Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill Several Insurgents

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, April 12, 2011 – Afghan and coalition forces today killed several insurgents during a security operation in the Bal Chiragh district of Afghanistan’s Faryab province.

During the operation, an insurgent killed three children and wounded several women and children. Afghan and coalition forces separated the women and children and cordoned them into a courtyard as initial combat broke out. However, one of the insurgents subsequently pointed a weapon through an adjacent window and then threw a hand grenade into the courtyard area, resulting in the deaths and injuries of Afghan civilians, as well as the wounding of five Afghan and coalition forces.

The security force was targeting two of the top Taliban leaders in Faryab province.

Security forces provided immediate medical care for the women and children, who were transported to a medical facility.

“This is yet another example of insurgents willfully murdering Afghan civilians,” said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Harold Pittman, ISAF deputy chief of staff for communication. “This kind of blatant disregard for the lives of innocent Afghans is reprehensible. Working with our Afghan partners, we will continue our relentless pursuit of those who would prevent peace in Afghanistan.”

In other news today, ISAF joined the governor of Helmand province in condemning yesterday’s murder of a Helmand district community councilman while he was at prayer in a mosque.

“This vile attack demonstrates the complete disregard insurgents have for their fellow Afghans,” Pittman said. “The wanton murder of a man at prayer underscores the disrespect insurgents have for the traditions and values that Afghans hold dear.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends who suffered this tragic loss," Pittman continued. "We are encouraged to hear provincial authorities have already arrested three suspects in this case, and ISAF stands ready to provide any support necessary to help bring the killers to justice.”

In other Afghanistan operations yesterday:

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force killed an armed man while targeting a Taliban facilitator during a security operation in the Chak-e Wardak district of Wardak province. The facilitator is responsible for distributing weapons and ammunition to Taliban members for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- An Afghan and coalition force detained two suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban facilitator in the Shah Joy district of Zabul province. The facilitator is responsible for the movement, distribution and emplacement of improvised explosive devices targeting coalition forces along Highway 1. He also has attempted to conduct IED attacks on coalition forces in Ghazni province.

-- Combined forces detained several Haqqani network facilitators and several suspected insurgents during operations in the Sabari district of Khost province. The facilitators included an explosives instructor for the network, an IED emplacer and a Hezb-E Islami Gulbuddin leader. Three AK-47 assault rifles, a shotgun, a rifle, a pistol and IED materials were discovered during the search.

-- An Afghan and coalition force captured a Taliban facilitator during a security operation in the Baraki Barak district of Logar province. The facilitator is responsible for the acquisition and distribution of weapons and supplies to subordinate Taliban fighters.

-- In Nangarhar province, a combined Afghan and coalition force detained several suspected insurgents while searching for an al-Qaida leader during a security operation in the Beshud district. The leader works for al-Qaida and the Taliban, primarily in eastern Afghanistan and Pakistan. He assists the insurgent networks with the acquisition, movement and employment of weapons and fighters in the Kunar region.

-- A combined force detained a Taliban facilitator and another suspected insurgent during an operation in the Chak-e Wardak district of Wardak province. The facilitator provided weapons and reconnaissance of coalition force movements to Taliban within the district. He also coordinated attacks against local Afghan civilians with Chak-e Wardak-based Taliban cells.

-- ISAF troops killed several insurgents in the Yahya Khel district of Paktika province. An ISAF combat outpost perceived an imminent threat from numerous armed insurgents. Coalition forces engaged the insurgents and called for air support. The air-weapons team engaged the enemy, killing several insurgents and forcing the others to flee. A coalition quick-response team recovered three AK-47 assault rifles, one PKM machine gun, one rocket-propelled grenade, one 9 mm pistol, three tactical chest racks with grenades, two motorcycles, tactical communications equipment and one video camera.

-- In Sar-e Pul province, an ISAF patrol observed armed insurgents operating in the Sayad district. The patrol engaged the insurgents and called for air support. The air-weapons team engaged the enemy, killing one insurgent and forcing the others to flee.

-- In Uruzgan, Kandahar and Helmand provinces, during separate clearing operations, Afghan and ISAF troops discovered several weapons caches in the Deh Rawud, Arghandab and Marjah districts. The caches contained 500 7.62 mm rounds, four rocket-propelled grenade rounds, 14 82 mm mortar rounds, two 107 mm rockets, two chest racks, eight mortar fuses, 12 homemade detonators and several IED-making components.

In April 10 operations:

-- Afghan and ISAF troops found a weapons cache in the Paghman district of Kabul province. The cache contained 22 rocket-propelled grenade rounds, 10 recoilless rifle rounds and loose ammunition.