Afghan, NATO Forces Detain Insurgents

American Forces Press Service

Nov. 2, 2009 - Combined Afghan and NATO forces detained several insurgents in operations in southern and eastern Afghanistan in recent days, military officials reported.
A combined Afghan-International Security Assistance Force operation detained an insurgent in Kandahar province yesterday while in pursuit of a Taliban district leader and senior commander of a sizable militant element in the area.

The force targeted a location outside of the village of Daylanur, north of Kandahar City, after intelligence indicated militant activity. The force used "escalation of force" procedures to stop two motorcycles traveling south toward the city, detained a suspect and seized a pistol, ammunition, and documents.

An Afghan girl who was riding as a passenger on one of the motorcycles was killed during the operation. Immediate medical care was provided to the girl in an attempt to save her life. A joint investigation is in progress to verify the details of the event.

"Afghan and international security forces continue to partner their personnel and skills to disrupt Taliban attacks and exploitation of Afghan civilians," ISAF officials said in a statement. "These operations are always coupled with the possibility of reconciliation."

In other operations in Afghanistan, a combined force came under attack by rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire near Kapisa in eastern Afghanistan on Oct. 31.

Seven civilians were injured, a coalition servicemember was wounded and an insurgent was killed. Following the attack, the injured civilians and the servicemember were transported to an ISAF medical treatment facility for care, where one civilian subsequently died.

An initial report indicates insurgents may have used the civilians as shields during the attack.

"Protecting Afghan civilians and providing for their security is ISAF's top priority," said Air Force Lt. Col. Todd Vician, an ISAF Joint Command spokesman. "Unlike the insurgents, our forces do all we can to avoid civilian casualties and provide care when civilians are injured."

A combined force detained several suspected militants in Khowst province after searching a compound known to be frequented by a man suspected of cooperating with Haqqani terrorist network terrorists involved in bombing and small-arms attacks in the area.

The combined force selected the compounds near the village of Paru Kheyl in the Sabari district after intelligence indicated militant activity. The force searched the compound without incident, recovered several small-arms weapons and ammunition and detained the suspected militants. One of the suspects was identified as the sought-after Haqqani enabler. No shots were fired, and no one was injured.

In a separate event, a combined force searched a number of compounds in Ghazni province known to be used by a Taliban member and his unit. The force selected the compounds near the village of Rad Kheyl in Zanakhan district after intelligence indicated militant activity. The force searched the compounds without incident and recovered multiple rocket-propelled grenade rounds, a mortar round and machine gun ammunition found in a mosque. All items were destroyed in a safe place away from buildings and structures. No shots were fired, and no one was injured.

A combined force detained two suspected militants in Wardak province Oct. 31 after searching compounds known to be used by a Taliban follower responsible for kidnappings and executions of Afghan civilians, and a Taliban commander associated with numerous foreign fighters in the area.

The force targeted compounds near the village of Kuz Jangjay in the Sayed Abad district after intelligence indicated militant activity. The force searched the compounds without incident. No shots were fired, and no one was injured.

(Compiled from International Security Assistance Command Joint Command news releases.)