Troops Kill, Capture Insurgents in Afghanistan

American Forces Press Service

May 24, 2007 – Afghan and coalition forces killed several insurgents, detained eight suspects and discovered a weapons cache in Afghanistan over the past two days, military officials reported. In an operation against Taliban forces in the Arghandab district of Zabul province today, Afghan and coalition forces detained three militants.

Credible intelligence led forces to the compound where suspected local Taliban fighters resided, officials said. Troops raided the site, capturing three suspected local militants, weapons and opium-processing materials, military officials said.

No shots were fired, and no one was injured in the operation. The detainees are being held for questioning.

More than 25 Taliban fighters, positioned in three compounds, attacked coalition forces with machine-gun fire and rocket- propelled grenades near the Sangin District Center yesterday morning.

Coalition forces returned fire, suppressing the enemy fighting positions with artillery fire from a nearby coalition base. Enemy forces then attempted to maneuver on the coalition force, but failed to gain the tactical advantage.

Coalition forces killed several Taliban fighters and destroyed two enemy positions as enemies retreated after the six-hour battle.

There were no Afghan civilian or coalition injuries reported.

"The Taliban has learned they cannot stand up to coalition forces," said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokesman. "Their cowardly efforts to disrupt the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will continue to be crushed as efforts to rid the country of Taliban fighters' increases."

In the Qalat district of Zabul province yesterday, Afghan and coalition forces detained five militants in an operation against Taliban forces.

Acting on credible intelligence, troops raided a suspected al Qaeda safe-house and detained five local militants, military officials said.

No shots were fired and no one was injured in the operation. The detainees are being held for questioning.

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

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