Afghanistan War News Updates -- February 3, 2011

TEAM ZABUL - U.S. Army Pfc. Brian Jackson pulls security as members of the International Security Assistance Force return from the Shamulzai District Center, Afghanistan, Feb. 2, 2011. Jackson, assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul, traveled to Shamulzai to meet with Afghan forces and discuss district issues with the new district governor. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson

IED Poses Greatest Threat In Afghanistan -- Sydney Morning Herald

Of the 22 Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan in just under a decade, 12 have died as a result of the explosion of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) set by Taliban insurgents.

IEDs come in many shapes and sizes.

But in the simplest form, an IED comprises one of the ubiquitous yellow four-litre palm oil containers filled with fertiliser-based explosive, typically a mixture of ammonium nitrate and diesel fuel.
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Into that is inserted a detonator, attached to an electrical circuit comprising a battery and a switch.

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More News On Afghanistan

Australian troop killed in Afghanistan: officials -- AFP
Soldier, 22, latest victim of scourge of home-made bombs -- Sydney Morning Herald
Australian Corporal Richard Edward Atkinson killed in Afghanistan -- The Australian
Australian soldier killed by IED in Afghanistan; raises casualty toll to 22 -- Canadian Press/AP
US, Afghans hope to rout expected Taliban offensive -- Defense Web
Roadside bomb kills 5 civilians in N. Afghanistan -- Xinhuanet

Four in five Afghans have positive view of police, UN study says -- M&C
Afghan police 'nearly as unpopular as Taliban in south' -- The Guardian
UN: Reputation of Afghan police worsening in south -- Stars And Stripes/AP
UN survey says support for Afghan police drops in key southern provinces -- Canadian Press
UN: Reputation of Afghan police worsening in south -- CTV/AP

Afghan minister calls for Kabul Bank graft probe -- Yahoo News/AP
Afghan Minister Denies Allegations of Bribery -- Wall Street Journal
Afghan Minister Calls For Kabul Bank Probe -- Time Magazine
Finance minister seeks Afghan fraud inquiry -- Financial Times

Afghan president in India to discuss security -- Yahoo News/AP
India pledges more aid, investment for Afghanistan -- Yahoo News/AP
Family of fallen Texas Marine to adopt his war dog -- Scripps News
Kabul Palace: A Theatrically-Corrupt Fortress -- Salem News
Army weighs silk to help shield troops' pelvic areas from IEDs -- USA Today
Heavy rains hit Afghanistan -- MSNBC