Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill, Detain Insurgents

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

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2010 – Afghan and International Security Assistance Force troops yesterday killed several insurgents and detained numerous others during an operation in Nahr-E Saraj district, Helmand province, military officials reported.

Multiple intelligence reports and tips from residents led the combined force to a compound associated with a Taliban leader of about 40 fighters who is believed responsible for numerous attacks in Babaji Marjeh. As the patrol prepared to secure the buildings, several armed insurgents approached the group, ignoring verbal warnings and posing a threat. The patrol engaged the insurgents, killing them. The patrol found two guns and a grenade after a search of the area.

After securing the compound, Afghan forces called out to the inhabitants, allowing them to exit the buildings peacefully. This led to 21 women and 52 children being protected for the duration of the operation. During a search of the compound the patrol detained 10 men.

In other operations, combined forces yesterday:

-- Discovered 15,400 pounds of ammonium nitrate and 20 improvised explosive devices in southern Afghanistan. Coalition forces found 8,800 pounds of ammonium nitrate in the Khash Rod district of Nimroz province. The forces also found five rocket-propelled grenades and IED canisters. An explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed the cache. Also, Afghan border police stopped a vehicle carrying five anti-personnel mines and 15 remotely-detonated IEDs in Kandahar City. In a separate incident, the International Security Assistance Force confirmed Afghan border police confiscated 6,600 pounds of ammonium nitrate found Oct. 11 in a truck in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province.

-- Captured a Taliban senior leader who coordinated attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, along with several of his associates, during an operation in Nimroz province. ISAF previously announced the man was captured Oct. 10 during an overnight operation. However, ISAF later discovered Afghan and coalition forces had actually captured the deputy shadow governor for Nimroz province during that operation. Intelligence tips led the force to a remote compound in the Khash Rod district to continue their search for the Taliban leader. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully, and then the security force cleared and secured the compound. After questioning residents, the force identified and detained the suspect and his associates. The security force found IED material at the scene.

-- Killed Mohammad Ali, a Taliban senior leader and IED expert in Ghazni province. Ali led his network in ambushes against Afghan and coalition forces using rockets, small-arms fire and IEDs. The security force also killed Mowlana Fatih Sahib, a Taliban operations leader also involved in ambushes against Afghan and coalition forces. Intelligence tips led the security force to a remote compound in the Rashidan district. As they arrived at the scene, they immediately took heavy small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire from insurgents, including Ali and Sahib. The security force returned fire, killing several insurgents. The assault force found multiple RPGs, hand grenades, automatic weapons and magazines, along with a machine gun with the insurgents. The security force then moved to clear and secure the area. During the clearance of the building, another man was killed inside after he threatened the security force. When the area was secured, the force detained several suspects.