Afghan Policeman Fires on U.S. Soldiers, Kills 1

Troops return fire, killing attacker; others wounded

Afghan National Police officers, seen training with mock guns during a session with ISAF soldiers from the German Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) at the German army camp in Fayzabad, northern Afghanistan, Monday, Sept. 29, 2008. (Photo: Anja Niedringhaus / AP)

September 29, 2008

KABUL, Afghanistan — An Afghan policeman opened fire on U.S. troops inside a police station in eastern Afghanistan, killing an American soldier and wounding several other people, officials said Monday. …

The Americans and Afghans were on a joint patrol when they were attacked by a roadside bomb Sunday. No one was injured.

Militants observing the attack then fired on the Americans and Afghans before fleeing. After military fighter aircraft tracked down the militants, the soldiers apprehended them and tested them for explosives residue, the NATO official said. The suspects tested positive.

Seven detainees were then taken to the Afghan police station in the Jaji district center of Paktia, where the Afghan policeman opened fire.

The police officer wounded three or four American soldiers, an Afghan interpreter for the military and one of the detainees, the NATO official said. …

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Related report

Three U.S.-Led Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan

September 30, 2008

KABUL — Three soldiers from a U.S.-led coalition force in Afghanistan have been killed in a blast in the south of the country, the U.S. military said Tuesday.

Violence has surged in Afghanistan this year with about 3,000 people, at least 1,000 of them civilians, killed in the bloodiest year since U.S.-led and Afghan forces overthrew the Taliban in 2001.

This summer has also been the deadliest period for foreign troops in the country, with the militants launching more daring and deadly attacks.

“Three coalition service members were killed September 29 in southern Afghanistan when their vehicle struck an IED,” the U.S. military said in a statement, referring to an improvised explosive device, or roadside bomb. …

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IRAQ NEWS

U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq

As of Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008, at least 4,176 members of the U.S. military have died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.

Since the start of U.S. military operations in Iraq, 30,680 U.S. service members have been wounded in hostile action, according to the Defense Department’s weekly tally.

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U.S. Troop Casualties in Iraq

Latest identifications

Army Capt. Michael J. Medders, 25, Avon Lake, Ohio, died Sept. 24, 2008 in Jisr Naft, Baqubah, Iraq, of wounds suffered in a suicide bombing. He was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas.

Army Staff Sgt. Ronald Phillips Jr., 33, Conway, S.C., died Sept. 25, 2008 in Bahbahani, Iraq, after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Army Spc. Ja’mel A. Bryant, 22, Belleville, Ill., died Sept. 27, 2008 in Baghdad of injuries sustained in a vehicle accident while on patrol in Wahida, Iraq. He was assigned to the 40th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany.

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Security Developments in Iraq

Following are security developments in Iraq on Monday, Sept. 29, 2008 as reported by Reuters.

BAGHDAD – A U.S. soldier was killed by small-arms fire when his patrol was attacked in eastern Baghdad, the U.S. military said.

KIRKUK – One policeman and one civilian were wounded by a roadside bomb in Kirkuk, police said.

MOSUL – Gunmen killed two brothers working for the Iraqi security forces while they were off duty in western Mosul, 240 miles north of Baghdad, police said.

MOSUL – A car bomb wounded four people in Mosul, police said.

MOSUL – A body was found bearing gunshot wounds in eastern Mosul, police said.

MOSUL – A Sunni Arab tribal leader died on Monday of wounds inflicted by a bomb attached to his car that exploded on Sunday in Mosul, police said.

SAMARRA – A roadside bomb wounded the mayor of Samarra, Mahmoud Khalif, and four of his guards in central Samarra, 60 miles north of Baghdad, police said.

ISKANDARIYA – A roadside bomb killed one person and wounded three others when it struck their car in Iskandariya, 25 miles south of Baghdad, police said.

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AFTERNOON UPDATE

Car Bomb in Baghdad Kills 3

September 30, 2008

BAGHDAD — A parked car bomb targeted a restaurant in a mostly Shiite neighborhood in Baghdad on Tuesday, killing three people and injuring at least six others.

A U.S. soldier also was killed Tuesday by small-arms fire in northern Baghdad, the military said. The death raises to at least 25 the number of American troop deaths reported this month, up slightly from 23 recorded in August. …

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