Coalition Forces Target Taliban, Networks in Eastern Afghanistan

American Forces Press Service

Oct. 5, 2008 - Coalition forces killed five enemy fighters in operations Oct. 3, targeting al-Qaeda and Taliban terrorist networks in eastern Afghanistan. Coalition forces targeted a Taliban sub-commander in Andar district who is known to plan and coordinate bombing attacks in Ghazni province. He is also wanted for helping move foreign fighters into Afghanistan.

In Ghazni, coalition forces killed two armed militants. Coalition forces found several AK-47s and bomb-making materials at the compound.

In Konar, coalition forces called in air strikes on several enemy fighters as they approached a U.S. base. Three armed militants were killed. Forces searched the area and found several AK-47s, hand grenades and other military style equipment.

In other operations in Afghanistan, one civilian was killed and four others wounded in the village of Matin in Pech District, Konar province, yesterday when militants attacked an Afghan National Army and coalition forces patrol. The fighters shot at the joint forces patrol and fired rocket-propelled grenades. The enemy fighters also attacked the local village, according to officials. The body of the civilian was recovered. No coalition forces were wounded.

One enemy fighter blew himself up Oct. 2 as coalition forces targeted the Haqqani terrorist network in Khowst province. Coalition forces searched a compound for a known foreign fighter facilitator for the Haqqani terrorist network. As forces moved in, the suspect detonated a suicide vest, killing himself. No coalition forces were injured in the blast.

Also Oct. 2, Coalition forces detained four suspected militants during an operation targeting the Haqqani terrorist network in Khowst province.

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