Forces in Afghanistan Kill Militant, Detain Suspects

American Forces Press Service

Nov. 20, 2009 - Afghan and international forces in Afghanistan killed an enemy militant and detained several terrorism suspects today, military officials reported. A combined Afghan-international security force killed an enemy militant in Takhar province while pursuing a facilitator for the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan terrorist organization who is responsible for financing militant activities and transporting foreign fighters into the region.

The force searched a compound in the rural Bangi district east of Kunduz City. During the search, the enemy militant displayed hostile intent and was killed. The search was completed without further incident.

There has been an increased presence of Uzbek fighters in northern Afghanistan, and a number of foreign fighters within the Taliban ranks who are from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, International Security Assistance Force officials said.

In a separate operation today, an Afghan and international security force detained several suspected militants in Khost province while pursuing a reputed Haqqani terrorism network commander suspected of having links to several local senior Haqqani leaders.

The force searched a compound near the town of Zambar in the Sabari district without incident, recovered several assault rifles and bolt-action rifles, and detained three suspected militants.

Also today, a combined force in Wardak province detained a suspected militant during a search of several compounds near the village of Darmandyan in Nerkh district known to be used by a Taliban facilitator reportedly responsible for numerous small-arms and roadside-bomb attacks in the area.

No civilians were harmed in any of today's operations, officials said.

(From an International Security Assistance Force news release.)