Afghan President, ISAF Condemn Suicide Bomb Attack

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2011 – The International Security Assistance Force joins Afghan President Hamid Karzai in condemning the killing and wounding of several civilians, including the Chahar Darha district governor, in today’s suicide attack in Kunduz province.

Reports indicate that a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device near a government building in the district.

“We join President Karzai in condemning this attack on the district governor and innocent civilians,” said Navy Rear Admiral Vic Beck, ISAF director of public affairs. “We extend our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones, and we hope for a quick recovery for those injured in this senseless attack.”

In Afghanistan news yesterday:

-- Afghan and International Security Assistance Force troops killed Awal Jan, a Taliban weapons and improvised-explosive-device facilitator, during a security operation in Chak-e district, Wardak province, military officials reported. Awal Jan was operating in the district, supplying insurgents with weapons and improvised-explosive-device components to include explosive material for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. Security forces followed leads to a targeted location in the district, where Afghan and coalition forces conducted a search after securing the compound. While securing the location Awal Jan, who was armed, threatened the security force, resulting in him being killed. The security force recovered an AK-47 rifle, a chest rack and ammunition from Awal Jan.

-- Afghan and coalition forces targeted a compound where an Islamic Jihad Union facilitator and several suspected insurgents were detained during an operation in Dowlatabad district, Balkh province. The facilitator is responsible for coordinating the movement of foreign fighters from Iran and Pakistan into Afghanistan. Several suspected insurgents were detained based on initial questioning at the scene.

-- A separate security force searched a compound in Nahr-e Shahi district where Afghan forces called for all occupants to exit buildings peacefully before conducting a search. Several suspected insurgents were detained based on initial questioning at the scene.

-- In Arghandab district, Kandahar province, a combined Afghan security force and ISAF patrol found a weapons cache consisting of 14 anti-personnel mines, six grenades, three initiators, one sack of ball bearings, five blocks of explosives, seven rocket-propelled-grenade warheads, seven mortars and loose ammunition. Also in the district a separate Afghan army and ISAF patrol found six 82 mm rounds.

-- In Panjwa’i district, Kandahar province, a combined patrol discovered 450 pounds of marijuana.

-- In Gelan district, Ghazni province, Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban facilitator along with one suspected insurgent. The facilitator was responsible for providing detailed reports to senior Taliban leaders to assist them in ambush attacks against Afghan and coalition vehicles in the area. The facilitator and one suspected insurgent were detained based on initial questioning at the scene.

-- In Nangarhar province, Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban leader during an operation in the Surkh Rod district. The leader operated out of Pachir wa Agam district, and was responsible for planning and organizing attacks against Afghan government officials and coalition forces in Jalalabad and surrounding areas. Reports led the security forces to the targeted compound in the district, where Afghan forces called for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully before conducting a search. The Taliban leader identified himself as the targeted insurgent and was detained.

-- A Haqqani facilitator and two suspected insurgents were detained by Afghan and coalition forces during an operation in Nadir Shah Kot district, Khost province. The facilitator was responsible for the facilitation and execution of an imminent suicide-vehicle-borne IED attack against Afghan army and coalition forces. The facilitator was identified as the targeted insurgent by an individual in the compound and was detained. The two additional suspected insurgents were detained based on initial questioning at the scene.

-- In Ghaziabad district, Kunar province, an ISAF patrol received small-arms fire from an unknown number of insurgents. After gaining positive identification, coalition forces requested close air support and engaged the enemy position, killing one insurgent.

-- In Nurgaram district, Nuristan province, an ISAF patrol discovered 80 pounds of homemade explosives.

-- In Kahmard district, Bamyan province, an ISAF patrol found 58 82 mm rounds, two 107 mm rounds, two 81 mm rounds, four 81 mm missiles, one RPG round and one mine.

-- In Bamyan province, one Afghan child was killed and another wounded while playing with unexploded ordnance in Kahman district. Afghan soldiers responded to the scene of the incident. The wounded child was transported to a local hospital.

-- In Andar district, Ghazni province, an ISAF patrol observed two insurgents with weapons on a motorcycle. After establishing positive identification, coalition forces engaged the enemy position with one Hellfire missile, killing the two insurgents.

-- A security force conducted a weapons cache recover operation in Khanabad district, Kunduz province. The force destroyed 27 OG9 rockets, 14 propelling charges and one mortar tube.

-- An ISAF patrol was engaged with insurgent small-arms fire in Kajaki district, Helmand province. After gaining positive identification, the unit returned small-arms fire and high-explosive mortar rounds. After observing good effects on the insurgent position, the unit was engaged from a different firing point. As the engagement continued, the ISAF unit continued shelling the insurgent position with mortar rounds and an air weapons team also engaged the position. Initial reporting indicates more than 10 insurgents were killed in the fighting with no ISAF injuries.

-- A combined dismounted patrol in Zharay district, Kandahar province found a weapons cache consisting of 500 7.62 mm rounds, one AK-47 and five AK-47 magazines.

-- In Panjwa’i district, Kandahar province, a combined patrol discovered 26 rocket-propelled grenade motors, two AK-47s, 301 9 mm rounds, 54 23 mm rounds, along with other assorted weapons and ammunition. All of the confiscated weapons have been or will be destroyed.

In Feb. 8 Afghanistan news:

-- A joint Afghan and ISAF patrol detained a suspected Taliban leader and an associate in Sayyidabad district, Wardak province. The target was detained by Afghan forces for allegedly commanding approximately 20 fighters in Wardak, moving groups of fighters back and forth from Pakistan to Afghanistan and funding Taliban groups in the area.