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Two killed as NATO tankers, containers blown up in Pakistan

NATO soldier dies in Afghanistan
Kabul (AFP) Sept 23, 2010 - A NATO soldier was killed Thursday in an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan, the commander of international forces said, which brings the death toll to 533 this year. "An International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) servicemember died following an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan today," ISAF said in a statement. The nationality of the soldier was not disclosed in line with ISAF policy to allow the relevant national authorities to make casualty notifications and announcements.

The latest death brings to 533 the number of foreign soldiers killed in military operations in Afghanistan since the beginning of the year, according to an AFP count based on independent website icasualties.org. On average, two foreign soldiers die each day in Afghanistan. In 2009, 521 soldiers were killed, which was already far ahead of previous years and the highest since the Taliban regime were toppled after an international military coalition led by America, at the end of 2001. But in barely nine months, the number of deaths surged past the 2009 toll, making this year even more deadly, as forces confronted an intensification of insurgent fighting in the last three years. On Tuesday, 10 soldiers died, including nine who were killed when their helicopter crashed in southern Afghanistan.
by Staff Writers
Peshawar, Pakistan (AFP) Sept 23, 2010
Militants Thursday blew up four oil tankers and three containers carrying fuel and other supplies for NATO troops in Afghanistan, killing two people, officials said.

The incidents took place in the Khyber tribal region near the Afghan border, top local administration official Shafeerullah Khan told AFP.

"A bomb planted underneath an oil tanker exploded while it was on the move in a market in Landi Kotal town of Khyber turning the vehicle into a ball of flame, which also engulfed four nearby vehicles and killed two people," Khan said.

He blamed the attacks, which also wounded 11 people, on local militants.

The lawless Khyber is on the main NATO supply route through Pakistan into Afghanistan, where 150,000 foreign forces are battling to reverse an escalating Taliban insurgency.

Khan said militants also blew up three oil tankers and four containers carrying fuel and other supplies for NATO troops. "These vehicles were parked in Torkhum town at the time of attack", he added.

Local intelligence officials in Khyber also confirmed the attacks and casualties.

NATO supplies also travel through the southwestern province of Baluchistan, which is troubled by Taliban violence and attacks by separatists who rose up in 2004 demanding autonomy and a greater share of profits from natural resources

earlier related report
Czechs to send up to 200 more soldiers to Afghanistan
Prague (AFP) Sept 23, 2010 - The Czech Republic will boost its contingent in Afghanistan next year to about 700 soldiers from the current 535, the defence ministry told AFP on Thursday.

"We are talking about a figure close to 700 soldiers for next year, while the mandate for this year was 535," said Jan Pejsek, head of the ministry's press department.

The CTK news agency on Thursday quoted Defence Minister Alexandr Vondra as saying the figure may reach up to 730 in the end.

But Pejsek said no exact figure had been set as the proposal was still subject to approval by the cabinet, which would receive it in early October, and by the parliament.

Vondra said earlier this month he wanted to cut Czech troop numbers in Kosovo this year to 90 from the 270 who are deployed there now, and to "adequately" boost Czech presence in Afghanistan where Czech soldiers "are undoubtedly needed and will be needed for about three more years".

Most Czech soldiers deployed in Afghanistan work in a provincial reconstruction team in the eastern Logar province.



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THE STANS
US expects no big changes to Afghan war strategy: Gates
Washington (AFP) Sept 23, 2010
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday said he expected no major changes to war strategy in Afghanistan when the government carries out a review in December. "I have not gotten a sense from my conversations with people that any basic decisions or basic changes are likely to occur" in the review, Gates told a news conference. "I suspect that we will find some areas where we can mak ... read more







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