Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill, Detain Insurgents

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2011 – Afghan and coalition killed at least 15 insurgents and detained numerous others today in operations throughout southern and eastern Afghanistan, military officials reported.

Afghan and coalition troops observed the movement of several armed insurgents in Helmand province’s Marja district. Troops engaged the insurgents with small-arms fire, wounding one, and continued their patrol. The troops later came into enemy contact again and were attacked. Aviation assets killed several insurgents with a precision airstrike, while Afghan and coalition ground forces detained several others.

In other operations today:

-- Afghan and coalition forces killed several insurgents during a gun battle In Helmand province’s Now Zad district.

-- Security forces killed several insurgents in Kunar province’s Bar Kunar district. Forces spotted the insurgents operating in a known insurgent fighting position.

-- Afghan and coalition forces in Helmand province’s Sangin district killed three insurgents with small-arms fire after observing them plant roadside bombs near a coalition outpost.

-- Security forces found several weapons caches throughout southern and eastern Afghanistan. These operations resulted in the seizure of 11 rocket-propelled grenade boosters, three assault rifles, numerous rockets, several mortar rounds and assorted bomb-making materials.

In operations yesterday:

-- Afghan and coalition forces killed at least 10 armed insurgents in an operation in Kunduz province’s Archi district. The troops took fire immediately when they arrived at a Taliban leader’s alleged location. Troops returned fire and began searching the compound. Inside the compound troops were attacked again, but killed the shooter immediately. Two suspected insurgents were detained for further questioning.

-- Security forces detained several insurgents, including a senior Taliban leader in Farah province’s Gulistan district. The senior Taliban was the top Taliban for the province’s Bakwah district who planned and facilitated all aspects of insurgent operations in the region. The individuals were detained without incident.

-- In Khost province, Afghan and coalition troops detained several suspected insurgents, including a Haqqani network leader. The Haqqani member is reportedly responsible for trafficking explosive devices and other weapons to insurgents throughout the province. The suspects were detained without incident. Troops also confiscated a machine gun with 200 rounds of ammunition, several assault rifles, a pistol and other small-arms ammunition.

-- Afghan and coalition troops detained two suspected insurgents in Kunduz province. Troops were searching for a Taliban bomb facilitator with ties to the Taliban shadow governor in the province.

-- Security forces in Kandahar province’s Daman district detained two suspected insurgents connected to local Taliban leaders. The suspects were detained without incident.

-- In Logar province, security forces detained one suspected insurgent in an operation to track down Haqqani network insurgents. Tips from local residents led troops to the suspect’s location.

In operations Jan. 9:

-- Afghan and coalition forces killed numerous insurgents in separate operations in Helmand province. Several insurgents also were wounded after attacking a security force patrol in the province’s Sangin district.

-- Based on tips provided by local residents, security forces killed two insurgents and discovered 3 tons of hashish in southern Helmand province. The patrol was searching a house when they were attacked. A coalition air-weapons team fired on the enemy position, killing both insurgents. Ground forces also found and destroyed an opium-processing machine.

-- Security forces detained three suspected insurgents in Logar province’s Charkh district. Troops were searching for a Taliban leader responsible for a recent attack that took the lives of three Americans, two American soldiers, two Afghan soldiers and an Afghan civilian. The suspects were detained without incident.

-- Afghan and coalition forces detained one suspected insurgent in Nangarhar province’s Pachir wa Agam district. Troops were searching for a Taliban foreign fighter and suicide bomber trafficker. The suspect was detained without incident.

-- Security forces in Zabul province’s Shah Joy district captured a suspected insurgent with connections to a local Taliban leader. The Taliban leader produces weapons and bomb-making materials for enemy fighters throughout the province. The suspect was detained without incident.

-- Security forces in Helmand province’s Marjeh and Garm Ser districts found several weapons caches. The stockpiles included more than 2,500 rounds of small-arms ammunition, 60 pounds of explosives, 49 .50-caliber machine gun rounds and assorted bomb-making materials. Troops also found 1,000 pounds of marijuana.

In operations Jan. 8:

-- Afghan and coalition forces killed several insurgents in Helmand province’s Sangin district. The insurgents were planting roadside bombs, when security forces engaged the militants.

-- In Kunduz province’s Kunduz City, security forces detained five suspected insurgents responsible for supplying other extremists with explosive devices and vehicle bombs. Troops were also targeting an insurgent leader who allegedly has ties with the province’s Taliban shadow government. The suspects were detained without incident.

-- Afghan and coalition forces captured five suspected insurgents, including a Taliban leader, in Kandahar province’s Panjwa’i district. The Taliban leader is responsible for supplying insurgents with weapons and planning attacks against security forces and civilians in the district. The suspects were detained without incident.

-- Security forces found several weapons caches throughout southern and eastern Afghanistan. These operations resulted in the seizure of 400 rounds of small-arms ammunition, 21 hand grenades, nine rocket-propelled grenades, three assault rifles, one pistol and assorted bomb-making materials. Troops also found 2,000 pounds of marijuana.