Afghanistan Update: October 2008

Image Source:  NATO International Security Assistance Force

General Security Situation

NATO forces succeeded in capturing several Taliban officials in Afghanistan; however, most high-ranking leaders are still believed to be hiding in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan. Despite the losses, the Taliban have continued to gain footholds in Regional Commands South and East, and to some extend Taliban activity has revived across the country.  Attacks against NATO troops have grown larger in scale, with more insurgents committed to the offensives and targeted suicide bombings becoming more deadly. Following several executions of foreign aid workers and government officials, Taliban spokesmen announced they would continue to target senior government leaders. An attack on the Information and Culture Ministry in Kabul, which killed six and wounded 21, showed that the Taliban were capable of keeping their promise.

In addition to escalating attacks against NATO troops, the Taliban have stepped up operations against Afghan civilian targets.  In the past, civilian casualties by the Taliban were often the result of misfired missiles or mistaken identities, but in October, several attacks were carried out with the sole intention of killing civilians. In one incident for example, Taliban militants raided a bus, removed 50 passengers and beheaded at least 30. The Taliban also forced the closure of mobile phone networks in Ghazni province, fearing that their cell phones were making it easier for NATO troops to target their positions.

Following a mandate issued by American President George W. Bush to kill al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden before the Nov. 4 elections, the number of U.S. missile strikes inside Pakistan have skyrocketed. The attacks have been somewhat successful in targeting al-Qaida operatives. Khalid Habib, the terrorist organization’s supposed number four man, was allegedly killed in South Waziristan and two other mid-level operatives were killed in North Waziristan.  The missile strikes, however, have resulted in large Pakistani civilian casualties and near the end of October, Pakistani officials issued a proclamation against the attacks and called for the United States to cease and desist. 

ISAF Commander Gen. David McKiernan and U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates issued calls for more troops to fight the resurgent Taliban. Gates estimated that at least three more brigades (10,000 - 12,000 troops) were needed. So far, only Germany and the United States have agreed to send more soldiers. Germany will bolster their 3,300 troops by 1,000, while the United States commented that they would send up to 9,000 more troops next year.

Regional Command Capital

Oct. 11, 2008:  Taliban Jailbreak Thwarted

Afghan officials said that they successfully stopped a Taliban jailbreak from a Kabul prison. Three officers had supplied Taliban inmates with explosives, guns and cell phones. Officials guess that the plan was to set off several suicide bombings to destroy the walls so that hundreds of inmates could escape. A similar plot succeeded in June, when over 1,000 Taliban escaped from prison.

Oct. 20, 2008:  Foreign Aid Worker Killed in Kabul

A British-South African foreign aid worker was killed by gunmen on a motorbike in Kabul. The woman worked for SERVE Afghanistan, a Christian charity that helps the disabled. The Taliban claimed they killed her because she was preaching Christianity.

Oct. 26, 2008:  Guard Kills Two Foreign Workers

A guard opened fire on a Briton and a South African in Kabul. All three men were employees of DHL in Afghanistan.

Oct. 30, 2008:  Suicide Bomber Targets Government Building

Three attackers charged the Information and Culture Ministry building in Kabul, throwing grenades at the guards. One militant was able to enter the building and detonate his explosive device - killing himself, five others and wounding 21 more. The other two attackers escaped unharmed. The Taliban claimed responsibility.

Regional Command North

Oct. 5, 2008:  Taliban Attack Foreign Vehicles

The Taliban claimed responsibility for blowing up two foreign vehicles in Faryab province. The blast killed 16 people.

Oct. 20, 2008:  Suicide Bomber Kills Seven

A suicide bomber struck a convoy in Kundoz province, killing two soldiers and five children. As of writing, ISAF leaders have withheld information about the victims’ nationalities, although a majority of the troops in Kundoz are German.

Oct. 27, 2008:  Bomber Kills Two

A suicide bomber targeted a meeting between U.S. soldiers and a police chief in Baghlan province.  Reports indicated that the bomber was wearing a police uniform when he detonated his device.  Two soldiers were killed, with three more wounded.  The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

Regional Command South

Oct. 1, 2008:  Australian Troops Capture Taliban Leader

Australian Special Forces captured Mullah Saqi Dad, a Taliban leader responsible for numerous roadside attacks and suicide bombings.  Mullah Dad supposedly had connections with the Taliban Second-in-Command, Mullah Akhund.

