Russian Military Site Exploded (Video): 4,000 tonnes of old munitions blown away

MOSCOW, Russia (Wed, Oct. 10) - Reported by madn3wz

Russian Military Site Exploded: 4,000 tonnes of old munitions blown away

A series of blasts at a Russian military site was reported on Tuesday afternoon that broke windows in 30km area and releasing huge clouds of smoke over the city of Orenburg near the Kazakhstan border.

About 4,000 tonnes of disposable arms, including 1,379 tons of 100-mm shells, 400 tons of bombs and 2,300 tons of 280-millimeter rockets of "Hurricane", exploded at the Donguz test site but no nuclear arms were involved in the explosion site, said Yevgeniya Maltseva, a spokesperson for the chief military investigative directorate.

Military prosecutor Yevgeny Ivanov said on state television that the explosions were set off by a fire that may have been caused by someone smoking. The shells were being transported in crates in preparation for future disposal.

Military officials have opened a criminal investigation into the suspected mishandling of weapons at the time of unloading.

Video footage showed a white mushroom-like huge cloud rising over the area that can been from miles away.

Although no casualties were reported, according to preliminary information, but one of the district hospitals in the Orenburg region reported that they received four injured victims from the site.
 
Russian military equipment, which frequently dates back to the Soviet era, has exploded unexpectedly several times at test sites in recent years. Some of the accidents have been blamed on violations of safety procedures.

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No comments from Saudi authorities as BBC report shows Saudi weapons in Syrian rebel base

ALEPPO, Syria (Tue, Oct. 09) - Reported by madn3wz

No comments from Saudi authorities as BBC report shows Saudi weapons in Syrian rebel base

Weapons and ammunition that were actually intended for the Saudi military have allegedly been diverted to Syrian rebel base, according to recently released video footage.

Three big crates, having almost 90 kgs of gross weight, from a Ukrainian arms manufacturer addressed to Saudi Arabia have been seen in a Syrian rebel base in the city of Aleppo - a stronghold of the so-called 'Free Syrian Army', BBC television reported.  

The presence of such weapons clearly suggests that some Persian Gulf countries are against the President Assad's regime and helping the rebels. 

Saudi Arabian authorities refused to comment on the issue. 

Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011 with organized attacks by well-armed gangs against Syrian police forces and border guards being reported across the country.

According to the report, the crates of ammunition found in an Aleppo mosque were made by the Ukrainian firm Dastan, Luhansk Cartridge Works (LCW), founded in 1895 and specializes in naval weapons and missile complexes. 

In Soviet Union times, the firm majorly supplied cartridges for Soviet military use but later on diversified into sports and hunting markets. One of its key exports is the 7.62mm cartridge used in the AK-47 semi-automatic rifle, which is used by both the Syrian army and rebels, the report said.  

The US daily, Washington Post, reported in May that the Syrian rebels and terrorist groups battling the President Bashar al-Assad's government have received significantly more and better weapons in recent weeks, a crime paid for by the Persian Gulf Arab states and coordinated by the United States.  

 Report Tags:

Syria, Syrian War, Syrian Rebels, Free Syrian Army, Saudi Weapon, Saudi Weapon in Syria,

Military Tension to Mount after North Korean Soldier Defected to South after Killing Two Officers

SEOUL, South Korea (Sat, Oct. 06) - Reported by madn3wz

A North Korean defected soldier reaches in South Korea after killing his two immediate officers and crossing  the countries’ heavily armed border on Saturday afternoon, reported by Associated Press (AP). 

Military Tension to Mount after North Korean Soldier Defected to South

According to further details emerged through South Korean defense ministry; the soldier shot his platoon and company commanders before crossing the western side of the Demilitarized Zone. He used a loudspeaker to let South Korean border forces know his intention, ministry statement said further.

The soldier has been under investigation in South Korea, as they motive of the defection is still unclear, but the South Korean officials didn't disclose the identity of the defected soldier.

Until the latest information; there's no extraordinary military movement was noticed on the North Korean side of the border after this incident. However, South Korea immediately instructed its border security forces to heighten their patrolling on the border, a South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff official said on the condition of anonymity.

There was no immediate response heard from communist North Korea's state-run media.

Report Tags:

North Korea, South Korea, North Korean Soldier Defected, Border between South and North Korea, Military, Associated Press, State-run Media 

Wednesday: Syrian civil war marks grim record of highest death toll in a single day

Damascus, Syria (Thu, Sept. 27) - The death toll in a single day was record high on Wednesday during the 18-month-old Syrian uprising.

