Afghan, Coalition Forces Find Weapons in Afghanistan

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2011 – Afghan and coalition military forces found two weapons stockpiles in Afghanistan today.

The operations resulted in the seizure of more than 2,000 assault rifle rounds, 300 .50-caliber machine gun rounds, 81 assorted artillery rounds, 16 hand grenades, two anti-tank mines and various bomb-making materials.

In operations yesterday throughout Afghanistan:

-- Afghan and coalition forces killed more than 15 insurgents yesterday after being attacked with small-arms fire in Kunar province’s Bar Kunar district. Troops were conducting a routine patrol in the district when they were attacked. They returned fire, killing several of the attackers. During the firefight, troops requested aviation support to repel the insurgents. Air weapons teams arrived and engaged the enemy fighters, killing at least 10. Initial estimates suggest more than 15 enemy fighters were killed.

-- Afghan and coalition detained several suspected insurgents yesterday in Khost province’s Sabari district while searching for a Haqqani terrorist network leader responsible for trafficking explosives to other terrorists to use against local security forces.

-- Afghan and coalition forces detained four insurgents in Kandahar province’s Arghandab district. The suspects were found carrying 550 pounds of ammonium nitrate and 20 pounds of shrapnel. Ammonium nitrate is a fertilizer banned by Afghanistan’s government because it can be used in the manufacture of homemade explosives.

-- Security forces found several weapons stockpiles. Operations resulted in more than 750 assault rifle rounds, 118 rocket-propelled grenade warheads, 105 pounds of homemade explosives, 55 assorted artillery rounds, 31 rocket-propelled grenades, 22 hand grenades, 20 assault rifles, 12 110-pound bags of ammonium nitrate, eight homemade bombs, a land mine and various bomb-making materials.

In other news from Afghanistan, Afghan and coalition forces killed several insurgents Feb. 9 in Helmand province’s Qualah district. They were searching for Haji Khalil, a Taliban leader responsible for planning bombing and indirect-fire attacks on local security forces. Tips from local residents led the combined patrol to Khalil’s alleged location, where they were met immediately by enemy fire. Coalition forces killed at least four enemy fighters and detained another.