U.S., Afghan Forces Detain Two, Find Weapons

American Forces Press Service

April 16, 2009 - Coalition and Afghan forces detained two suspected insurgents and discovered weapons in recent operations throughout Afghanistan, U.S. military officials reported. In Konar province's Asmar district today, coalition and Afghan troops detained a man and his accomplice allegedly connected to a bomb-making network. They are believed to be associated with a terrorist network and operations in Konar province and across the border in Pakistan.

In operations April 11, U.S. and Afghan forces discovered several weapons caches throughout the country, disrupting a number of planned insurgent attacks.

-- In Khowst province, Afghan-led forces discovered a 5-pound roadside bomb hidden in a culvert under a paved road.

-- Also in Khowst province, Afghan commandos found another bomb during a foot patrol after noticing wire sticking out of an irrigation ditch. The commandos traced the wire to the bomb, which was assembled with a battery pack and detonation switch. The patrol later found and disabled an abandoned vehicle believed to be rigged for explosives. Forces traced a wire from the dashboard to a battery pack and switch connected to the gear shift.

-- In Wardak province's Meydan Shahr district, U.S. and Afghan forces found 14 mines after following a tip from a local villager.

No Afghan or U.S. casualties were reported from these operations.

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