Raids Net Bomb Components, Suspects in Afghanistan

American Forces Press Service

April 25, 2007 – A series of joint Afghan-coalition raids conducted over the past few days in southern Afghanistan have netted weapons, bomb-making components and suspects, according to U.S. military news releases. Afghan and coalition forces found improvised explosive device-making components and ammunition during an early-morning raid on a suspected militant safe house yesterday.

Another raid performed the same day targeted a local Islamic school, which was suspected of harboring extremists. Both raids were conducted in the Garboz district of Khowst province.

Two suspected militants were detained as a result of the operations, officials said. The seized ammunition and explosive material was destroyed.

"Enemies of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan continue to place innocent people in harm's way by conducting illegal activities within common living areas and schools, placing women and children at risk," coalition spokesman Army Maj. Chris Belcher said.

Intelligence indicated the compounds were harboring terrorist facilitators operating in Khowst province who posed a serious threat to peace and stability in Afghanistan, Belcher said.

None of the children at the school were harmed in the operation, officials said. No one was injured, and no shots were fired at either raid location.

Another joint Afghan-coalition forces raid resulted in the detention of two suspected militants in Paktika province April 23.

Information led the combined force to a compound of buildings suspected of sheltering weapons smugglers working for the Haqqani network, officials said. The smuggled weapons are suspected of being used against coalition forces and peaceful Afghans in the area.

During the operation, one inhabitant fled the compound and was soon apprehended by combined forces unharmed. The other inhabitants surrendered and were not harmed. No shots were fired, and no injuries were reported as a result of the operation, officials said.

(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 82 news releases.)

Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.