Gurkha's back, Beheading Taliban's in Afghanistan

Gurkha's back, Beheading Taliban's in Afghanistan

A Gurkha solider who beheaded a Taliban gunman and carried his head back to base in a bag has been cleared to resume his duties. The private, from 1st Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles, was involved in a fierce firefight with insurgents in the Babaji area of central Helmand Province when the incident took place earlier last July.

The Nepalese soldier, who is in his early 20s, apparently made the decision to remove the head in a misunderstanding over the need for DNA evidence of the kill. His unit had been told that they were seeking a ‘high value target,’ a Taliban commander, and that they must prove they had killed the right man.

The Gurkhas had intended to remove the Taliban leader’s body from the battlefield for identification purposes. However, Army sources revealed at the time that he told investigators he had unsheathed his kukri – the symbolic weapon of the Gurkhas – after running out of ammunition.

'Thankfully he has been returned to normal duties having had a question mark hanging over his future for some time,' a military source told The Sun. 'This particular Gurkha is good soldier and has a good record.' The Gurkha faced a court martial and possible jail sentence if he had been found guilty of a war crime.

However, the decision taken was that the soldier was fighting for his life and did not have time to reload his weapon as his victim attacked. The Gurkhas had intended to remove the Taliban leader’s body from the battlefield for identification purposes.

But they came under heavy fire as their tried to do so. Military sources said that in the heat of battle, the Gurkha took out his curved kukri knife and beheaded the dead insurgent. He is understood to have removed the man’s head from the area, leaving the rest of his body on the battlefield.

This is considered a gross insult to the Muslims of Afghanistan, who bury the entire body of their dead even if parts have to be retrieved. British soldiers often return missing body parts once a battle has ended so the dead can be buried in one piece.

- Daily Mail

Taliban attacks heart of Afghanistan, 28 feared dead

Taliban attacks heart of Afghanistan, 28 feared dead

At least 28 people were killed and more than 300 wounded when a suicide bomber blew up a bus full of explosives near a government security building in the heart of Kabul.

After the intial blast, which was described as huge by witnesses, armed men and more suicide bombers stormed the heavily-guarded compound, police said.

Al Jazeera's Qais Azimy, reporting from Kabul, said Tuesday's attack, which was quickly claimed by the Taliban, was likely the biggest such incident to hit the capital since 2001.

With the attack happening during morning rush hour in a crowded are, the number of deaths was likely to rise, according to police.

"Our sources are telling us that at the time of explosion there was a graduation ceremony going on for new recruits when the suicide bomber detonated himself," Azimy said.

The security agency attacked is responsible for protecting government ministers and VIPs.

A police spokesman, Basir Mujahid, told Al Jazeera that the gunfight was ongoing, as Afghan special forces rushed to the scene.

"The Taliban are still fighting with the security forces," Mujahid said.

In a statement, the Presidential Palace condemned the attack "in the strongest possible terms".

"The explosion has caused a lot of damage to the government," Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, told Al Jazeera.

The US embassy said it was not affected by the blast. The NATO military coalition also said it was unaffected.

The Taliban last week announced the start of their "spring offensive" even as the government in Kabul tried to talk them back to the negotiating table in a bid to end the country's drawn-out conflict.

In a statement, the group warned it would "employ large-scale attacks on enemy positions across the country", dubbing the offensive Operation Omari after the movement's late founder Mullah Omar.

Since then, fighting has raged around the symbolically-important northern city of Kunduz, which fell briefly to the Taliban last September.

The annual spring offensive normally marks the start of what is referred to as fighting season, though this past winter the usual lull was shorter as the group continued to battle government forces, though with less intensity.

Peace talks that began last summer were abruptly stopped after it was revealed that Taliban leader Mullah Omar had been dead for two years, a disclosure which sparked infighting in Taliban ranks.

- Al Jazeera

Indian Consulate in Afghan attacked, ITBP responded

Indian Consulate in Afghan attacked, ITBP responded

Powerful blasts and gunfire rang out near the Indian consulate and other foreign missions in the Afghan city of Jalalabad on Wednesday, with officials saying 14 people were injured in the attack.

