Eight Suspects Captured in Afghanistan; Weapons Cache Found

American Forces Press Service

March 22, 2007 – Coalition forces in Afghanistan captured eight suspected terrorists and discovered a weapons cache today. Afghan forces, with coalition advisors, captured five suspected extremists during an operation this morning at a compound near Asadabad in Konar province.

The operation targeted extremist facilitators suspected of helping militant fighters enter Konar province from Bajaur Agency in neighboring Pakistan, military officials said.

Nearby Afghan National Police members also arrived on scene shortly after the operation began. To prevent possible misunderstanding between police and military forces mixing in the compound, and due to the military nature of the targets, Afghan military personnel retained control of the operation. No shots were fired, and there were no injuries reported as a result of the operation.

During an operation this morning near Gereshk in Helmand province, Afghan and coalition forces detained two suspected extremists.

These arrests were the latest in a string of successful operations by Afghan and coalition forces targeting known militant groups in the area, primarily members of the ousted Taliban regime.

Elsewhere in Afghanistan today, Afghan and coalition forces arrested one person at a compound in Khost province after uncovering a small weapons cache and other contraband items.

The combined force detained one adult Afghan male after discovering several AK-47 assault rifles, various other firearms, hand grenades, rocket-propelled grenades and materials used for detonating explosives.

The inhabitants of the target compound, who complied with a request for peaceful surrender, were not harmed.

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