Forces in Afghanistan Detain Militants, Seize Weapons

American Forces Press Service

July 10, 2009 - Afghan and coalition forces detained several suspected militants yesterday during operations to disrupt Haqqani terrorist network activity in Afghanistan, military officials reported. Afghan and coalition forces searched two compounds last night in Khowst province in an effort to disrupt the flow of weapons, suicide bombers and foreign fighters into the region.

The force detained six suspected militants, including two suspected Haqqani commanders. One of the commanders is believed to be involved with rocket attacks against the Kuchi tribe and the smuggling of weapons, suicide bombers and foreign fighters into Afghanistan.

The force also confiscated two AKM rifles, two shotguns, a rifle with optic device, a pistol, multiple chest racks, a camera, multimedia devices, blasting caps and fragmentation material.

Elsewhere, Afghan and coalition forces conducted an operation in Ghazni province's Giro district to disrupt the Taliban network's operational and logistical support lines of ambush units in the region.

The force encountered hostile fire from one of the compounds and engaged the militants, resulting in several killed and one wounded. Forces also pursued and killed several armed militants who fled the compound. The force detained four suspected militants during the operation.

The force also confiscated 21 grenades, nine rocket-propelled grenades, three rocket-propelled grenade launchers, a loaded automatic weapon, seven chest racks, more than a thousand rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition and a roadside bomb with command wire, five blasting caps, multimeter and circuit boards.

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