Forces Kill 30 Militants, Find Weapons Caches in Afghanistan

American Forces Press Service

Sept. 9, 2007 - Afghan and coalition forces killed more than 30 suspected militants during an operation yesterday in Afghanistan's Helmand province. The combined force suspected targeted compounds, located in the Garmser district, were providing sanctuary to anti-coalition militants. Precision munitions were employed to destroy the buildings, which had fortified fighting positions and interlocking tunnels.

Afghan and coalition forces found large weapons caches in three buildings and smaller caches in other buildings. The caches included rockets, anti-tank rockets, and an improvised explosive device, all of which were destroyed by a coalition air strike.

"Militants who obtain and keep weapons like these put the people of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in danger," said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokesman.

Elsewhere in Afghanistan yesterday, Afghan and coalition forces detained two suspected militants during an operation in Andar district of Ghazni province. Intelligence reports led the forces to the compounds, which were suspected of housing violent extremists. The detainees will be questioned as to their involvement in extremist activities.

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