Coalition Forces Kill, Detain Militants in Afghanistan

American Forces Press Service

Sept. 11, 2008 - Coalition forces killed several enemy fighters and detained three suspected militants during operations in Afghanistan's Ghazni and Khowst provinces yesterday, military officials reported. Coalition forces targeted a regional terrorist leader in Andar district, Ghazni province, who is suspected of facilitating the movement of foreign fighters into Afghanistan. He also is suspected to have close ties to senior Taliban commanders in the region, officials said.

When forces arrived, several men attempted to engage them. Coalition forces responded with small-arms fire, killing the militants. Coalition forces detained two suspected militants during the operation.

In Khowst province, coalition forces detained a suspected militant while conducting operations to disrupt the Haqqani terrorist network.

Coalition forces, targeting a Haqqani sub-commander who coordinates and facilitates roadside-bomb attacks in the area, searched a compound in Bak district. A search of the compound revealed multiple AK-47 assault rifles and other military equipment. These items were removed to prevent future use, officials said.

Elsewhere, coalition forces killed two militants Sept. 9 when they searched the compound of a Taliban sub-commander in Kapisa province.

The compound, located in the Tag Ab district, was a safe haven for a Taliban sub-commander who trafficked weapons to militants in the region, officials said. He also financed anti-coalition activities in Kapisa province.

As coalition forces approached, two armed militants exited the compound and attempted to move into an attack position. Coalition forces engaged both militants with small arms fire, killing them.

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