Coalition Kills 32 Militants, Captures 10 Others in Afghanistan

American Forces Press Service

Nov. 26, 2008 - Coalition and Afghan forces killed 32 militants and captured 10 suspected militants today and yesterday during operations to disrupt terrorist networks in Afghanistan, military officials said. Coalition forces were fired on today while clearing a compound believed to be a command and control center for roadside bombs in Kandahar province. Forces returned fire, killing 15 insurgents and detaining six.

Also today, militants fired on coalition and Afghan forces with machine-gun and rocket-propelled grenade fire in Helmand province. The forces returned fire, killing seven militants. During the operation, forces protected more than 300 local villagers from enemy fire, officials said.

Forces searched the area and seized caches that included bomb-making materials, homemade explosives, mortar rounds and 175 pounds of opium.

Yesterday, coalition forces targeted a suspected senior Taliban commander in Paktia province. The man, believed to be a liaison between the al-Qaida and Taliban terrorist networks, is suspected of aiding movement of foreign fighters into Afghanistan, officials said.

Multiple militants, some of whom were barricaded inside the compound, attacked coalition forces with small-arms fire. Forces returned fire, killing five armed militants.

Elsewhere, coalition forces targeted a man in Paktia province suspected of being a sub-commander in the Haqqani terrorist network. The man is believed to be responsible for planning and conducting attacks against coalition forces in the region and moving terrorist weapons and supplies, officials said.

As coalition forces approached the targeted compound, two armed militants attacked them with small-arms fire. The forces returned fire, killing both men. Militants from inside the compound then fired on the forces, who directed people inside to surrender. Eight women and 11 children left the building unharmed and were moved to a safe location.

After the small-arms fire continued, forces returned fire, killing three militants and capturing four other suspected militants. Forces seized multiple weapons inside the compound.

(Compiled from U.S. Forces Afghanistan news releases.)