Troops Kill, Capture Militants, Destroy Weapons, Drugs in Afghanistan

American Forces Press Service

May 27, 2008 - Coalition troops killed several enemy fighters, detained nine others, and destroyed caches of weapons and drugs in Afghanistan today, military officials said. During a coalition forces operation to disrupt anti-government operations in Paktia province, troops killed several militants and captured nine others.

An unknown number of enemy fighters engaged coalition troops who were searching several compounds in Zurmat district. Forces responded with small-arms fire and air strikes. The troops also seized and destroyed several rocket-propelled grenades, assault rifles and other equipment.

Elsewhere in Afghanistan today, coalition forces searched several compounds in the Garmsir district of Helmand province, targeting a Taliban leader involved with weapons smuggling and other operations in the area.

During the search, several militants engaged coalition forces, who responded with small-arms fire, killing the enemy fighters. Troops later discovered and destroyed a narcotics cache.

(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 101 news releases.)