Afghan, Coalition Forces Detain Six, Uncover Weapons Cache

American Forces Press Service

Oct. 30, 2007 - Afghan and coalition forces detained six suspected insurgents during an operation in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, early this morning. Intelligence reports led the forces to a compound suspected of housing the militants. One of the detainees is suspected of being a Taliban improvised-explosive-device facilitator. Also found in the compound were significant amounts of bomb-making material, weapons and ammunition.

The suspected insurgents were taken to a military detention facility for processing and subsequently handed over to Afghan authorities. Coalition forces believe this arrest will disrupt the flow of explosive-device materials to other insurgents in Kandahar City.

"Afghan national security forces continue to get stronger and more proficient as they continue to conduct counterinsurgency operations." said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokesman.

In other operations, coalition forces killed several militants and detained five Oct. 28 in Kunar province in an effort to disrupt al Qaeda foreign fighters and weapons-facilitation networks in the area.

Coalition forces conducted a search of a compound in the Asadabad district where intelligence reports indicated al Qaeda facilitators were operating.

Upon reaching the compound, coalition forces called for the occupants to come out. Several militants fled the compound while an unknown number remained in the buildings, threatening the coalition forces. The coalition forces engaged the militants outside the compound area with small-arms fire and conventional munitions, as well as engaging the hostile militants inside the compound with small arms. Several armed militants were killed during the engagements.

After hostilities ceased, coalition forces searched the buildings on the compound and detained five suspected militants. Coalition forces also recovered several weapons in the compound where they were destroyed in place to prevent further use by militant forces.

"Coalition forces will pursue every avenue to prevent the resurgence of al Qaeda's violent influence on the people of Afghanistan," Belcher said. "No effort will be spared as we continue to dismantle their already faltering extremist networks so the Afghan people can one day be free to choose their own destiny."

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