Forces Kill, Capture Insurgents in Afghanistan

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, March 14, 2011 – Afghan and coalition forces killed several insurgents today in a shootout in the Darah-ye Pech district of Afghanistan’s Kunar province.

Troops opened fire on the insurgents after watching them maneuver nearby with heavy automatic machine guns, military officials reported.

In operations throughout Afghanistan yesterday:

-- An airstrike killed five insurgents after coalition troops monitored several armed individuals at a known fighting position for several hours in Kunar province’s Ghazi district. After the attack, troops investigated the scene and found several automatic weapons and a mortar tube.

-- Afghan and coalition forces detained numerous suspected insurgents while targeting a Taliban fighter and an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan terrorist organization safe haven in Baghlan province’s Burkah district.

-- Security forces detained several suspected insurgents, while targeting a Taliban weapons expert who specializes in building suicide vests in Kandahar province’s Zhari district.

-- Based on tips from local residents, forces detained three suspected insurgents, including a Taliban logistician and weapons trafficker, without incident in Zabul province’s Shamulzai district.

-- Security forces detained two suspected insurgents, while targeting a Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin terrorist and weapons trafficker in Khost province’s Sabari district. The terrorist supplies explosive devices and separate components to local enemy fighters.

-- During a routine traffic stop in Ghazni province’s Gelan district, forces detained a Jahadi organization terrorist who plants roadside bombs. The terrorist reportedly is linked to several recent attacks on a nearby coalition base.

In March 12 operations:

-- Afghan and coalition forces killed several insurgents and detained numerous others during a gun battle in Helmand province’s Sangin district. The combined patrol was searching a known insurgent compound and engaged the group of enemy fighters with small-arms fire after they were fired upon.

-- Coalition troops killed several enemy fighters in Helmand province’s Kajaki district after their foot patrol was fired upon. Troops used ground forces, close-air support and artillery fire to resist the enemy fighters.

-- Forces found several weapons stockpiles and drugs throughout Afghanistan. Operations resulted in seizure of 900 assault rifle rounds, 600 large-caliber automatic machine gun rounds, 200 pounds of hashish, 25 pressure plates, 24 various mortars and rockets, 21 hand grenades, 12 explosive devices, nine rocket-propelled grenades, five rocket-propelled grenade boosters, two pistols, an anti-tank mine and assorted bomb-making materials.

In March 11 operations:

-- Forces killed two insurgents who displayed hostile intent toward them during an operation in search of a Hezb-E Islami Khalis terrorist leader in Nangahar province’s Jalalbad district. The terrorist leader is linked to several recent bombing attacks on security forces.

-- Security forces captured three suspected insurgents, including a Haqqani network terrorist leader and a Haqqani fighter, in Khost province’s Shamul district. The Haqqani leader is responsible for housing and arming foreign fighters, while the other Haqqani member is linked to several recent attacks on security forces.

-- Afghan and coalition forces detained a suspected insurgent, while searching for an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader responsible for planning attacks with Taliban fighters against security forces in Baghlan province’s Burkah district.

-- Security forces found several weapons caches throughout Afghanistan. Troops discovered 1,716 pounds of ammonium nitrate -- a banned fertilizer used in roadside bombs -- 120 rounds of small-arms ammunition, 51 feet of detonation cord, four warheads, four radio frequency jamming devices, three shotgun rounds, a hand grenade and assorted bomb-making materials.