linking Orangi and harassed passersby and commuters. Residents of Orangi Town revealed that miscreants not only tortured people but also looted them.

Violence also spread in Saddar and Lines Area where intense gunfire occurred. Residents of these areas confirmed that armed men took positions in various buildings and fired bullets.

During the exchange of fire, a garbage warehouse located near the Fire Brigade Office caught fire where an Zahir Shah, 18, sustained burn injuries and was trying to flee when he became the victim of crossfire and died. SHO Brigade Akhter Abbas said Shah was sleeping at the garbage warehouse when fire erupted in it. He said Preedy police had registered a case against unidentified men on the complaint of state. Awami National Party (ANP)’s spokesman Qadir Khan claimed that the victim was an activist of ANP Saddar Ward.

Two fire fighters, Muhammad Hussain and Ali Manzil, also sustained bullet wounds during the intense firing and were rushed to the Civil Hospital Karachi.

Meanwhile, Salman alias Dada Baloch, an operative of Ghaffar Zikri gang affiliated with Raja Pathan, was gunned down on Shah Abdul Latif Bhattai Road within the limits of Baghdadi police station. Separately, Kalri police found the bullet-riddled body of a man near Niazi Chowk, Bagh-e-Lyari. The victim was identified as Imran Azam, 30, resident of Umar Baloch Mohalla. The body was handed over to heir after an autopsy. The body of a man packed in a gunny bag was also found from Ghaas Mandi within the limits of Napier police station. It was shifted to a morgue after conduction of an autopsy from the Civil Hospital Karachi. A former Pakistan People’s Party activist Pervaiz Fateh was sitting outside his home in North Nazimabad within the limits of Shahrah -e-Noor Jahan when armed men shot him dead.

In other incident, Jamaluddin, 25, was shot dead at MPR Colony, Orangi Town. He was the resident of Kunwari Colony located within the limits of Manghopir police station. The bullet-riddled body of a man was found near the Government Boys School, Kala Board within Saudabad police limits. The identity of the victim could not be ascertained yet. The body was shifted to a morgue for identification.

In yet another incident, a man was shot dead near Kashti Chowk within the limits of Napier police station. Mohammad Hussain, 35, son of Lal Mohammad Baloch, resident of Laasi Para, Gabol Goth, was shot dead by unidentified armed men near Kashti Chowk. DSP Ghulam Murtaza said the victim was a drug addict and police believed that a personal enmity might be the motive behind the incident.

2) Kayani ‘fighting to survive’: WP. Daily TimesFriday, June 17, 2011

WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s army chief, General Ashfaq Kayani, is “fighting to survive,” The Washington Post quoted an unnamed US official as saying, on Thursday.

The US-Pakistan security relationship has dipped to its lowest point since the September 11, 2001 attacks, threatening counterterrorism programs, the Post reported. US and Pakistan officials told the Post that the ties could deteriorate even further amid growing pressure from within the Pakistani military to reduce ties with the United States in the wake of last month’s US Special Operations Forces raid that killed Osama bin Laden in a Pakistani garrison town.

The United States kept the raid secret, not informing Pakistan ahead of time, which left its military and intelligence frustrated and humiliated after the operation that also invited allegations of incompetence and complicity. On General Kayani’s position post-bin Laden, the US official told the newspaper: “His corps commanders are very strongly anti-US right now, so he has to appease them.” The pressure on Kayani is unprecedented under Pakistan’s strict military hierarchy. “Nobody should underestimate the pressure he’s now under,” another US official said.

Meanwhile, US lawmakers have been similarly displeased, complaining that Pakistani cooperation remains unreliable despite a huge US aid package that has totalled over $20 billion since 2001. They have also denounced Pakistan’s arrest of several Pakistani informants who provided intelligence to the CIA about bin Laden’s compound.

According to the Post, one of those detained was Major Amir Aziz, a doctor in the Pakistani Army’s medical corps who lived next to bin Laden’s Abbottabad compound. He was said to have monitored who entered and left the residence, though the Pakistani military denied that any army officer had been detained over what it called the “Abbottabad incident.” US officials said Aziz was among several Pakistanis paid to keep track of and photograph those entering and leaving the compound, without being told whom they were looking for. “Their families don’t have any idea where they have been taken,” the Post quoted one neighbour in Abbottabad’s Bilal Town subdivision as saying. “Nobody knows what they had done.”

The newspaper reported that a US official as saying that the CIA tried to get the doctor and other informants out of harm’s way before their arrests, offering to relocate them. But they refused and “thought they would be okay,” the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters. A Pakistani military spokesman said reports that an officer had been detained were “totally baseless.”

However, the report observed that US officials took some comfort in the fact that, despite the strong public rhetoric in Pakistan, a series of meetings with high-level Pakistani officials since the bin Laden raid has been frank and productive. Admiral Mike Mullen; Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; General James N Mattis, head of US Central Command; and CIA Director Leon Panetta have all travelled to Pakistan in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, the Pakistanis have pressured Washington to end its covert campaign of drone strikes in the Tribal Areas bordering Afghanistan and a US Special Operations training programme for its tribal defence force has largely ended. Pakistan has also

withheld visas from CIA and military personnel. The Post noted that Pakistan is a key player in the US administration’s war strategy in Afghanistan, but US officials are under similar pressure at home to take a tough line. Bin Laden’s presence in Pakistan and the repercussions of the US raid that led to his killing has made many in Congress see it as proof that the Pakistanis are unreliable partners who refuse to fully commit to fighting insurgents and do not deserve US assistance or trust, the report said.

Notwithstanding these differences, the Post said that the Pakistanis have responded positively to some US demands, including granting the CIA access to the Abbottabad compound and to bin Laden family members in Pakistani detention. daily times monitor/agencies

3) Six Pakistani Rangers sent to jail for videotaped killing. Trust17 Jun 2011 14:08Source: reuters // Reuters

By Faisal Aziz

KARACHI, June 17 (Reuters) - Pakistan's police presented chargesheets against six members of a paramilitary force on Friday for the killing of an unarmed man last week, a government lawyer said, in a rare rebuke to the country's powerful military.

The incident in the southern city of Karachi was caught on videotape and broadcast on television channels nationwide, fueling anger against the security forces already under pressure since Osama bin Laden's killing last month in a U.S. raid.

"The police have submitted their investigation report to me, which will now be scrutinised and submitted to the court, after which the trial will be held in an anti-terrorism court," state lawyer Arshad Iqbal Cheema told Reuters.

He said the soldiers, who had been in police custody, were sent to prison.

The footage showed the soldiers from the Rangers force opening fire at close range at the man identified as Sarfaraz Shah in a public park in Karachi.

A civilian -- who has also been charged -- is seen grabbing the victim by the hair and dragging him over to a group of Rangers. He pleads for mercy, then one of the soldiers shoots him twice.

The victim falls to the ground and screams in pain. The soldiers stand beside him.

He collapses in a pool of blood beside a park named after late Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was seen around the world as a symbol of democracy.

All seven men committed murder and an act of terrorism, the police charge sheet said, according to a police official.

The shooting triggered fresh criticism of Pakistan's human rights record and an unpopular government many say has failed to rein in the police and army, who are often seen as untouchable.

The Supreme Court took up the incident on its own authority and ordered the removal of the police chief of Sindh province, where Karachi is the capital.

In an unusual move by civilian authorities against the military, the highest court also ordered the transfer of the director general of the Rangers in Sindh, a serving two-star army general.

It also appointed a senior Karachi police officer, who submitted the charge sheet on Friday, to investigate the killing.

The accused Rangers, along with the civilian, will be tried in a civilian court. Such cases are usually taken up by the military.

The jailing of the seven men came as journalists and human rights activists stepped up their demands for a full enquiry into the killing of journalist Saleem Shahzad in late May.

Shahzad, who reported on Islamist militants, was kidnapped in Islamabad and beaten to death.

He had earlier spoken of being threatened by the Inter-Services Intelligence agency, raising suspicions the ISI was behind his death. The ISI denied the allegations.

Human rights activists on Friday appealed to the Supreme Court to intervene to ensure that an independent enquiry was held into his death.

Pakistanis traditionally have been wary of criticising the army and its powerful intelligence service.

The Pakistan Army and the ISI, however, have faced unprecedented criticism since U.S. forces found and killed bin Laden in a unilateral raid on the Pakistani town of Abbottabad on May 2.

That was followed by a string of security and intelligence lapses, including a militant raid on a naval base in Karachi. (Additional reporting by Imtiaz Shah and Myra MacDonald; Editing by Chris Allbritton and Sanjeev Miglani)

4) Bajaur: Forces take control following cross-border attack. Geo Updated at: 1227 PST, Friday, June 17, 2011

KHAR: Security forces continued their search operation following an attack by militants who crossed the border from Afghanistan, Geo News reported. Security forces and the Qaumi Lashkar have gained complete control of the border areas.

In Salarzai Tehsil, a body of an unidentified person was recovered while in Charmang a child was killed due to an explosion of an old bomb. The residents of Mohmand said that if Afghan militants attack in the future, then they will target their sanctuaries in Afghanistan.

Strict security arrangements have been made in Bajaur Agency and checking is taking place at all entry and exit points.

5) Security forces kill 12 Afghan militants in Bajaur. The News17 June 2011 [Security forces kill 12 Afghan militants in Bajaur]BAJAUR: Twelve more Afghan militants have been killed in clash with security forces and Qaumi Lashkar in Mamond district of Bajaur Agency, Geo News reported on Friday.

Security forces continued their search operation following an attack by militants who crossed the border from Afghanistan. Last night Afghan militants attacked and killed five people and injured several others in Mamond, while in retaliation nine were militants were perished.

On Friday, during search operation 12 militants were killed, while a member of Qaumi Lashkar was injured. Security forces and the Qaumi Lashkar have gained complete control of the border areas.

Strict security arrangements have been made in Bajaur Agency and checking is taking place at all entry and exit points.

A total of 21 Afghan militants have been killed since yesterday (Thursday).

6) Pakistan says intel on bomb factories was wrong. DawnAP17 June 2011

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army says security forces acting on a tip have destroyed two militant bomb-making factories. But it says intelligence received about two other factories was incorrect.

The announcement doesn’t say who provided the intelligence or when the raids occurred, but the Pakistani army has been trying to shake off reports that elements in its security establishment may have tipped off insurgents at suspected sites along the Afghan border after receiving information from the US.

The media accounts have further strained Pakistan-US relations in the wake of the American raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

The Pakistani army again denied any alleged collusion with militants in Friday’s carefully worded statement.

7) Pakistani army dismisses U.S. reports on militants' help. AOP

ISLAMABAD, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani army Friday rejected U. S. media reports that elements in Pakistan security forces tipped off terrorists helping them to escape the purported improvised explosive device (IED) factories in Waziristan tribal region.

The U.S. media quoted unnamed American officials as saying that the CIA chief Leon Panetta during his recent visit to Pakistan presented satellite photographs of two bomb-making factories that American spies several weeks ago had asked the Pakistani intelligence to raid.

When Pakistani troops showed up days later, the militants were gone, causing American officials to question whether the militants had been warned by someone on the Pakistani side, according to New York Times.

"This assertion is totally false and malicious and the facts on ground are contrary to it," the Pakistani army said.

The army spokesman said that intelligence information was received regarding four compounds suspected of being used as IED making facilities. Operations were launched on all.

