Coalition Forces Kill Three, Detain Four in Afghanistan

American Forces Press Service

Dec. 7, 2008 - Operations to disrupt the Hizb-e-Islami Gulbuddin terrorist network in Afghanistan's Kapisa province yesterday targeted a network commander known to facilitate the movement of weapons and foreign fighters into the area. During the operation, three militants armed with AK-47 assault rifles and other military equipment attempted to engage the force. Coalition forces responded with small-arms fire, killing them. A search of the compound revealed multiple AK-47s, pistols, hand grenades, and other military equipment, which were destroyed to prevent future use.

Four other suspected militants also were detained during the operation.

In other operations in Afghanistan, coalition forces killed two armed militants and detained five suspects during a Dec. 5 operation targeting the Taliban terrorist network in Paktika province.

Coalition forces searched a compound in Ziruk district, about 150 miles south of Kabul, targeting a local Taliban commander suspected of foreign-fighter and weapons facilitation. Intelligence suggests the commander also is responsible for coordinating and directing roadside bomb, suicide, and other attacks against innocent civilians, the Afghan government and coalition forces in effort to destabilize the region, officials said.

During the operation, coalition forces encountered two militants who attempted to engage the force. They responded with small-arms fire and killed them.

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