Suicide bomber kills deputy Afghan intelligence chief
The bomber detonated in a mosque in Laghman province in eastern Afghanistan, killing 23, including the leader of the provincial council. The Taliban took credit for the attack.
Category Archives: Long War Journal
Pakistani military launches operation in Khyber
The government claimed 40 extremists were killed and 43 captured, and three bases were destroyed. Past operations have failed to dislodge the Lashkar-e-Islam and the Taliban.
US, Afghan forces strike Haqqani Network bases
Scores of Haqqani Network fighters have been killed during assaults on the terror group’s bases in Khost and Paktika in eastern Afghanistan.
15 policemen killed in Swat suicide attack
The suicide bomber entered the training grounds at the Special Police Training Center in Mingora and detonated his vest. The attack is the latest in a string of attacks targeting Pakistan’s security forces.
Pakistan Taliban take credit for Khyber suicide attack
The Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan’s new spokesman said the attack was aimed at the US. Zawahiri continues the call for jihad in Pakistan.
Suicide bomber kills 22 border guards at Torkham crossing in Pakistan
A teenaged bomber targeted the guards as they broke the Ramadan fast. Hakeemullah Mehsud pulled off his first major attack as the new leader of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan.
US strikes Taliban compound in South Waziristan, 8 killed
The strike in Kanigoram is the second in that village this year. Eight Taliban fighters were killed in today’s strike. Waliur Rehman Mehsud was the target of the attack.
New Taliban chief threatens US
Hakeemullah Mehsud said he would avenge Baitullah’s death and would strike at the US. He has a history of successfully carrying out high-profile attacks inside Pakistan.
Baitullah Mehsud dead; Hakeemullah new leader of Pakistani Taliban
Hakeemullah and Waliur Rehman Mehsud confirmed that Baitullah died of wounds suffered in the Aug. 5 Predator strike. Waliur said Hakeemullah is the new Taliban leader.
Al Qaeda takes credit for last week’s Baghdad bombings
The terror group said the goal of the attacks was to destroy the Iraqi people’s faith in the government.
Afghan National Army Air Corp (ANAAC) Order of Battle update: August 2009
An update of the status of the Afghan ANAAC. The total cost of building the ANAAC is approximately $5 billion. 
Taliban leader challenges appointment of Hakeemullah Mehsud as group’s leader
Waliur Rehman Mehsud claimed Baitullah deputed him to lead the Pakistani Taliban two months ago and also claimed that the Taliban council would name a new leader within five days. While a leadership struggle exists, reports of open fighting within the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan are incorrect.
Hakeemullah Mehsud appointed the new leader of Pakistani Taliban
Hakeemullah was appointed by the Taliban shura just days after Faqir Mohammed named himself the temporary leader of the group. The appointment gives new weight to claims that Baitullah was killed during an Aug. 5 Predator strike.
Philippine police detain terror group leader
Khalil Pareja, the leader of the Rajah Solaiman Movement, a group of Catholics who converted to Islam, was detained after police surrounded his hideout. The group has been behind some of the most deadly terror attacks in the Philippines.
Senior al Qaeda leader leaves Pakistan, directs Iraq operations from Syria
Longtime jihadi religious and military leader Sheikh Issa al Masri left North Waziristan in Pakistan to aid in the revival of al Qaeda in Iraq’s network inside Syria.
US Predators target the Haqqanis in North Waziristan
Two Hellfire missiles targeted a senior Haqqani Network commander and an al Qaeda operative in a town that is home to the Haqqanis’ main madrassa.
Faqir Mohammed takes command of Pakistani Taliban
Faqir said the move is temporary as Baitullah Mehsud is alive but recovering from an illness. Muslim Khan has been named the new spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban after Maulvi Omar was captured on Monday.
Baghdad bombings kill 75 as US prepares to release all members of an Iranian terror group
The coordinated bombing attack took place outside of government ministries and also included mortar attack. The US will free all members of the League of the Righteous.
Taliban suicide bomber strikes in Kabul as election looms
A suicide bomber struck a NATO convoy on Jalalabad Road, killing UN and NATO personnel. Another suicide attack took place in Uruzgan as the Taliban step up attacks nationwide in an effort to disrupt the Aug. 20 election.
Pakistani Taliban’s top spokesman captured in Mohmand
Maulvi Omar and two aides were reportedly detained while traveling in the Taliban-run tribal agency. A senior Taliban leader was captured in Islamabad.
‘Good’ Pakistani Taliban leader vows to fight US in Afghanistan
Haji Turkistan Bhittani reaffirmed his loyalty to Mullah Omar and wants to continue the fight in Helmand province after his Taliban rivals are eliminated. Bhittani is backed by the Pakistani state.
South Waziristan Taliban groups clash – report
Forces loyal to Baitullah Mehsud reportedly ambushed a convoy of Mullah Nazir’s fighters as they traveled to Wana, killing 17 fighters. Baitullah’s spokesman denied involvement.
Pakistani Taliban regroup in Malakand
Two policemen have been beheaded and a local politician has been kidnapped as the Taliban continue to consolidate positions in regions outside of Swat.
Hamas and al Qaeda-linked group clash in Gaza
Hamas attacked the Jund Ansar Allah after the group’s leader declared an Islamic emirate in Rafah. Thirteen were reported killed, including the leader of Hamas’ military wing and Jund Ansar Allah’s leader and military commander.
Anti-Taliban tribal leaders assassinated in Pakistan’s northwest
Pro-government tribal leaders in South Waziristan and Bajaur were killed in attacks. Tribes are forming anti-Taliban militias in Lakki Markat and Kohistan. The Pakistani military attacks Taliban bases in Kurram and Arakzai.
Taliban groups reportedly clash in South Waziristan
Turkistan Bhittani, a leader of an anti-Baitullah Mehsud Taliban group, claimed that more than 60 were killed in a battle with Baitullah’s forces in the frontier town of Jandola. The report is unconfirmed.
Indonesian police confirm Noordin Mohammed Top is alive
DNA tests proved the leader of a Jemaah Islamiyah and al Qaeda-linked terror group was not killed during last week’s raid in Java. Another terrorist who aided in the attacks was the man killed by police.
US kills 14 in strike on Taliban training camp in South Waziristan
The attack took place in the Ladha region, where the Taliban reportedly have been meeting.
Taliban, Pakistani military clash in North Waziristan
The Taliban claimed 32 troops were killed during the battle; the military said 11 Taliban fighters were killed.
Taliban debunk claim of battle at shura meeting in South Waziristan
The government and a Taliban rival claimed that Hakeemullah Mehsud and Waliur Rehman killed each other at a meeting to decide on Baitullah Mehsud’s successor. Later Hakeemullah and Waliur spoke to the media and denied a clash took place, and claimed Baitullah is still alive.