Afghan, Coalition Troops Detain Insurgents

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force and ISAF Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2010 – Afghan and International Security Assistance Force troops detained several insurgents during a combined operation in Helmand province yesterday, military officials reported.

Intelligence sources and tips from citizens led a combined force to two vehicles with suspected insurgents in them. After the combined force stopped the vehicles, they were fired upon by some of the individuals as they exited the vehicles and attempted to run away.

Afghan and coalition forces pursued the fleeing insurgents and detained them without incident. During a search of the vehicles and suspected insurgents, the combined force found 20 kilograms of wet opium and improvised explosive device components. The narcotics and bomb components were destroyed on site. The men were detained by Afghan authorities for processing and further questioning.

In other Afghanistan operations yesterday:

-- Acting on intelligence reports and tips from citizens, Afghan and coalition forces detained several insurgents during a combined operation in Helmand province. The forces detained the suspected insurgents at a compound associated with a senior Taliban commander in the area. He has coordinated attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, and oversees the emplacement of improvised explosive devices in the area. Upon securing of the compound, the force called-out the inhabitants multiple times in order to allow them to peacefully exit the building. After getting no response, the Afghan and coalition forces entered the compound, and were then confronted by an armed insurgent. They engaged the insurgent, killing him. Shortly thereafter, several men, women and children exited the building. The men were separated and questioned, while the women and children were protected. The joint security group continued through the compound, detaining several men and protecting a total of 10 women and 15 children. Nine men were detained because they tested positive for handling explosives.

-- Afghan and coalition forces found and destroyed large weapons caches in Nangarhar and Zabul provinces. A combined force found and destroyed a cache in the Khugyani district of Nangarhar that included: 11 82 mm mortars, seven anti-tank mines, 23 kilograms of explosives, 23 kilograms of propellant, two recoilless rifle rounds and two remote detonators. In the Qalat district of Zabul province, a combined patrol found and destroyed a cache consisting of: 21 107 mm rockets, nine rocket-propelled grenades, two anti-tank mines and an RPG launcher.

-- Afghan and coalition security forces detained two suspected insurgents in Helmand province in their continued pursuit of a dual-hatted Taliban civil and military commander for the Lashkar Gah and Nahr-e Saraj districts. The recently appointed commander was forced to take over the role of military commander after his predecessor was captured earlier this month. Intelligence reports led the security force to a compound in the village of Mohammad Jan Kalay in Nahr-e Saraj district to search for the commander. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully and then the joint security force cleared and secured the area. After initial questioning at the scene, the security force detained two suspected insurgents.

-- Afghan and coalition security forces detained two suspected insurgents in Paktika province while in pursuit of a Taliban subcommander linked to improvised explosive device and suicide. Based on intelligence reports, the security force targeted a remote compound in Mota Khan district to search for the commander. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully and then the joint security force cleared and secured the compound. After conducting initial questioning with the residents at the scene, the security force detained two suspected insurgents. They also found multiple weapons and 50 pounds of explosives at the scene.

-- Afghan and coalition security forces captured a Haqqani Network facilitator known to make and distribute improvised explosive device materials throughout the province, during an operation in Khost province. Intelligence tips led the security force to a compound in Khost district to search for the facilitator. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully and then the joint security force cleared and secured the area. After initial questioning at the scene, the security force detained the facilitator along with two of his associates. The security force also discovered multiple weapons and magazines, along with a grenade at the scene.

-- Afghan and coalition security forces detained two insurgents in Kandahar province, including a Taliban facilitator responsible for moving improvised explosive device supplies from Pakistan to Kandahar City. Based on intelligence tips, the security force targeted a compound in Spin Boldak district to search for the facilitator. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully and then the joint security force cleared and secured the area. After initial questioning at the scene, the security force identified and detained the facilitator and one of his associates.

-- ISAF confirmed one Afghan civilian was killed by an ISAF servicemember in the Ali Sheng district of Laghman province Sept. 26. An investigation is ongoing into the circumstances of the man's death. "We take allegations of civilian casualties very seriously and we will conduct a thorough investigation of this isolated incident," said Maj. Patrick Seiber, Combined Joint Task Force-101 and Regional Command-East spokesman. "We make every effort to ensure the protection of Afghan civilians and will take the steps necessary to prevent an incident like this from happening again in the future."

In Sept. 25 Afghanistan news:

-- An air weapons team engaged a significant number of insurgents following an attack on a remote Afghan security force outpost in Khost province. The Narizah outpost came under attack, receiving direct and indirect fire from the Pakistan side of the border. An air weapons team in the area observed the enemy fire and engaged the enemy in the border area under the right of self defense. The engagement resulted in more than 30 insurgents killed. After the engagement, additional ISAF helicopters arrived to conduct an aerial assessment and received small-arms fire again. The aircraft returned fire resulting in several additional insurgents killed. Initial reports indicate no civilians were injured or killed during the operation. At no time during the engagement did ground forces cross into Pakistani territory.