April 1, 2012, Zabihullah Mujahid (supposed Taliban rep) claims they shot down a U.S./NATO/ISAF helicopter, killing 14 people.

Mujahid says they used an old Cold War era Soviet 82mm RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade). It happened in Ghazni Province.

Also in Ghazni Province, on April 2, at least three Afghan national police were wounded after their vehicle struck a mine.  Mujahideen are claiming responsibility.

On April 2, 2012, two explosions hit a town in Baghlan Province.  24 people, including 12 children, were wounded.  As is normal in attacks against civilians, no one claims responsibility.

Again on April 2, in Kandahar Province, a Afghan army vehicle patrol hit a mine (IED, roadside bomb).  One Afghan soldier was killed, three other wounded.

On April 1, an Afghan national police officer got into a shootout with suspected militants, in Kandahar City.  The cop was killed, as well as two suspects.

In Paktia Province, an unmarried woman was sentenced to death for having sex with a man!  The sentence came from tribal elders, who then executed her.

Local police have arrested her two brothers, saying they basically set her up.  There is some confusion, because the man the woman was accused of having sex with, might have been in jail in Kabul at the time.  Also, local police say those who did the actual execution have fled the area.

According to the UN’s Independent Human Rights Commission, about 15 murder cases and 24 suicide cases, involving women, were reported just in the province of Paktia in 2011.

In Uruzgan Province, at least 11 Afghan national police officers joined the anti-government Mujahideen. It happened on April 1. Government officials noticed they were short about a dozen cops and went looking for them.

A spokesman for local Mujahideen, Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, announced the cops had joined their operation, bringing all their government issued weapons with them.