Oct. 3, 2008:  Taliban Commander Killed

NATO troops killed 11 militants in Kandahar.  Among those killed was Mullah Amir, a violent Taliban commander known for hanging innocent Afghan civilians in public.

Oct. 5, 2008:  Taliban Attack ISAF Tank

The Taliban claimed that they destroyed an ISAF tank and killed three soldiers in Kandahar.  ISAF confirmed that the tank was hit, but denied that anyone was killed.

Oct. 5, 2008:  Taliban Forces Assault Afghan Police

Taliban militants attacked the home of a police commander; however a small contingent of Afghan police in the house were able to fight them off.  Five militants and five civilians were killed in the battle in Kandahar province.

Oct. 7, 2008:  U.S. Forces Kill 43 Taliban Militants

In response to Taliban sniper and rocket fire, U.S. troops called in an air strike and killed 43 in Zabul province.  One American, a civilian contractor, was injured.

Oct. 12, 2008:  100 Taliban Militants Dead

Taliban forces launched a surprise attack against a key town in Helmand province.  Initial reports show that nearly 60 Taliban were killed.  In a second attack, Taliban militants used rocket launchers and heavy artillery to attack another town in Helmand. Forty more Taliban were killed.

Oct. 13, 2008:  Coalition Troop Killed in Explosion

A coalition fighter was killed and several others were wounded by a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan.  As of writing, the nationalities of the dead have not been released.

Oct. 14, 2008:  Blast Kills At Least Nine Civilians

A bus hit a roadside bomb in Uruzgan province, killing nine civilians.  No one claimed responsibility.

Oct. 14, 2008:  Provincial Officer Assassinated

Dost Muhammad Arghestani, a Kandahar official, was assassinated by Taliban militants while on his way to work. Arghestani was the chief of social affairs for Kandahar. The Taliban said that he was killed because of his work with the government and that they would continue to target senior government officials.

Oct. 16, 2008:  Three Canadian Soldiers Injured

Three Canadian soldiers were injured by an Improvised Explosive Device in Kandahar province while on a routine patrol.  The soldiers were members of a squad that trains the Afghan military.

Oct. 16, 2008:  Civilians Killed in Air Strike

An alleged coalition air strike killed 18 civilians in southern Helmand province.  Three of the victims were women, while the rest were children ranging in age from six months to 15 years.  Nine more people were missing and were believed to be trapped under rubble.  NATO is investigating the incident.  As a protest the next day, villagers carried the bodies to the provincial capital where they placed them in front of the governor’s house. 

Oct. 16, 2008:  Taliban Kill 30 in Bus Attack

Taliban militants ambushed a bus in Kandahar province, killing 30.  The Taliban ushered nearly 50 passengers off the bus, and then beheaded 30 of them.  The Afghan government claimed that the dead were all civilians, while Taliban officials stated that there were 27 Afghan soldiers on board.

Oct. 16, 2008:  British Soldier Killed

A British soldier was killed by a roadside explosion during a routine patrol in Helmand province.  The soldier was a member of U.K. Prince Henry’s regiment.

Oct. 18, 2008:  Afghan Elder, Son Assassinated

Three gunmen executed Afghan Elder Haji Ali Ahmad Khan and his son, Gul Ahmad, as they left a mosque in Kandahar at 6:00 a.m. Khan was a former bodyguard to Afghan President Hamid Karzai.  The gunmen escaped undetected.  Kandahar police believed that the murder fell in line with a recent string of high-profile assassinations in the city.

Oct. 20, 2008:  Taliban Commander Killed

Taliban Commander Mullah Ghafar was killed in a coalition air strike in Helmand province. Ghafar was allegedly responsible for numerous attacks against coalition convoys and checkpoints.

Oct. 21, 2008:  Taliban Attack District Center

Over 100 Taliban militants attacked a district center in Uruzgan province in southern Afghanistan.  The fighting lasted well into the next morning, killing 35 Taliban and three Afghan police officers.  Police Chief Juma Gul Hemat said that NATO planes were called in for assistance.