Syrian civil war marks grim record of highest death toll in a single day

According to CNN; at least 343 casualties recorded yesterday which is the highest daily toll since the unrest erupted in March last year.

According to a British-based Syrian monitoring group; at least 30,000 people have died during Syria’s uprising spanned over one-and-half year.

The uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, which began in March 2011 as peaceful protests, has descended into civil war since rebels took up arms against a security force crackdown.

Regarding the recent alarming increase in civilian deaths, Rafif Jouejati - a spokesperson of Local Coordination Committess of Syria - said, "the regime is escalating the violence at every possible opportunity and it is proof that it is determined to crush the revolution by any means necessary."

"The staggering number (of deaths) are horrific but the world needs to know that there is increasing sexual torture (as well) and more children being tortured," said Jouejati.

Rami Abdulrahman, the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 30,716 people were killed. Most of them – at least 21,534 – were civilians. But his network of activists, who are based around Syria, do not divide their civilian death count between unarmed residents and those who have joined the rebels.

SOURCE:

CNN

Yahoo News

Report Tags:

Syria, Syria Uprising, Syria Revolt, Rami Abdulrahman, Syria Human Rights, Rafif Jouejati, Bashar al-Assad, Death Toll, Highest Death Toll

At least 11 killed in latest Mexico drug gang shootout

Mexico Gang Shootout: At least 11 dead including a soldier and woman

 

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (Thu, Sep 27) - According to Mexican authorities; atleast 11 people are reported killed Wednesday in a gunbattle between armed gangsters and army men near a church in southern Mexico.

 

At least 11 killed in latest Mexico drug gang shootout

The dead reportedly include a soldier and one woman along with 9 drug traffickers. Mexican Authorities report that weapons, including five AK-47 and five AR-15 assault rifles, some vehicles and bags of marijuana were also confiscated.

According to details; troops were patrolling in the town of Tepecoacuilco de Trujano in violence-hit Guerrero state, about 120 miles (200 kilometers) south of Mexico City, when they were attacked by a heavily armed group.

Guerrero is home to the popular resort city of Acapulco and has been the scene of an increasingly violent war between rival drug gangs fighting over turf and smuggling routes.

According to BBC News; more than 55,000 people have been killed since President Felipe Calderon launched a war on the drug cartels in 2006.

 

 

Report Tags:

 

Mexico, Mexico Drug War, Mexican Drug War, Mexico Shootout, Tepecoacuilco de Trujano, Mexico City, Acapulco

Afghanistan: 4 NATO soldiers killed in "insider" attack, second such attack in less than 24 hours

KABUL, Afghanistan (Sun, Sep. 16) - Four NATO troops were killed by a suspected Afghan policeman on Sunday, the US-led military said, in the latest apparent attack involving Afghan security forces killing their Western allies.

 

Afghanistan: 4 NATO soldiers killed in "insider" attack, second such attack in less than 24 hours

 

The international alliance ISAF (International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) says in a statement that the attack happened in the wee hours today in Helmand province, one of the strongholds of the Taliban-led insurgency.

This is the second such attack in less than 24 hours after two British soldiers, from 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, were killed in a similar “insider” shooting on Saturday.

Four ISAF "service members died today in southern Afghanistan following an insider attack suspected to involve members of the Afghan police", ISAF said in a statement.

According to Reuters; at least 51 foreign military personnel have been killed in "insider" attacks this year, attacks which have put a heavy strain on trust between the coalition and Afghanistan as they move towards handing security responsibility to Afghan forces by the end of 2014.

 

 

 

Report Tags:

 

Afghanistan, NATO Troops Killed, British Solidiers killed in Afghanistan, ISAF, NATO, Afghan Police, Insider attack, 

Military helicopter crash killed 7 in western Sudan

KHARTOUM, Sudan (Mon, Jul 16) – At least 7 military personnel were killed as a result of a chopper crash in western Sudan Monday afternoon, says Sudan's official news agency (SUNA).

Military helicopter crash killed 7 in western Sudan

According to details; the military chopper was on an "administrative mission" over the western region of Darfur, when it crashed because of technical fault killing seven out of nine on board. The two survivors were shifted to the military hospital.

