Note: The following text is a quote:
https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=91637
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Warden Message: Sri Lanka Suicide Attack
CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS
South / Central Asia - Sri Lanka
7 Oct 2008
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INCREASING VIOLENCE IN SRI LANKA
U.S. Embassy Colombo released the following Warden Message on October 7:
On October 6 at approximately 8:45 am, a suicide bombing took place in Anuradhapura during the opening of an office of the United National Party (UNP), killing retired Major General Janaka Perera and Dr. Rajah Johnpulle, who appear to have been the primary targets. In total, 28 people were killed and more than 80 wounded.
Attacks of this nature against high-profile political events have occurred in the past, and the Embassy urges American citizens to avoid such events whenever possible. Although the attack occurred in Anuradhapura, a city frequented by foreign tourists, there is no indication that foreigners were targeted as attacks of this kind have occurred throughout the country.
As always, the Embassy reminds American citizens to continue to be aware of their surroundings and vigilant about their personal security. Americans are advised to be on alert if visiting government facilities and public venues. Americans should also continue to avoid military installations, government and military convoys traveling on the roads and, where possible, government buildings, as they have in the past been targets for LTTE violence. There are likely to be traffic disruptions as Sri Lankan security forces increase their security checks. Americans are again reminded to cooperate fully with Sri Lankan security forces as they implement increased security measures.
For additional information, please refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” found at http://travel.state.gov. Americans living or traveling in Sri Lanka are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration website. The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Colombo is located at 210 Galle Road. The telephone number is 011 94 11 249-8500. The number for after-hours emergencies is 011 94 11 249-8888. The fax number is 011 94 11 249-8501. The Consulate’s e-mail address is consularcolombo@state.gov and its Internet web page is http://srilanka.usembassy.gov.
U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State’s latest Country Specific Information and Travel Warning for Sri Lanka, and the Worldwide Caution, available at http://travel.state.gov. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=514
Iraqi Forces Capture Key Insurgent Leaders, Rescue Kidnap Victims
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21, 2006 – Iraqi forces captured two key insurgent leaders in Baghdad yesterday and rescued five kidnap victims in separate operations Aug. 18 and 19 in different areas of Iraq, U.S. military officials reported.
Iraqi army forces conducted simultaneous, precision raids on three objectives in southern Baghdad yesterday, capturing two key insurgent leaders as part of Operation Together Forward.
As coalition advisers supported, Iraqi forces captured these two insurgents without incident at a residence in the Rasheed district. Both men exercise control over all death squad activity in the Dora, Sahha and Abu D’Shair districts in Baghdad, officials said. One of these individuals also allegedly controls a Baghdad “husainiyah,” or Shiite religious center, where he tortures and kills Iraqi citizens.
Four other suspicious individuals also were detained during this operation.
Elsewhere, soldiers from 5th Battalion, 6th Iraqi Army Division, rescued a kidnapped woman from a house in Karkh at about 4 p.m. Aug. 19.
A woman who claimed she had been kidnapped entered the Iraqi soldiers’ office and led them to a house nearby, where she said another kidnapped woman was inside. The soldiers raided the house and found the other woman and two kidnappers.
Soldiers arrested the kidnappers, and the women were released unharmed.
In another operation, Iraqi army soldiers conducted a raid and rescued a kidnap victim after receiving a tip from a concerned Iraqi citizen that led them to a location in Baghdad’s Adhamiyah neighborhood Aug. 18.
The Iraqi citizen led soldiers from 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, to a house where the victims and a weapons cache were located.
Inside the building they seized two rocket-propelled-grenade launchers, 20 RPG rounds, nine RPG propellant charges, an AK-47, two sniper rifles and 12 hand grenades. Two suspected terrorists were detained in connection with the kidnapping.
In a separate event, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers rescued three kidnap victims after receiving a tip from an Iraqi citizen southeast of Baghdad Aug. 18.
Soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, were approached by a young man who informed an interpreter that there were kidnap victims inside a nearby house.
The soldiers moved to the house, where they found three victims tied up, blindfolded and lying on the floor with a kidnapper watching over them. Soldiers entered the house and rescued the victims and detained the kidnapper.
(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)