Officials Report Numerous Afghan-Coalition Operations

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, July 22, 2010 - Numerous Afghan-coalition operations were conducted across Afghanistan in recent days, military officials reported.

Today, Afghan commando troops, working with coalition special operations forces, acted on information from local villagers in Assis Abad village in the Shindand district of Herat province and discovered a large cache of insurgent weapons. The commandos also found weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices stored near where the cache was hidden. More than 4,000 pounds of ordnance was confiscated, including scores of grenades and mortar rounds. Also found were 25 artillery rounds of various sizes, five mines, three rocket-propelled grenades, and 10 RPG boosters. The weapons, ammunition and IEDs were destroyed in place.

In Afghanistan news yesterday:

-- An Afghan and coalition security force detained two suspected insurgents in the Kandahar province last night, including a Taliban logistics officer for the Taliban networks operating in Kandahar City. The facilitator also is responsible for moving weapons and insurgent fighters into the city. The security force targeted a compound in the village of Lay Bala Karz in northern Kandahar district in pursuit of the facilitator. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to peacefully exit the compound. After questioning the residents, the security force detained the facilitator and one additional suspected insurgent for further questioning. The security force also found a cache of AK-47 parts and dozens of ammunition magazines buried in the courtyard of the targeted compound. No shots were fired and the women and children were protected throughout the search.

-- Afghan and coalition forces captured another insurgent facilitator in Kabul last night. The Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin/Taliban-associated attack planner is known to lead attacks against Afghan civilians and Afghan and coalition forces in Kabul and was reportedly participating in attack planning against the Kabul International Conference. The security force went to the targeted compound in Kabul and Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to peacefully exit the buildings. After the compound was cleared and secured, the combined security force detained the attack planner and one additional suspected insurgent. No shots were fired and the woman and children present were protected throughout the operation.

-- ISAF forces yesterday provided medical treatment to four injured Afghan civilians after their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in the Gardez district, Paktiya province. Afghan National Police and ISAF forces responded to the scene of the incident. ISAF forces transported the wounded to a nearby medical facility for treatment. According to confirmed reports, insurgent IED attacks have killed more than 360 innocent Afghan civilians and wounded more than 750 since the beginning of 2010.

"These are staggering numbers. Innocent Afghan civilians who are doing nothing more than going about their daily lives continue to become victims of these heinous acts," said Col. James Dawkins, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. "We will continue to work with our Afghan partners to seek out the insurgents responsible for these cowardly acts."