Afghanistan War News Updates -- October 31, 2012

An Afghan soldier watches a coalition force member use his radio during an Afghan-led security patrol to deny the enemy freedom of movement in Khak-E-Safed in Afghanistan's Farah province, Oct. 30, 2012. Afghan forces have been taking the lead in security operations, with coalition forces as mentors, to bring security and stability to the country's residents. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau

Taliban Hits Region Seen As ‘Safest’ For Afghans -- New York Times

BAMIAN, Afghanistan — The war has finally found Bamian, a remote corner of Afghanistan that for a decade had enjoyed near immunity to Taliban violence.

As the American troop surge peaked over the past two years, Taliban insurgents began contesting parts of this central province, flowing in from more embattled areas of the country. And now, a series of deadly strikes in recent months has intimidated residents and served notice that roads are unsafe and government officials are targets.

That it has happened in Bamian — known for its rugged beauty, nascent skiing industry and the ancient Buddha statues that once kept vigil here — has added to the sense that nowhere in Afghanistan can be considered safe. And that, Afghan and Western analysts say, is a crucial part of the Taliban’s strategy in coming here.

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More News On Afghanistan

Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leader -- US Defense Department
Two British Gurkhas shot dead by insurgent wearing Afghan police uniform in Helmand -- Daily Mail
Apparent Afghan insider attack kills NATO troops -- CBS/AP
Two international soldiers killed by Afghan in uniform -- L.A. Times
Ghurkas killed in Afghanistan insider attack -- ABC News (Australia)
Ministry confirms British soldiers killed -- UPI
Two British soldiers shot dead in Afghanistan -- BBC
Afghan roadside bombings kill 17 civilians: officials -- AFP
Afghanistan Helmand roadside bomb kills 10 civilians -- BBC
Women among victims of Afghanistan attacks -- Al Jazeera
Rangers awarded medals for Afghanistan heroics -- Army Times
Afghanistan Sets Presidential Vote for 2014 -- Wall Street Journal
Afghanistan: Presidential Election Set For April 2014 -- Huffington Post/AP
Afghan parliament paralysed by Hajj trips -- The Telegraph
Afghanistan's female powerhouses: a rapper, a colonel and 'mother' to hundreds -- NBC
Afghanistan's need for reform: We have seen the enemy, and it is our anecdotes -- Frances Z. Brown, Foreign Policy
US military deaths in Afghanistan at 2,015 -- Mercury News/AP