Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill 10 Militants, Detain Six

American Forces Press Service

Feb. 25, 2009 - Afghan forces, aided by coalition troops, killed 10 militants and detained six suspected insurgent fighters today and yesterday, military officials reported. Afghan National Army and coalition forces killed 10 militants yesterday in the Shaheed Hasas district of Afghanistan's Oruzgan province.

The combined forces were conducting a routine patrol when they came under small-arms, mortar and rocket-propelled-grenade fire. They returned fire, killing a militant.

After ensuring no noncombatants were in the area, the combined forces called in a precision strike, which killed nine insurgents.

Afghan soldiers also seized a weapons cache containing bomb-making materials and machine gun ammunition.

No Afghan soldiers, coalition forces or noncombatants were injured.

In Kandahar province today, Afghan National Police and coalition forces detained six suspected militants.

In the province's Maywand district, combined forces conducted an operation to disrupt a bomb network that targeted coalition forces and facilitated the entry of foreign fighters into the province.

During the operation, forces called for noncombatants to exit the buildings. All women and children were moved to a safe location, and forces questioned the military-aged men. Six suspected insurgents were detained while forces protected 13 women and 14 children.

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