#cjsotf

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan- Taliban fighters in Khakrez District of Kandahar province fired a rocket-propelled grenade and three mortars at the district center Oct. 9, killing a young girl. The rocket struck near the front gate of the district center in Khakrez where the child was playing. Shrapnel from the rocket struck the child in the abdomen and legs causing severe bleeding. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, the child died shortly after the attack. Taliban fighters continue to disregard the safety of Afghan citizens with attacks such as this. The inability of Taliban to sustain attacks against Afghan National Security Forces causes them to rely on weapons, such as rockets, mortars, and roadside bombs that do not discriminate between their intended targets and civilians. “The child [body] was returned to her family and her funeral was held the morning of the next day [Oct. 10],” said Khakrez District Gov. Mohammad Yousef.

(Article by Staff Sergeant Brandon McIntosh, CJSOTF-A. 12 OCT 2013.)

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LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan- Logar Provincial Governor Arsala Jamal was killed at a mosque in Pul-e Alam district, Logar province, Oct. 15. The provincial governor was speaking during the morning service at Jamé Mosque in celebration of the start of Eid al-Aldha when a previously placed improvised explosive device detonated near the stage. Both he and his two bodyguards were killed.  Arsala Jamal had recently assumed office as the Logar provincial governor in April. He was a strong supporter of traditional Afghan systems and good governance throughout the province. During his tenure as the Khost provincial governor, he demonstrated similar attributes, leading to his move to Logar as the provincial governor. Prior to this incident, five attempts had been made on his life.  Provincial National Defense of Security Director Brig. Gen. Amanullah, who was also inside of the mosque, received minor injuries during the explosion.  Approximately 14 Afghan civilians were injured during the attack.  Mohammed Hashim Faizi, the Logar deputy provincial governor, is now the acting provincial governor. A native to the province, he was introduced as the deputy provincial governor in January.  No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. The incident remains under investigation.

Do you see what I see?

A coalition force member maintains security during a presence patrol in Farah province, Afghanistan. Afghan National Security Forces have been taking the lead in security operations, with coalition forces as mentors, to bring security and stability to the people of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

(Photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau, 13 DEC 2012.)

Even the golf cart operates.

Coalition special operations forces on presence patrol in Farah province, Afghanistan.

(American Forces Press Service, 9 DEC 2012. Source.)

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta today paid tribute to the special operations service member killed in the rescue of an American in eastern Afghanistan yesterday.

The Taliban abducted the man Dec. 5 near the Sarobi district of Afghanistan's Kabul province. His name is being withheld.

Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, the NATO and U.S. commander in Afghanistan, ordered the rescue when intelligence indicated the man was in imminent danger of injury or death. ISAF officials said it was a joint U.S.-Afghan rescue.

An American special operator was killed during the rescue mission.

Obama said the rescue was characteristic of the extraordinary courage, skill and patriotism that U.S. troops show every day. "Tragically, we lost one of our special operators in this effort," the president said in a written statement. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, just as we must always honor our troops and military families. He gave his life for his fellow Americans, and he and his teammates remind us once more of the selfless service that allows our nation to stay strong, safe and free."

Panetta also issued a statement commending the U.S special operations team for the rescue and extending his condolences to the family, teammates and friends of the fallen warrior.

"The special operators who conducted this raid knew they were putting their lives on the line to free a fellow American from the enemy's grip," Panetta said. "They put the safety of another American ahead of their own, as so many of our brave warriors do every day and every night.

Story time.

Radio disc jockey Hikmat Khan Niazai reads to listeners during an afternoon program at The Voice of Chamkani Radio station in Paktiya province, Afghanistan. The radio station is the first district run radio station contributing to the local economy and providing education through its daily programming.

Sheepdoggin'.

[Top] A coalition member prepares to safely destroy explosives found while conducting an operation in Pul-e'Alam district, Logar province, Afghanistan. 

[Bottom] A coalition member secures a rocket-propelled grenade in the backpack of another coalition member. Afghan and coalition security forces arrested a Taliban facilitator during an operation in Pul-e'Alam district, Logar province, Afghanistan, Sept. 10, 2012.

The arrested Taliban facilitator directed several insurgent cells in the region, providing weapons and instruction for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.The Taliban facilitator also enforced Taliban law and is believed to have overseen the execution of several Afghan civilians. The security force also detained nine suspected insurgents and seized and safely destroyed several weapons, rocket-propelled grenades and more than a dozen kilograms (30 pounds) of explosive as a result of this operation.

(Photographer unknown, 10 SEP 2012.)

The path of the Jedi.

Coalition force members prepare to conduct village stability operations in Khak-E-Safed, Farah province, Afghanistan, Oct. 20, 2012. Afghan National Security Forces have been taking the lead in security operations, with coalition forces as mentors, to bring security and stability to the people of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.