Initial reports suggested one blast was triggered by a suicide bomber near the Indian consulate at noon, Khaama Press reported.

Other reports said at least four attackers were involved. One of them was gunned down by security forces and a search was underway for the others.

At least 14 injured people were admitted to hospital, officials were quoted as saying by Tolo News. The external affairs ministry said all Indian staff at the consulate were safe though an Afghan employee was injured.

Witnesses said small arms fire could be heard near the Indian consulate, which is located in an area with several other foreign missions.

The blasts shattered windows and doors in nearby buildings and destroyed at least eight cars. No militant group claimed responsibility for the attack.

In December, Afghan security forces said they had foiled two attempts to attack the Indian mission in Jalalabad, the capital of eastern Nangrahar province. They also said they had arrested two members of the Islamic State in connection with one of the planned attacks.

On January 4, three attackers stormed a building near the Indian consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif and exchanged fire with security forces for almost 25 hours before they were killed. The attack coincided with a terrorist assault on the Pathankot airbase in India.

The Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed was linked to the attacks in Mazar-e-Sharif and Pathankot.

Also in January, seven Afghan security personnel were killed while fighting terrorists who attacked the Pakistani consulate in Jalalabad. The IS claimed responsibility for the attack.

During the first week of January, a restaurant in Kabul frequented by foreigners and a contractor camp on the outskirts of the capital were attacked.

There has been a spike in violence since the start of 2016, a tough year for Afghanistan as insurgents escalated attacks to enter any peace negotiations from a position of strength.

-Hindustan Times

Supporting Afghanistan This time Mi 35 Attack Helicopters

Supporting Afghanistan This time Mi 35 Attack Helicopters

   India all set to give four Mi 35 attack helicopters to the Afghanistan army as a good will to fight against Taliban and Pakistani sponsored terrorism. The proposed discussion will be held by coming days when the Afghan National security adviser meet his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval. Afghanistan looks Indian co operation to build peace and security along the state. India already deployed Forces and support systems in Afghan to fight against the Taliban terrorists and improve the country's economy and stability.

    Supplying the Attack helicopter is new in the defense cooperation. Earlier India provided HAL made Cheetal helicopters for utility purpose. However this is the first time India providing modern Mi 35 Hind E helicopters to Afghan. The Attack helicopters can be used to fight against Taliban's with it's superior fire power and defensive capabilities. Afghan already operating some Mi 35 attack helicopter bought directly from Russia earlier.

    After US overthrow the Taliban's from Afghanistan, India officially express interest to build stronger relationship with Afghanistan, With the US support India carried out friendly mission in early 2010.  India not engaged the fight against Taliban in Afghan, However India moved with infrastructure and economical aid to Afghan to establish good relationship for longer times.

     India invested bigger projects in Afghan by constructing Power plants, Health and Educational activities. The Indian Army's BRO (Border Road Organization) also sent in Afghan to build key roads around afghan to connect major cities like Delaram and Zaranj, Also take care of the Nimroz remote province and  assisted many humanitarian and civil constrictions. India also helped the Afghani's to stop depending on Pakistan for their economical needs.

    At first in 2005, India deployed more than 200 ITBP elite commando's to safe guard Indian missions in Afghan such as constructions, Educations and government buildings. The US and the Collation forces will not allow foreign troops inside their mission zone.Where India is the first country who deployed the forces inside Afghan with the support from Afghan political leaders. India also says once the ISAF mission ends India will deploy more troops inside afghan.

    The Pakistan is on other hand playing hide and seek games inside Afghan by plotting attacks and suicide bombings. The well known connection between ISI and Taliban has been whitewashed by Wikileaks, Once the ISI backed Taliban militants carried out a suicide attack in Indian Embassy Kabul. The Attack killed an Indian Army Brig general and a senior diplomat official. Same kind of attacks still happens in Afghan to sabotage Indian  missions. The recent one is last year attack in Indian Consulate Herat.  The attack was repelled by the ITBP Commando's.