Oct. 24, 2008:  Donkey-Bomb Kills Police Officer

Militants strapped a bomb onto a donkey and sent the animal walking towards a police officer in Kandahar.  The bomb detonated, killing the police officer and wounding two others.

Oct. 26, 2008:  Gruesome Attack on Civilian

Armed assailants attacked an Afghan civilian at his home in Kandahar.  The men punched him in the face, stuck their Kalashnikov rifle in his mouth, and used a knife to gouge out his eyes. Government officials blame the Taliban, while the Taliban deny the accusations.

Oct. 29, 2008:  Taliban Mid-Level Commander Killed

Mullah Ziauddin, a Taliban mid-level commander with close links to high-ranking Taliban leaders was killed in an ISAF strike south of Lashkar Gah in Helmand province. He is believed to have been responsible for taking 160 laborers hostage in September.  ISAF Command hopes that his death will limit Taliban capabilities in Musa Qala.

Regional Command West

Oct. 5, 2008:  Suicide Bomber Attacks Afghan Police

A suicide bomber drove his motorbike into an army convoy, killing himself and wounding four others.  The attack occurred in Farah province.

Oct. 18, 2008:  Suicide Bomber Hits NATO Convoy

A suicide bomber drove his vehicle into a NATO convoy, killing four Italian soldiers.  The soldiers were en route to a local airport.

Oct. 21, 2008:  Spanish Troops Attacked

A large number of Taliban militants attacked a NATO base in Bala Murghab in Badghis province.  Spanish soldiers were just about to transfer control to Italy.  It is unclear how many militants were killed.  No Spanish or Italian troops were injured.

Oct. 22, 2008:  American Hostage Rescued

U.S. Special Forces were able to rescue an American member of the Army Corps of Engineers during a nighttime raid on the location where he was being held. The man was kidnapped in mid-August.  Several insurgents were killed during the mission.

Oct. 23, 2008:  ANA Kills 13 Militants

The Afghan National Army, with NATO assistance, killed 13 militants and wounded six more in Badghis province.

Oct. 23, 2008:  Coalition Convoy Attacked

A coalition convoy was hit by a roadside bomb in Farah province.  Three soldiers were killed and one was injured.  No nationalities were provided, however most soldiers in Farah are from the United States.

Regional Command East

Oct. 4, 2008:  U.S. Targets Taliban Bomb-Maker

An operation in Ghazni province against a bomb-maker left two militants dead.

Oct. 4, 2008:  Militants Attack Coalition Forces

While investigating the impact of an air strike in Konar province, coalition troops were attacked by militants.  No coalition troops were injured and three militants were killed.

Oct. 5, 2008:  Militants Attack Afghan Police

Militants attacked a convoy carrying Afghan police officers in the Vardak district south of Kabul. Five police and three militants were killed.

Oct. 7, 2008:  NATO Soldier Accidentally Kills Civilian

A NATO soldier fired a warning flare at a vehicle that was approaching too close to a NATO convoy in Paktia province.  The flare deflected off the car and struck an Afghan civilian, killing him.

Oct. 13, 2008:  Taliban Killed Three Civilians

Taliban militants fired a rocket at a house in the capital of Ghazni province.  A woman and child were killed, and two other children were wounded.

Oct. 14, 2008:  U.S. Attacks Taliban Sub-Commander

In an attack against a Taliban subcommander in Ghazni province, U.S. troops killed five militants. The subcommander was believed to be responsible for many coordinated attacks against coalition forces.

Oct. 16, 2008:  Afghan Police Officer Kills U.S. Soldier

In the second such incident in less than a month, an Afghan police officer killed a U.S. soldier in eastern Afghanistan.  The report stated that the Afghan police officer opened fire and threw a grenade at patrolling U.S. soldiers.  The U.S. troops returned fire, killing the police officer. 

Oct. 22, 2008:  U.S. Forces Mistakenly Kill Afghan Soldiers

In a case of mistaken identity, U.S. military forces killed nine Afghan soldiers in eastern Khost province. U.S. troops were returning from an operation when they called in an air strike on a checkpoint held by Afghan soldiers in the Sayed Kheil district. Top U.S. officials will meet with Afghan leaders to determine exactly what happened.

