Afghan, Coalition Forces Detain 18, Kill Suspect in Afghanistan

American Forces Press Service

May 18, 2009 - Afghan and coalition forces killed an insurgent and detained 18 others during recent operations in Afghanistan. The joint forces detained two suspected militants yesterday during an operation in northern Afghanistan's Konduz province to disrupt foreign-fighter networks.

In May 16 operations throughout Afghanistan:

- Afghan and coalition forces raided a compound in the Sora Kheyl Valley of Khost province's Musa Kheyl district to disrupt a network directly connected to the April 16 attack of the Musa Kheyl District Center. A man armed with an AK-47 assault rifle fired on the forces and was killed in return fire. Afghan forces identified the building as an Islamic religious school and found a chest rack and grenades inside. They detained one suspect.

- In Paktika province's Sharan district, Afghan and coalition forces, with Afghan National Police reinforcements, targeted a Taliban commander and his associates responsible for carrying out attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The eight suspects detained during the operation are known to be involved with attacks in the Paktia-Paktika-Khost region in eastern Afghanistan.

- In the Jani Kheyl district of Paktia province, an Afghan National Police-led element conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol in the district along with special operations forces discovered an established Taliban base camp believed to be used for staging and movement of fighters from Pakistan into the province. The camp commander and six other men, suspected of recent insurgent activities in the area, were detained by the Afghan National Police, who also confiscated enough supplies to sustain a group of 50 to 60 enemy fighters.

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