17 cops, including commanders, defect to militants: Taliban claim

HERAT: Taliban on Monday (Feb. 11) claimed 17 local police including their commanders defected to them in Qadas district of Badghi province. Local officials, however, rejected the Taliban claims as false.

The 17 local police including commander Ziauddin and Zabihullah also surrendered their weapons to Taliban, Qari Muhammad Yousaf Ahmadi, spokesman for Taliban, told Afghan Islamic Press (AIP).

A local official, however, said Ziauddin was a Taliban deserter and rejoined Taliban along with his five associate in Shoro Dilwal area of Qadas district.

"Ziauddin is former Taliban commander and joined the peace process sometimes back. Neither he was occupying an government position and nor joined the local police. Rather he was a civilian and rejoined Taliban," he told AIP on condition of anonymity.

34 suspected Taliban said killed in joint operations: KABUL (AIP): Afghan and foreign forces killed 34 suspected Taliban during joint operation throughout the past 24 hours, interior ministry said Monday.

Six Taliban were also detained during the operation jointly conducted by Afghan and coalition forces in Kunar, Kandahar, Kapisa, Wardak, Logar, Khost, Paktia and Helmand province, the interior ministry said in a statement.

Taliban, meanwhile, dismissed the interior ministry claim as false and told Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) that their fighters did not suffer any damage in the said areas.

He said Taliban conducted several gun and bomb attacks against combined forces in Ningarhar, Kunar, Laghman, Khost, Zabul, Kandahar, Helmand, Farah, Badghis, Ghazni, Faryab and Ghor provinces, killing a large number of combined troops and destroying several vehicles.

ANA soldier killed, two wounded in landmine explosion: JALALABAD (AIP): A roadside bomb killed an Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier and wounded two more in Khugyani district of eastern Ningarhar province today, eyewitnesses said Monday.

The landmine targeted ANA dismounted patrol in Arabano Dokanano area of Memla late this morning, an eyewitness told Afghan Islamic Press (AIP).

He said security forces arrived from the nearby base and detained six civilians in connection with the explosion.

Hazrat Hussain Mashriqwal confirmed the incident and casualties to AIP.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah claimed responsibility for the bomb attack and told AIP that three government troops were killed and two wounded in the explosion.

Two cops injured in

clash with Taliban: HERAT (AIP): Two police were wounded after a clash with Taliban in Ghoryan district of Herat province, police said Monday.

The clash took place in Roznak area of Ghoryan district when Taliban attacked a security post, Abdul Hameed Hameedi, security chief of Herat province, told Afghan Islamic Press (AIP).

He said two cops were wounded in the clash while Taliban retreated after retaliation by police. There was no word by Taliban.

Taliban reported killed: KABUL (AIP): Security forces killed 11 anti-government gunmen during a clash in Marjah district of Helmand province yesterday, Afghan authorities said Monday.

A local police was also killed and two wounded after the firefight in Trekhnawar, Achakzai and Kharwarian area of Marjah district, said a press release issued by Helmand governor"s office.

It said civil order police, national police, local police and national army troops took part in the operation.

Informed sources, meanwhile, told Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) that security forces launched operation in Marjah, Nad Ali and Nawa districts three days ago.

The sources said 10 ANA soldiers and two local police were killed and several wounded in the operation till so far, adding around 30 Taliban also suffered casualties.

Taliban also reported heavy clashes in Marjah district as their spokesman Qari Muhammad Yousaf Ahmadi told AIP that Taliban mounted attacks on Afghan and foreign forces in Marjah.

He said the clash lasted for several hours in which nine combined troops were killed and six wounded.

He did not disclose if Taliban suffered casualties or not

Roadside bomb damages

ISAF vehicle: KABUL: An ISAF vehicle was damage in a roadside bomb attack in Lashkargah, capital of Helmand province, this morning, ISAF said Monday.

Earlier, Taliban spokesman Qari Muhammad Yousaf Ahmadi told Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) that their fighters blew up a tank of foreign forces in Baba Ji area of Lashkargah.

He claimed that three foreign troops were killed and the vehicle destroyed in the attack.

ISAF press office confirmed roadside bomb attack targeting an ISAF vehicle but said no soldier was killed and wounded.

It said the vehicle was damaged in the bomb attack.

Why States Still Use Barrel Bombs

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ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE A few days ago an unknown perpetrator trespassed on the territory of the Russian Trade Delegation in London, causing damage to the property and the vehicles belonging to the trade delegation , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during the September 12 press briefing. The diplomat revealed the response by the London police was discouraging. Police told that the case does not have any prospects and is likely to be closed. This was made despite the fact that the British law enforcement was provided with video surveillance tapes and detailed information shedding light on the incident. By this byehavior, British law inforcements indirectly encourage criminals to continue attacks on Russian diplomatic property in the UK. Zakharova’s statement on “Trespassing on the Russian Trade Mission premises in London” ( source ): During our briefings, we have repeatedly discussed compliance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, specif

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