Forces Kill Insurgents in Jowzjan Province

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, May 10, 2011 – Combined forces killed several Taliban fighters in a gun battle yesterday in the Qush Tepah district of Afghanistan’s Jowzjan province, military officials reported.

Troops were searching for the senior Taliban leader in the district, who is responsible for directing bombing attacks and coordinating insurgent funding, when the armed fighters attacked, officials said.

The Afghan and coalition force repelled the attackers and continued on with their search. Another group of insurgents opened fire before the troops could finish their mission. Troops killed several insurgents and found explosive devices, assault rifles and other weapons.

In other operations yesterday throughout Afghanistan:

-- Afghan and coalition forces killed several armed insurgents and detained several others while searching for the senior insurgent commander in Kunduz province’s Charhar Darah district.

-- Security forces in Khost province’s Shamul district detained several suspected insurgents while searching for a Haqqani terrorist network weapons trafficker.

-- In Kunar province’s Narang district, troops killed several armed insurgents after the group opened fire on their patrol.

-- Combined forces detained more than 10 suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban leader in Paktika province’s Yahya Khel district.

-- In Khost province’s Sabari district, troops captured several suspected insurgents while searching for a Haqqni terrorist network leader responsible for planting roadside bombs throughout the area.

-- Forces detained several suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban leader in Logar province’s Charkh district.

-- Based on information from local residents, security forces captured two suspected insurgents linked to a Taliban leader responsible for planning and leading attacks on local forces.

-- In operations in Paktia province’s Zurmat and Ahmadabad districts, security forces seized more than 900 assault rifle rounds and 10 rocket-propelled grenades with propellant.