    Providing assistance to Afghan Army is also a key interest, Most of the Afghan Soldiers are trained by Indian Army, India also hosts some Afghan nationals in NDA Pune. India supported the Afghan military by supplying armored personnel carrier and 4x4 Jeeps.  Earlier HAL Provided three Cheetal Utility helicopters to Afghan Army. All of them under operational.

    Taliban threats in Afghan still exists.As a recent example, this year Taliban seized two major districts in northern Afghan with Pakistani support. However the Afghan forces and US forces later carried out counter attack to re capture the lands from Taliban. The US earlier said will pull out all the troops from Afghan by 2015. however they revised their plans and extended to one more year.

    

     Afghan currently has less than 10,000 US Forces and Air crafts, Some 2000 other Soldiers from NATO countries, unknown number of Indian Army and Para military troops and 1,70,000 Afghan troops. However the Afghan troops are poorly equipped to fight against the Taliban's.Most of the times the Afghan positions are overrun by  Taliban's. However later The ISAF comes to the rescue.

    The Afghan Air force has some Mi 35 and Mi 17 for Air support, The MD 500 also provide close air support. Afghan set to receive the first batch of A 29 Coin aircraft's from Brazil in coming years to revamp their Air fleet. Which makes Afghan a good place in Middle East with the support of India. 

Savage Taliban returns to Afghanistan marks arrival with Parliament attack

 Taliban returns to haunt Afghanistan attacks  heart of Kabul

  The dreaded Taliban Islamic extremists group have returned to haunt Afghanistan which was on its way to recovery and development. Taliban terrorist have started gaining grounds in the Northern provinces and preliminary intelligence reports have now confirmed the taking over of two districts in Kunduz Region. Taliban militants yesterday struck at the heart of Afghanistan after a suicide bomber and gunners attacked the Parliament at national capital Kabul. The advance of Taliban has been left unchecked with only the Afghanistan forces left to take care of the situation. The international forces have retreated from the troubled Afgan region after fighting a lengthy battle with the militias.  

     The NATO led by America which once was a crucial link in restoring peace, law and order across Afghanistan has phased out its force leaving Afghanistan alone to handle the situation on ground. India has been an active element in helping Afghanistan restore the Democracy it once enjoyed. Afghanistan has termed India as a strategic partner which has stood by its side in the worst of its time. India played a key role in helping Afghanistan host its first ever election in decades. India has also helped Afghanistan restore its Economy by actively helping in increasing its trade with India and other Asian nations. India has also provided world-class training for Afghanistan military forces in bases throughout India.

    But the growing relations between Afghanistan and India have been an alarming situation for Pakistan. Taliban leaders have claimed support of Pakistan’s ISI support for their activities across Afghanistan. Last year Taliban had ambushed 24 Indian ITBP commandos and Afghan military personnel in attacks against Indian Consulate. Attacks on Indian missions have been key matter of concern in India’s aid to Afghanistan, the threats have increased over time with the NATO forces pulling out.





     Taliban is slowly gaining grounds in the Northern provinces, which NATO forces continue to consider as the one of the toughest battleground in their history. By Sunday Taliban had taken control of the Chandra district in Kunduz region, this is a victory for the Taliban as this will eventually pave way for the neighboring resource rich districts. Afghan National Army (ANA) has been successful in holding up fort in the mainlands but the renewed surge by Taliban has inflicted a major dent to the ANA operations. 

 Taliban after taking over the Chandra district has now advanced into the Dashti Archi. Dashi Archi houses a key operational base of the ANA, Taliban have also seized nearly four battle tanks and numerous heavy artillery. ANA meanwhile has started evacuating the nearly 150,000 civilians before mounting a counter operation. The attack on Afgan parliament has raised questions over the operations of the ANA. But with left extremely minimal force there is hardly anything the ANA can do.

    ANA has put up a brave face in countering the Taliban in its area of operation. ANA has been busy mounting operations on Taliban holdings across Kabul. The repeated bombings and gunfights in and around the capital have kept most of the ANA grounded around Kabul. During the attack on parliament the ANA successfully gunned down the insurgents and took control of the power seat. During the operation a ANA soldier executed six Taliban perpetrators alone thus controlling further damage to the control. The video of the brave men can watched in the link here.


Editor - Karthik Kakoor