Thursday, January 07, 2010

General Condemns Taliban Attack on Civilians

American Forces Press Service

Jan. 7, 2010 - The commander of day-to-day military operations in Afghanistan condemned a bombing attack on Gardez Bazaar in Afghanistan's Paktia province today that killed at least four civilians and wounded several others. "The Taliban-led enemy has again demonstrated an absolute disregard for the Afghan people and their lives," said Army Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez, commander of International Security Assistance Force Joint Command. "[The command] is monitoring the situation and stands ready to assist our Afghan partners."

In other news, military officials said today they're aware of protests in the streets in Nangarhar province this morning over an incident yesterday and share the grief caused by the injuries and loss of life of Afghan civilians and security personnel. Two Afghan children were killed and several civilians were injured in an explosion that also injured several international security force members.

"While we continue to believe these casualties were not caused by [international forces] operations," said Army Maj. Gen. Michael Regner, deputy chief of staff for operations, "we will continue to assist our Afghan friends and partners."

Meanwhile, combined Afghan and international security forces captured multiple Taliban commanders, facilitators and insurgents in operations throughout Afghanistan yesterday.

A combined Afghan and international security force searched a Helmand province compound after receiving reports of insurgent activity in the area. The force captured a Taliban facilitator suspected of manufacturing and placing explosives and detained two other insurgents. One of the insurgents attacked a member of the force and was injured during the capture.

In Kandahar City last night, a combined security force searched a compound and captured a Taliban commander and other militants responsible for the movement of illegal weapons. The force found several weapons, including a machine gun, a grenade launcher and numerous rocket-propelled grenade rounds.

In Khost province last night, a security force searched a compound and captured a Taliban commander and other militants responsible for the deployment of homemade bombs and suicide attacks. The security force recovered a rifle, pistol and a bomb pressure plate.

Also last night, a force in Wardak province searched a compound and detained several suspected militants. A local resident was slightly injured during the assault.

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

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