Coalition, Afghan Forces Kill Scores of Militants, Capture Several Others

American Forces Press Service

June 23, 2008 - Coalition troops and Afghan security forces killed scores of militants and captured more than a dozen others during operations across Afghanistan over the past several days, military officials said. Several militants were killed, and 11 were detained during three separate coalition operations conducted in Helmand and Ghazni provinces yesterday.

-- Coalition forces searched compounds in the Reeq district of Helmand province, targeting a militant leader known to facilitate foreign-fighter operations and weapons smuggling. Coalition forces identified a group of armed militants maneuvering against the force and responded with small-arms fire. In another area, a militant fired at coalition forces from a building. Several militants were killed and detained in the engagements. Coalition forces discovered AK-47 rifles, ammunition and ammunition vests. The weapons and ammunition were destroyed.

-- Coalition forces detained two suspected militants during a separate operation in the Andar district of Ghazni province.

-- Afghan and coalition forces killed several militants during operations in the Sangain district of Helmand province. Afghan troops on security patrol spotted a three-man mortar team near a village. The enemy attacked the Afghan patrol with small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. After a firefight, the militants fled to a nearby residence and used it as a fighting position. Afghan and coalition forces waited until all women and children had left the area before calling in an air strike that killed the militants. Two fortified enemy positions were destroyed.

In other news, coalition troops patrolling the Zerok district of Paktika province pounded a group of anti-Afghan government militants June 20. About 55 militants were killed, 25 were wounded, and three were detained as the result of coalition ground and aerial attacks, officials said. The battle occurred along the main road between Zerok and Orgun districts. The coalition attack was in response to a recent ambush by the enemy in the area. Coalition patrols continue to report additional enemy casualties, including the deaths of three key militant leaders.

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