Coalition Troops Kill 5 Taliban During Afghanistan Firefight

American Forces Press Service

Oct. 23, 2007 - Coalition forces in Afghanistan killed five Taliban militants during a firefight in the Jeldak district of Zabul province today. Acting on credible intelligence, coalition forces were searching a nomadic camp when they came under small-arms fire by Taliban militants. Coalition forces returned fire, killing five of the extremists.

"Coalition forces went to the Jeldak district to capture a senior Taliban commander in Zabul province," said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokesman. "The Taliban are known to use nomadic camps as staging bases for attacks, to include improvised explosive devices and ambushes against the peaceful people of Afghanistan and coalition forces."

Unfortunately, an Afghan child was killed and four other children were injured during the firefight.

"One of the militants attacked coalition forces from a tent in the camp. Coalition forces returned fire, killing the attacker," Belcher said. "After searching the tent where the militant fired at coalition forces, the body of a deceased child and four wounded children were discovered.

"Our sincerest condolences go out to the families of the deceased and wounded," Belcher said.

The wounded children and their adult escorts were evacuated to a medical facility for treatment. After completing a search of the area, coalition forces detained three suspected Taliban members.

Coalition forces also found several weapons and explosives during the search, which were destroyed to prevent future use by militant forces.

Yesterday, coalition forces detained five militants during an operation in Kandahar province. Intelligence sources indicated several militants were preparing to depart for an unknown location. Coalition forces were dispatched to intercept the militants.

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