Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Combined Teams Target Insurgent Leaders

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2011 – Afghan and coalition forces continue to remove the insurgent leadership in southern Afghanistan, where yesterday they detained multiple suspects in Kandahar province and another in Helmand province, military officials reported.

Afghan and coalition forces targeting Taliban leaders who lead assassination attempts against Afghan government officials detained several suspected insurgents after following leads to a compound in Kandahar City.

In Helmand’s Nawah-ye Barakzai district, a combined force targeted a mid-level Taliban leader after multiple intelligence reports and residents’ tips led the force to a compound associated with a man known for bombing attacks.

Afghan security forces called out to the occupants to come out peacefully. A man, two women and three children came out. The security force protected the women and children, and the man was detained following questioning.

As the force moved toward a small building in the compound, a man armed with an automatic weapon moved in their direction, threatening the force, and was killed. Two more men were detained as the security force continued to search the compound.

Today, an Afghan civilian was seriously wounded by an explosive insurgents planted in Paktia province’s Jaji district. Coalition forces provided the man with medical care.

Also today:

-- An insurgent was killed during a coalition clearing operation in southern Afghanistan.

-- In Helmand’s Sangin district, coalition forces killed an insurgent who was planting a roadside bomb where others had been planted in the past.

-- In Helmand’s Marja district, a combined patrol found four hand grenades, a fuse and 21 60 mm mortar rounds.

-- In Kandahar province, combined forces found three weapons caches in the Arghandab and Zharay districts. The caches consisted of two anti-tank mines, detonation cord, two radios, an assault rifle, 11 rocket-propelled grenades, three RPG fuses, nine RPG warheads, a 82 mm recoilless rifle round, multiple grenade fuses, a chest rack, six full assault rifle magazines, explosives and loose ammunition.

Initial reports indicate no civilians were injured and no damage was reported during the clearing operations. The weapons and explosives were confiscated and will be destroyed, officials said.

No comments: