Editor's Note:

Like the pro-Taliban news stories below, these pro-NATO news stories are not independently verified.

UK soldier shot dead in Afghanistan

AFP, May 26, 2010

LONDON (AFP) –

A British soldier was shot dead in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence said.

The soldier, from 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, died from a gunshot wound sustained during a small arms fire engagement with insurgents in the Nahr-e Saraj area of Helmand Province, the MoD said.

"He was conducting a joint foot patrol with the Afghan National Army when he was killed," said Task Force Helmand spokesman Lieutenant Colonel James Carr-Smith.

"He died doing his duty, alongside his mates, whilst seeking to reassure the local population and counter insurgent intimidation."

The death brings to 287 the number of British troops killed since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001. Of these, at least 252 were killed as a result of hostile action.

He is the sixth British soldier killed in Afghanistan this month. Next of kin have been informed.

Britain has around 9,500 troops in Afghanistan, largely battling Taliban militants in Helmand.

The new coalition government has put Afghanistan at the top of its foreign policy agenda.

New Foreign Secretary William Hague, Defence Secretary Liam Fox and International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell visited Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul for talks on Saturday.

They said there would be no deadline for withdrawal, but said they were deciding how best to support the international strategy for ending the insurgency.

NATO, Afghan forces launch offensive against Taliban in Kunduz

DPA, Tue, 25 May 2010 06:47:34 GMT

Kunduz, Afghanistan -

Afghan security forces and German troops under NATO command Tuesday launched an offensive against Taliban fighters in Chardara, a district in the northern province of Kunduz, officials said.

The joint military operation aims to clear the district of Taliban fighters and remove roadside bombs, German Provincial Reconstruction Team officials said.

"We have good coordination among our forces and this offensive is very important for us," Kunduz city police chief Razaq Yaqobi said. "We are making efforts to avoid any possible civilian casualties in this operation."

Around 4,500 German troops are based mainly in the northern provinces where the Taliban-led (resistance to the NATO forces) has gained ground in recent years. The Taliban fighters have recently increased their activities against Afghan and international forces across Afghanistan as part of their summer offensive.

Two soldiers of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force were killed in separate incidents during the past 24 hours. A NATO statement said one soldier died of small arms fire in eastern Afghanistan while another was killed in a roadside bomb explosion in the south of the country.

Taliban fighters fired a rocket at Kunduz city earlier Tuesday, injuring one civilian. The rocket landed on a house in the Zar Kharid area, the provincial governor said.

===========================

May 26: Afghan-ISAF Operations in Zabul, Uruzgan, Helmand

5/26/10 | ISAF Public Affairs Office

ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-05-CA-096 For Immediate Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (May 26, 2010) -

An Afghan-international security force captured a Taliban operations facilitator and other suspected militants in Zabul Province last night. The facilitator and other militants were captured at a compound in Kaj Baz, Qalat district, after intelligence information verified insurgent activity. The facilitator has ties to several insurgent networks, is known to provide monetary support to the insurgency, and operates mainly in Zabul Province. When the security force confronted the Taliban leader he immediately surrendered and identified himself as the targeted insurgent. No shots were fired and no one was harmed during this operation.

 An Afghan-international patrol discovered numerous improvised explosive device (IED) making materials in Chorah district, Uruzgan Province, yesterday. The material included 50 military grade detonators, a 107mm mortar round, a 40mm diameter mortar fuse, detonation cord, ball bearings, pressure plates, a small bag of homemade explosives, an IED trigger used to detonate several charges simultaneously, and other IED making materials.

 Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) with ISAF partners conducted a combined operation early Tuesday morning in Shurakay, Helmand Province. The intent of the operation was to arrest a Taliban insurgent responsible for supplying aid to insurgents in Helmand Province. As the combined force approached a compound where the Taliban commander was believed to be, they were attacked by insurgents with small arms and rocket propelled grenades. ANSF and ISAF responded in self-defense and killed several insurgents. The combined force then surrounded the compound, and Afghan Special Police ensured all residents exited the compound safely. Several were detained, and multiple women and children were protected throughout this operation, in which no civilians were injured.

May 25: Afghan-ISAF Forces Destroy Bomb-Making Factory in Kandahar Province

5/25/10 | ISAF Public Affairs Office

ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan (May 25, 2010) -

An Afghan-international security force killed several individuals in a fierce gun battle in Paktiya Province this morning. The targeted individual killed was an Afghanistan al-Qaeda leader, while the remaining individuals were engaging the security force with automatic rifles and hand grenades.

The combined force went to a compound in a rural area of the Zormat district after intelligence information verified militant activity. As the assault force approached the compound, they came under heavy fire. While moving around the compound the force continued to receive fire by individuals barricaded inside buildings, and returned fire killing several individuals.

A number of armed individuals who ran from the compound were pursued by the force. As they were being pursued, the individuals turned and fired on the security force, which returned fire and killed the individuals.

During a search of the compound the assault force found a large weapons cache consisting of a Chinese recoilless rifle with 25 rounds of ammunition, multiple rocket propelled grenade launchers and rounds, 20 mortar rounds and multiple automatic rifles and grenades. The assault force also protected several women and children from harm.

A separate Afghan-international security force destroyed an IED making factory and detained a suspected insurgent in Kandahar Province last night.

The security force discovered the factory, containing explosives and other IED materials, in a building west of Niku Kariz, Kandahar district. Precision weapons were used to destroy the building.

A Taliban IED facilitator and another insurgent were captured by an Afghan-international security force in an operation in Logar Province last night.

The IED facilitator and the other insurgent were detained during a search of a compound in Abjush-e Pa'in, Baraki Barak district, after intelligence information confirmed insurgent activity. When confronted, the facilitator immediately surrendered and identified himself as the targeted insurgent.

The facilitator is responsible for several IED emplacements and attacks against Coalition and Afghan forces in the Charkh and Baraki Barak districts.

An ISAF patrol discovered a freshly dug weapons cache at a construction site in the Khash Rod district, Nimroz Province yesterday. The cache consisted of a number of mortars, rocket propelled grenades, anti-tank and anti-personnel mines and artillery shells.

An Afghan-international force discovered 58 152mm artillery shells in Shindand district, Herat Province yesterday. The munitions will be destroyed.

Afghan National Security Forces with ISAF partners conducted a combined operation early Sunday morning in Malgir, Nahr-e-Saray, Helmand Province, to arrest a Taliban fighter known to have taken part in attacks against ISAF forces and recruit for the Taliban.

After surrounding the compound of interest, Afghan Special Police ensured all occupants exited the compound safely. Several men were detained along with a small amount of narcotics and an assault rifle. Several women and children were protected throughout the operation, in which no civilians were injured.

===============================

Afghanistan War News Stories as Reported by the Pro-Taliban Website, alemarah: 

Editor's Note:

Like the NATO news stories above, these pro-Taliban news stories are not independently verified.

US-NATO base attacked in Zabul

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 21:49 Q.M Ahmadi

 ZABUL, May 26 -

In the early morning hours of Wednesday (May 26), Mujahideen carried out missiles attack on the US-NATO base in Atghar district of Zabul, likely to have caused deadly losses to the enemy, but it is, so far, unclear how many have been killed or injured in the attack.

Blast in Lashkar Gah hits US-NATO tank

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 21:49 Q.M Ahmadi

HELMAND, May 26 -

One of the coaltions' tanks got hit and destroyed in the bombing while traveling in convoy in Lashkar Gah city, the capital of Helmand, on Tuesday.

Mujahideen clash Britons in Helmand

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 21:48 Q.M Ahmadi

 HELMAND, May 26 -

On Wednesday, Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate, in a one-hour long confrontation with the British cowardly forces in Helmand's Gerishk district, killed one Briton and wounded two more, the report said, adding that no Mujahideen were harmed during the fighting.

In another report from Helmand province, a blast in Sangin district of the province hit and destroyed one of the coalitions' tanks, killing all the foreign soldiers .

VBIED blast in Kandahar kills 35 domestic and foreign soldiers, destroys 170 vehicles and motorbikes

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 21:45 Q.M Ahmadi

KANDAHAR, May 26 -

As many as 35 Afghan and US-NATO soldiers took losses of life and injuries with more than 170 vehicles and motorcycles as a van filled with explosives detonated in the parking area of PRT building on Wednesday noon, May 26, 2010. Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer.

The massive explosion, during the major countrywide operation al-Fath, which rocked the whole city, comes as several Afghan and foreign officials were meeting in the PRT building in Kandahar city to discuss some of their matters. The PRT building, where a large number of Afghans and Americans are stationed, is reported to have completely flattened.

Wednesday's incident, which comes after the bloodiest incidents of Kabul, Bagram and Paktia is one of the most successful and tactical attacks of its kind, causing the enemy deadliest losses and severest damages.

Mine Blast in Khust Police Center

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 20:34 Z. Mujahid

Khust May 26.

Today in Khust province, a mine exploded in the police center, near the provincial city. According to the report, the explosion occurred in skyscrapers area of Khust province, killing three police men besides injuring a number of them.

The report adds, the mine was planted by Mujahideen in the center. The blast also damaged the building of the center.

Mujahideen Kill Seven Foreign and Internal Surrogate Soldiers in Yahya Khel

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 20:33 Z. Mujahid

Paktika May 26.

Mujahiden of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan based in Paktika province ambushed a joint mobile patrol party of the foreign invading and the Afghan hireling soldiers in Ghaib Khel area, killing seven soldiers and injuring ten others. The Mujahideen have also caused material losses to the enemy.

An armed clash occurred between Mujahideen and the invaders after the ambush which continued until late in evening. The report adds, enemy helicopters bombarded the surrounding area, injuring a Mujahid and three civilians. Similarly, Mujahiddeen ambushed Afghan internal hireling soldiers in the same site, killing three soldiers who were on foot patrol in the area.

At least 60 Americans killed in Ghazni amid operation al-Fath

Tuesday, 25 May 2010 20:29 Zabihullah Mujahid

GHAZNI, May 25 -

The incident came after a US local spy, who had been captured by Mujahideen, led the American invaders to a deserted compound as per instruction of Mujahideen, where about 4000 kg explosives had already been placed, on Tuesday morning (May 25).

According to the report from Ghazni province, on the information of the captured spy, who, as had been instructed by Mujahideen, told the American invaders that Mujahideen leaders were holding a meeting in the stated compound, as a result, about 12 US helicopters approached stated area, 6 of the helicopters were hovering over the area, while the other 6 landed in the area.

The report indicates the explosives detonated as soon as the American cowardly invaders got into the mentioned compound, killing or wounding about 60 American soldiers including a few of their local interpreters, spies and soldiers of ANA.

More News Stories:

26 05 10 Mujahideen kill 7 US-NATO soldiers, wound 5 in Ghazni
26 05 10 District center of Alingar comes under attack in Laghman
26 05 10 NATO tank torn apart in Logar
26 05 10 Police vehicle blown up in Zabul
26 05 10 US-NATO logistical convoy attacked in Wardag
26 05 10 US-NATO logistical convoy attacked on Kabul-Jalalabad road
26 05 10 US military vehicle destroyed in Kunar
26 05 10 6 American troops take losses of life and injuries in Helmand
26 05 10 More losses inflicted on enemy in Helmand
26 05 10 Mujahideen blew up a Police Van in Nadershah Kut
26 05 10 An Armored American Tank Destroyed in Mine Explosion
25 05 10 Mujahideen destroy two enemy vehicles in Badghis
25 05 10 Another British tank eliminated in Helmand
25 05 10 British military tank hits roadside bomb in Helmand
25 05 10 Mujahideen destroy two enemy vehicles in Badghis
25 05 10 Six soldiers killed in Uruzgan
25 05 10 Police vehicle blown up in Gerishk
25 05 10 At least 60 Americans killed in Ghazni amid operation al-Fath
25 05 10 Bombings in Kandahar kill 6 soldiers, destroy 3 vehicles
25 05 10 Americans martyr non-combatant civilian, hold 9 in Helmand
25 05 10 NATO military tank blown apart in Farah
25 05 10 Canadian military tank blown up in Kandahar
25 05 10 Landmine explosion kills 4 soldiers in Kandahar
25 05 10 Oil tanker hits IED blast in Jalalababad city
25 05 10 British tank eliminate in Helmand
25 05 10 French forces attacked in Sarubi
25 05 10 Mujahideen cause deadliest losses to US troops yet again
25 05 10 NATO tank blown up in Ghazni
25 05 10 Blast blows apart US tank in Kandahar
25 05 10 US military tank destroyed in Kunar
25 05 10 US-NATO armored tanks exploded in Logar
25 05 10 Mujadeen kill 7 policemen in Zabul
24 05 10 Police post overrun in Ghazni
24 05 10 NATO tank blown up in Zabul