Posted on 08/04/2007 11:12:59 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
Nato is reported to have killed at least two senior Taliban leaders in an airstrike north of Helmand as they were watching a public execution.
The bombing took place in the northern district of Baghran on Thursday, a district entirely controlled by the Taliban.
The Taliban's commander for southern Afghanistan, Mansoor Dadullah, was among those targeted, according to unconfirmed reports.
The Afghan Defence Ministry said that the airstrike took place as Taliban leaders gathered to watch the public hanging of several alleged government spies.
Dadullah replaced his older brother Mullah Dadullah Akhund after he was killed by the Special Boat Service (SBS) in Helmand on May 17th.
The younger Dadullah was interviewed by Channel 4 last week promising a wave of kidnaps of foreigners in the province. He threatened to have them beheaded by child executioners.
The Afghan defence ministry claimed that intelligence reports indicated the presence of Mansoor Dadullah at the targeted meeting. The senior Taliban commander for Helmand, Mullah Rahim, was also reported killed.
Doctors in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah reported that 20 people were admitted to the main hospital from Baghran district, ranging in age from eight to 50 years old, while Kandahar hospital also admitted 12 men.
Nasibullah, one of the injured, said the bomb hit a crowded market killing dozens of civilians and that no Taliban were in the area.
One military source, who did not wish to be named denied allegations of civilian casualties.
"We are 100 per cent clear that this was entirely Taliban. Those in hospital are fighting age males. This is the Taliban trying to cover the fact that they got caught out."
A statement put out by the US-led coalition in Afghanistan last night said that it had targeted two "notorious Taliban commanders": "During a sizable meeting of senior Taliban commanders, coalition forces employed precision-guided munitions on their location after ensuring there were no innocent Afghans in the surrounding area."
Nato has systematically targeted the Taliban leadership with airstrikes for the past year and claims to have seriously depleted the Taliban's command and control structure. According to figures collated by Western diplomats in Kabul, around 45 middle and high level Taliban commanders in Helmand have been killed to date.
Dadullah is da-dead?
Airstrike Kills Dozens of Taleban
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Foxnews is reporting this also.
He was attending an execution without knowing it was going to include him.....
Oh, the beautiful irony!
The excellent news keeps on coming from both theaters of war on terror, Iraq and Afghanistan.
How many Dadullah’s does this make? Another Moolah Dadullah bites the dust.
Funny, I didn’t hear a thing on NPR about it this morning........must not be true, then......
All NATO did was grant their wish; what a bunch of ingrates.
No, they are supplying ammunition to their allies, the Western Liberal Media.
ping
Isn't our MSM pathetic - Ugly, fact-less, agenda driven fools by and large -
The success that continues in Stan - Where the Taliban have had their as$ handed to them over the past 6 months like never before, even worse in some respects than in late 2001 - Yet this reality goes completely ignored and worse yet, spun by the MSM -
Ditto the constant negative spin (and lies) with regard to our mounting successes throughout Iraq -
It is every member of FR job to get these positive realities out (to family, friends and co-workers). Every member of FR should make certain to email GOP members of Congress...and demand they stand firm. An email or two a day to several members....
BLAM
BOOM
BumP!
A lib friend of mine doesn’t believe anything I say in regards to this matter. He simply refuses to believe any “good news”. He will not watch Fox news because “They lie about everything.” I’m afraid that that is the case with much of the country. Only the CNNBCBSABCNPRNYTLATSFC words get heard and so THAT is their REALITY.........
Here's Reuters' headline:
How in the world, at this late date, are there entire areas entirely controlled by the Taliban?
WHAT THE HELL HAVE WE BEEN DOING FOR THESE PAST SEVERAL YEARS? WHY ARE THESE LOONS STILL ALIVE?
My desperate attempts to support Bush are evolving into bitter resentment.
Warning to Afghan citizens if the Taliban comes your area, it is time for you and your family to leave quickly.
Of course there is a segment of "Libs" that are so emotionally invested in being dumb & wrong about this WOT/Iraq they don't want to see reality or be bothered by facts......But they are the minority by and large (but a sizable segment, I'll give you that).
Stay focused with touting our successes & progress though - To others, to co-workers and such. Don't be argumentative but pass along a worthy news story once a week or so.
The majority of the American public when properly informed and engaged most certainly does support this WOT/Iraq. They do support and understand we need to be successful.
The problem is this WH/RNC refused to understand or hold up their end of the current WOT/Iraq - That being the PR aspect of modern warfare. Since 04 the WH/RNC refused to put forth an effective, systematic and informative PR campaign touting our successes or touting why we must stay in this fight - It was all reactive by them....Never proactive / setting the premise.
However, that job now falls to everyday citizens. Keep people informed of our successes. Keep pressure on GOP representatives to stand firm.
History will be very kind to those that stood firm.
Enough talk, GIMME VIDEO...
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