Combined Force Kills Taliban Insurgent

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2011 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force yesterday killed a Taliban insurgent and detained another during an operation in the Kunduz district of Afghanistan’s Kunduz province, military officials reported.

During a search of the area, the security force observed an armed insurgent operating in a field. After ensuring no women or children were in the area, an air-weapons team engaged the individual, killing him.

Following the engagement, the security force confiscated roadside-bomb-making materials, multiple assault rifles and a chest rack.

The force then moved to search a nearby compound and discovered more bomb-making materials, including 15 pounds of homemade explosives, blasting caps and detonation cord. The force safely removed the materials and detained a suspected insurgent before leaving the area.

In other Afghanistan news yesterday:

-- A combined force detained one suspect in the Almar district of Faryab province. The force detained the individual after observing him conducting insurgent activities in the area.

-- In the Ghazni district of Ghazni province, a combined force detained two suspects while searching for a Taliban leader. The targeted leader participates in kidnappings, hijackings and attacks against Afghan security forces.

-- Four combined force operations in Regional Command East resulted in the deaths of four insurgents, the detention of three suspects and one escaped prisoner. Forces also discovered an enemy weapons cache containing transmitters, 100 kilograms of homemade explosive, 4 kilograms of ammonium nitrate used in the construction of homemade bombs, aluminum powder and a rocket-propelled grenade round.

In Aug. 27 Afghanistan news:

-- Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Marine Corps General John R. Allen, commander of International Security Assistance Force, jointly condemned the terrorist attacks on innocent civilians in Lashkar Gah City and Kandahar City. According to reports, the attack in Lashkar Gah City killed four people and wounded several others, while two attacks in Kandahar City wounded more than 20 people -- the majority being children. "This is another example of the insurgents having no regard for the Afghan people," Allen said. "Attacking innocent civilians to include such a large number of children is an inexcusable and a cowardly act."

-- In Kandahar city in Kandahar province, a combined force detained multiple suspects while searching for a Taliban facilitator who moves ammunition and money for insurgents and monitors Afghan security force operations.

In Aug. 26 Afghanistan news:

-- A combined patrol killed multiple insurgents and detained several suspects during an operation in the Khas Uruzgan district of Uruzgan province. The insurgents were responsible for the production of improvised explosive devices used in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The patrol also seized and destroyed a quantity of small arms.

-- In the Ghazni district of Ghazni province, a combined force detained several suspects while searching for a Taliban leader. The leader directs tactical operations, surveillance and reconnaissance against Afghan security forces.

In Aug. 25 Afghanistan news:

-- A combined patrol killed two insurgents during an operation to disrupt a narcotics network in the Now Zad district of Helmand province. The two insurgents were killed after they engaged the patrol with small-arms fire. The patrol also seized and destroyed a quantity of small arms and ammunition.

-- In the Kandahar district of Kandahar province, a combined patrol discovered and destroyed a cache containing 1,500 pounds of urea nitrate, which can be used to construct IEDs.

-- Also in Kandahar province, a coalition force patrolling the Dand district discovered and destroyed a cache containing 38 bags of homemade explosives, three suicide vests, a 500-foot timed fuse, 20 blasting caps, a pressure cooker and assorted electronics.

-- A combined patrol confiscated a vehicle containing 660 pounds of explosives during an operation in the Andar district of Ghazni province. The explosives were safely destroyed on site.