Although army’s spokesperson Col. Sawarmy Khalid Saad has confirmed the death of seven officials; but no further information was released regarding the exact cause of crash and identities of officers killed in this tragic accident. 

The Darfur area has witnessed one of the bloodiest conflicts in the region. It began in 2003 when ethnic African rebels took up arms against the Arab-dominated Sudanese government they accused of discrimination and neglect. The U.N. says 300,000 people died and 2.7 million fled their homes.

Report Tags: Sudan, Helicopter crash, Military Helicopter crash, Chopper crash, Sudan helicopter crash, Sawarmy Khalid Saad, Darfur

Breaking News!! MI-17 Helicopter Crash Killed Five On Board Near Skardu Airport

SKARDU, Pakistan (Wed, Jul 11) – At least five people were killed in a military helicopter crash near Skardu Airport around 15:00 (PST) on Wednesday, Inter-Services Public Relation (ISPR) said today.

MI-17 Helicopter Crash Killed Five On Board Near Skardu Airport

According to details, the helicopter was an MI-17 of the Pakistan Army Aviation and was on its test flight with five on board including pilot and co-pilot. The helicopter was returning from Gayari sector (Siachen) when it crashed due to a technical fault.

The helicopter was completely damaged in the crash.

The initial reports suggest, the pilot of the chopper was trying to land the helicopter at the nearest airbase, but it crashed after catching fire.

Report Tags: Skardu, Pakistan, Helicopter crash, chopper crash, ISPR, MI-17, MI-17 Helicopter, Military, Pakistan Army Aviation, military helicopter

Nuclear-capable Hatf-VII (Babur) with stealth capabilities tested successfully by Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (Tue, Jun 05) – Pakistan today tested successfully yet another multi-tube, indigenously developed cruise missile, Hatf-VII or Babur, capable of carrying nuclear as well as conventional warheads and has stealth capabilities.

 

Nuclear-capable Hatf-VII (Babur) with stealth capabilities tested successfully by Pakistan

This was the 5th missile test by Pakistan within last two weeks. The latest Hatf-VII missile with a range of 700 km and can hit targets deep within India.

Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) have confirmed the successful test of Hatf-VII, which was conducted on an undisclosed location. 

"The test will consolidate Pakistan's strategic deterrence capability and further strengthen national security," the ISPR said in a statement. 

The Hatf-VII or Babur missile is a "low flying, terrain-hugging" weapon with "high maneuverability, pinpoint accuracy and radar avoidance features". 

As reported by the Express Tribune; the test was witnessed by Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman Gen Khalid Shameem Wynne, Strategic Plans Division Director General Lt Gen (retired) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, senior officers of the armed forces and strategic organizations and scientists. 

The President of Pakistan and Prime Minister hailed the scientists and engineers involved in this mission, the statement said. 

Report Tags: Hatf-VII, Cruise Missile, Babur Missile, Inter Services Public Relations, ISPR, Military, Missile Test, Successful Missile test, Nuclear-capable missile, 

SOURCE:

http://tribune.com.pk/story/389041/pakistan-test-fires-hatf-vii-babur-missile/

US N-submarine 'USS Miami' Fire -- Investigations started to find the cause: Rear Admiral Rick Breckenridge

WASHINGTON, DC (Fri, May 25) – After a 12-hour battle firefighters succeeded to douse a fire inside a nuclear-powered US Navy submarine in the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, officials said, but the fire has caused extensive damage.

US N-submarine 'USS Miami' Fire -- Investigations started to find the cause: Rear Admiral Rick Breckenridge

Seven people, including five firefighters, sustained minor injuries. All have been released from hospital after medical treatment.

The USS Miami, worth an estimated $900 million, was in the third month of a planned 20 months of maintenance at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

According to a statement from Rear Admiral Rick Breckenridge, commander of Submarine Group Two, the fire broke out just before 6 pm Wednesday on the USS Miami, an attack submarine docked at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, in Kittery, Maine.

The cause of the fire has not immediately been identified, Breckenridge said, but a thorough investigation is being carried out and will soon be found out.

“The fire spread to spaces within the submarine that were difficult to access. The heat and smoke contained in these confined spaces made it challenging for firefighters to combat the blaze,” Breckenridge said in another statement after the firefighters controlled the fire.

Report Tags: Rear Admiral Rick Breckenridge, Rick Breckenridge, USS Miami, US Submarine, U.S. nuclear submarine, Submarine on fire, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Military