Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill, Detain Insurgents

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2010 – Afghan and coalition forces today killed more than 10 Taliban fighters during an operation in northern Afghanistan, military officials reported.

Security forces were patrolling a village in Baghlan province’s Dahanah-ye Ghori district to root out insurgents in the area. Troops searched and cleared nearly 30 buildings, taking sporadic enemy gunfire throughout the operation. Precision return fire and close-air support repelled the insurgent attacks and resulted in the deaths of more than 10 insurgents.

Also today in Afghanistan, officials from NATO’s International Security Assistance Force confirmed the identity of a senior Taliban operative captured Dec. 11 in Nangarhar province. As the shadow governor for the province’s Sherzad district, he led a large group of Taliban fighters who conducted small-arms attacks and bombings against security forces.

In operations in Afghanistan yesterday:

-- Afghan and coalition forces in Zabul province’s Shah Joy district killed two insurgents in an effort to ensure secure Highway 1, Afghanistan’s main road, which connects Jalalabad, Kabul, Kandahar and other major cities. The two insurgents fled the building they were hiding in as security forces approached. Both insurgents were carrying weapons. One opened fire on the pursuing troops, but was killed in the gun battle. The other insurgent continued to flee, but was also killed in a shootout with the troops.

-- In Ghor province’s Pasaband district, two insurgents, including a potential Taliban leader, were killed during a coalition airstrike. Coalition aviation assets monitored and tracked the alleged Taliban leader for several hours before engaging him. Troops watched him and an associate leave a known insurgent hideout on a motorcycle. Troops fired on them once innocent bystanders were out of range. ISAF is officials are working to determine the insurgents’ identities.

-- In Kandahar province’s Kandahar City, security forces detained several suspected insurgents with ties to a senior regional Taliban leader who reportedly is responsible for planning and carrying out attacks on Afghan and coalition troops.

-- Afghan and coalition forces in Khost province’s Terayzai district detained two suspected insurgents allegedly connected to the region’s Haqqani terrorist network.