Forces Thwart Outpost Attack, Destroy Bomb-making Facility

American Forces Press Service

July 6, 2009 - Afghan and coalition forces foiled an attack on a combat outpost, captured a key terrorist leader and destroyed a bomb-making facility in operations in Afghanistan today, military officials reported. Afghan soldiers and NATO International Security Assistance Force servicemembers killed at least 10 militants and detained another after responding to an attack on a combat outpost in Paktika province this morning.

Insurgents attacked the outpost with indirect fire, including multiple rockets and mortars. The force responded with counter fire, close-air support and attack helicopters.

No civilian casualties were reported.

Elsewhere, Afghan and coalition forces assaulted a compound last night in the rural Baraki Barak district of Logar province in an effort to disrupt roadside bomb attacks led by the Haqqani terrorist group against coalition forces. The force detained a key leader of the terrorist network and his associate. The leader is believed to be involved in the recruitment of children as suicide bombers.

In Helmand province, Afghan National Police, assisted by coalition forces, discovered a roadside-bomb-making compound during a security patrol in Nad Ali district.

The force also discovered multiple roadside bombs and more than 100 pounds of explosive material. A perimeter was set around the compound, and the bombs were detonated in place.

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