Oct. 27, 2008:  U.S. Helicopter Shot Down

The Taliban claimed responsibility for shooting down a U.S. Chinook helicopter which contained ten soldiers.  Taliban militants used a rocket-propelled grenade launcher in the attack.  All ten soldiers managed to escape unharmed.

Oct. 31, 2008:  U.S. Targets Haqqani/al-Qaida Networks

U.S. forces attacked a bomb-making cell run by Taliban Commander Jalaluddin Haqqani in Khost province.  Ten militants were killed.  In a separate attack, coalition forces targeted an al-Qaida leader responsible for bringing fighters across the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Five militants were killed in this operation.

Pakistan

Oct. 3, 2008:  U.S. Missiles Kill 24

U.S. missiles reportedly killed 21 militants and three civilians in North Waziristan.  The attack targeted the home of two Afghan brothers known to be affiliated with the Taliban.  It is unknown if the brothers were killed.

Oct. 7, 2008:  Pakistan Deports 50,000 Afghans

Amid major operations against al-Qaida and Taliban forces in the tribal regions, Pakistan ordered the deportations of all Afghan refugees in the Bajaur region. The total number of refugees is estimated at around 50,000.

Oct. 10, 2008:  Suicide Bomber Hits Anti-Taliban Meeting

A suicide bomber drove his explosive-laden truck into a meeting of Pakistani elders who were discussing how to deal with the Taliban.  The bomber killed more than 40 and wounded over 100.

Oct. 11, 2008:  U.S. Missiles Hit North Waziristan

A suspected U.S. attack in North Waziristan killed five and wounded two others.  The attack targeted a small home in Khatai Qila, a region that is believed to provide safe havens for numerous al-Qaida and Taliban militants. Initial reports indicated that over 30 al-Qaida and Taliban militants were able to escape the house before the missiles struck. Another round of missiles hit North Waziristan on Saturday, but no one was injured.

Oct. 16, 2008:  Al-Qaida Leader Killed in CIA Strike

Khalid Habib, the supposed number four man in al-Qaida hierarchy, was allegedly killed in a U.S. missile strike in South Waziristan. According to an interview with a militant who was present on the ground, Habib was sitting in a Toyota station wagon when it was hit by a missile.  There has been no confirmation of his death.  Four others were killed and seven more were wounded.

Oct. 16, 2008:  U.S. Missiles Attack Home of Mehsud

U.S. missiles hit a known home of Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud, although he was not reported to have been at the location. The attack killed six militants and wounded five others.  U.S. officials did not comment.

Oct. 23, 2008:  Cross-Border Attack Kills Nine

U.S. forces fired missiles at a stronghold of Taliban commander Jalaluddin Haqqani in a village near Miranshah in North Waziristan. Nine people were reported dead and three more were injured.  An attack in September on the same village killed 23 people.

Oct. 23, 2008:  U.S. Missiles Hit Religious School

A suspected U.S. drone fired missiles at a religious school in the Dande Darpakhel region of North Waziristan.  Seven students were killed.

Oct. 24, 2008:  Four Suspects Arrested for Marriott Bombings

Pakistani officials arrested four men who they believe played key roles in the Marriott hotel bombing in September.

Oct. 26, 2008:  U.S. Air Strike Kills 20

A U.S. drone fired missiles at a Taliban compound in South Waziristan, killing two Taliban commanders and 18 others. Two of the dead commanders, Haji Khan and Wahweed Ullah, were close to Jalaluddin Haqqani and Baitullah Mehsud. Reports indicating that Mullah Mohammed Omar was killed in the attack are false.

Oct. 29, 2008:  Pakistan Protests U.S. Strikes

The government of Pakistan issued a protest over U.S. missile attacks in the tribal regions.  A Pakistani spokesman warned that these attacks are hindering the working relationship between the government and various tribes throughout the regions that are helping them to fight Taliban and al-Qaida forces.

Oct. 29, 2008:  Quake in Baluchistan

An earthquake that began just before dawn killed at least 215 and displaced over 15,000 Pakistanis.  Pakistani officials stated that they are no longer conducting rescue operations and have begun to instead focus on relief efforts.