"Two were found to be used as IED making facilities and have been destroyed. Information on others to proved to be incorrect. Some persons have been arrested and they are under investigation," the spokesman said in a statement.

The Times reported that shortly after the failed raids, the Defense Department put a hold on a 300 million dollar payment reimbursing Pakistan for the cost of deploying more than 100,000 troops along the border with Afghanistan, two officials said.

The U.S. media reports said that the "IED factories" were located in North and South Waziristan, where many militants are based.

Iraq1) 57 Arrested in Mosul. Aswat Al Iraq6/17/2011 5:47 PM

NINEWA / Aswat al-Iraq: The Military Second Division commander announced today that his forces arrested 57 wanted people and discovering an ammunition dump in Mosul.

Staff General Nasir Ahmad Ghannam told Aswat al-Iraq that the arrested were wanted for terrorist attack in different parts of the city upon intelligence information.

He added that the force discovered the greatest bombs factory, as well.

Mosul city, center of Ninewa province, lies 405 km north of the capital, Baghdad.

2) Al-Qaeda's Salah al-Din Wali arrested. Aswat Al Iraq6/17/2011 2:09 PM

SALAH AL-DIN / Aswat al-Iraq: A security source said today that SWAT forces captured Salah al-Din Qaeda Wali (governor) along with another terrorist.

The source told Aswat al-Iraq that the Wali, Ahmed Hassan Ibaid al-Ajili, was arrested with a man accompanying him, passing through Tikrit.

Tikrit, the center of Salah al-Din province, lies 175 km north of Baghdad.

3) Qaeda Iraqi Islamic State Responsible for Assassinating Al-Lami. Aswat Al Iraq6/17/2011 6:09 PM

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The so-called Qaeda Iraqi Islamic State declared its responsibility for assassinating head of the Questioning and Justice Authority Ali Al-Lami on 26 May last, according to Associated Press.

AP reported the confession from one of the internet sites.

Baghdad Operations Command announced on 31 May, 2011 the capture of the assassin, stating he was a member in the previous regime intelligence service.

Lami was assassinated by weapons equipped with silencers.

The Authority was established after the US invasion in 2003, with main task to prevent the Baathists or leading members in the previous party not to participate in the political operation.

4) 1 cop killed, 3 wounded in Falluja. Aswat Al Iraq6/17/2011 1:59 PM

ANBAR / Aswat al-Iraq: A security source said today that one cop was killed and three injured late last night by a car bomb in Karma area, east of Falluja, Anbar province.

The source told Aswat al-Iraq that the explosion was the result of a car parked near a police check point, 18 km east of Falluja.

5) Will prevent US Forces' entry - Basra MP. Aswat Al Iraq6/17/2011 1:57 PM

BASRA / Aswat al-Iraq: An al-Ahrar bloc MP disclosed today that his bloc will submit a project to prevent the entrance of U.S. forces to meet with the local government official, in order to isolate them politically, economically and security wise.

MP Udai Awad told Aswat al-Iraq that this project will be submitted to the Provincial Council, as the legislative and executive power.

"It is the right of the local government, according to the Iraqi-U.S. security agreement, to make such a decision," he added.

"This idea is a result of the attack on an Iraqi family by a U.S. plane north of Basra, which resulted in killing one person and several family-members injured," he concluded.

6) Soldier killed, 9 injured in 2 Baghdad attacks. Aswat Al Iraq 6/17/2011 1:54 PM

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: A security source said today that a soldier was killed and 9 wounded, including 6 cops and 3 soldiers in two different incidents in Baghdad.

The source informed Aswat al-Iraq that the first incident involved a bomb implanted on the side of the road in Doura area, south Baghdad.

The second attack was carried out by weapons equipped with silencers on army check point in Sadr City in the capital, where one soldier was killed and wounding three.

Baghdad has witnessed an escalation of attacks against police and army officers, government officials, and university teachers by different weapons.