Forces Kill Enemy Fighters, Detain Others in Afghanistan

American Forces Press Service

July 20, 2009 - Afghan and coalition forces killed enemy fighters, detained others and seized weapons in Afghanistan in the past four days, military officials reported. Afghan National Army and NATO International Security Assistance Force soldiers killed 10 anti-Afghan fighters in Pech district of Afghanistan's Kunar province July 17 after receiving small-arms fire while on a routine patrol. Coalition close-air support from the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at Bagram Airfield aided the force.

No ISAF soldiers were killed in the incident.

This was the second time in a week that ISAF and Afghan National Army forces eliminated a significant anti-Afghan threat in the district. An Afghan army-led operation July 15 resulted in the death of two Taliban subcommanders and the capture of four more anti-Afghan forces.

In other operations in Afghanistan:

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force searched a compound in Khost province last night to disrupt a Haqqani terrorist network bomb-making cell. The joint force searched the compound near the village of Ya Qubi, northeast of the city of Khost, after intelligence indicated militant activity. The force detained a suspected militant.

-- A joint Afghan and coalition force in southern Helmand province searched a compound last night thought to be used by a Taliban commander. The commander is believed to be responsible for the flow of foreign fighters, drug trafficking, and coordinating attacks in the region.

The force searched the compound after intelligence indicated militant activity. The force detained two suspected militants and confiscated eight shotguns, more than 100 bags of ammonium nitrate, a key ingredient used in explosives, and poppy seeds. No Afghan or coalition forces or civilian casualties were reported.

(Compiled from U.S. Forces Afghanistan and Combined Joint Task Force 82 news releases.)