Oct. 31, 2008:  Two Air Strikes Kill 27

Only days after Pakistan called on the United States to cease cross-border attacks, two missile attacks killed a total of 27, including a mid-level al-Qaida operative Abu Akash al-Iraqi. The first strike landed in North Waziristan and killed 24.  The second hit South Waziristan, killing three more.

Other News

Oct. 1, 2008:  McKiernan Calls for More Troops

ISAF Commander Gen. David McKiernan asked for more troops in Afghanistan in order to fight the increased number of militants crossing over from Pakistan. He also stated that the Taliban make up to $100 million annually from drug trafficking.

Oct. 7, 2008:  Germany Approves Troop Extension

The German government extended their mission in Afghanistan for 14 months and agreed to increase troop levels from 3,300 to 4,500.  Most of the German soldiers are located in the relatively calm north.  Germany hopes that the larger troop presence will give them more flexibility.

Oct. 7, 2008:  Taliban Spokesman Threatens Elections

Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, chief spokesman for the Taliban, vowed to attack polling stations and candidates in the upcoming presidential election.  Various allegations of corruption over the past months have tested the credibility of the Karzai government.  The upcoming summer elections do not appear to be bringing hope to Afghans.  Many feel that whoever America chooses to lead the country will “win” the election.

Oct. 8, 2008:  U.S. Defense Secretary Gates Seeks More European Troops

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates asked southeastern European countries to send more troops to Afghanistan.  These troops would not only be used to fight the resurgent Taliban, but to provide needed training to the Afghan military.  Gates estimated that he needed three more brigades – 10,000-12,000 troops.

Oct. 9, 2008:  U.S. Military Justifies August Attack

The August attack which killed a large amount of civilians, with estimates ranging from 33 to over 90, was a legitimate act of self-defense according to a U.S. military tribunal.  The decision made by the commander on the ground was the right one given the information had on-hand. Unfortunately, U.S. forces did not know that the militants had taken up defense positions in immediate proximity to many civilians.

Oct. 10, 2008:  NATO Urges Attacks against Drug Labs

NATO officials agreed to work with the Afghan police to root out drug labs and drug financing for the Taliban.  NATO used to focus on attacking opium production, now they will focus more on destroying the distribution networks.

Oct. 13, 2008:  British Interpreter Offers to Spy for Iran

The trial has begun for an Iranian-born British interpreter who allegedly sent a coded message to Iran offering to spy for them.  The interpreter denied sending two NATO situation reports to Iran through a coded USB device.  The man worked directly with British Gen. David Richards when he was the overall commander for ISAF.

Oct. 14, 2008:  Afghan General Says Militants Coming from Iraq

Afghan General Wardak said that American military successes in Iraq have pushed foreign insurgents into Afghanistan.  NATO officials estimate that violence has increased 30 percent from last year.

Oct. 15, 2008:  NATO Limits Air Strikes

In a move intended to decrease the number of civilian casualties caused by air strikes in Afghanistan, NATO officials asked their commanders to consider a tactical withdrawal when faced with the decision to call in air support in areas with known civilian populations.  The policy is a way to try to reverse the negative views of Afghan civilians towards NATO troops.

Oct. 21, 2008:  Taliban Force Mobile Network Shutdown

Taliban forced mobile phone companies in Ghazni province to turn off their mobile networks during the daytime. Taliban officials say that the mobile networks make it easier for foreign fighters to locate Taliban militants.

Oct. 26, 2008:  U.S. to Send More Troops

U.S. officials commented that they would send up to 9,000 troops to Helmand province next year.  It is unclear whether the troops will supplement or remove 5,000 British troops already in Helmand.

Oct. 28, 2008:  Pakistan and Afghanistan Agree to Cooperate

Officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to work together to negotiate with insurgent groups, including the Taliban.  Both sides hope to end violence in the war-torn border region.  The meeting was a follow up to the grand tribal jirga in August 2007.

Oct. 28, 2008:  U.S. Considers Taliban Talks

Senior U.S. military officials have considered meeting Taliban officials (excluding high-ranking leaders). They believe that working with the Taliban will help to quell violence in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region. The idea was supported by U.S. General Petraeus, who used a similar policy in Iraq by engaging Sunni tribes to help fight al-Qaida.

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