Karzai, Allen Condemn Attacks in Afghanistan

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Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Aug. 26, 2011 – Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force, jointly condemned today’s insurgent attacks in Herat and Faryab, Afghanistan, military officials reported.

The attacks killed five civilians, including a woman, and wounded 24 others, officials said.

Reports indicate the explosives were detonated at a public place in Herat and near a mosque in Faryab.

"Again, insurgents have murdered and maimed innocent civilians," Allen said in a statement issued today. "It's clear from these many callous acts that the lives and livelihoods of Afghan citizens mean nothing to these enemies of Afghanistan. We join President Karzai and [the ministry of interior] in condemning these heinous attacks, and we will work together to relentlessly pursue these enemies of peace and Afghanistan sovereignty."

In Afghanistan news yesterday:

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained numerous suspected Haqqani network insurgents during an operation in the Sabari district of Afghanistan’s Khost province. The force detained the men while searching for a Haqqani facilitator who coordinates ambushes and emplaces roadside bombs.

-- In the Zurmat district of Paktia province, a combined security force detained several suspects while searching for a Haqqani facilitator who is responsible for the movement of insurgent weapons and explosives in the region.

-- A combined patrol discovered and destroyed a large cache of bomb- and improvised explosive device-making materials in the Sangin district of Helmand province. The cache consisted of two 105 mm shells each filled with nine pounds of explosives, 50 pounds of nitrogen-based powder, 55 pounds of citric acid monohydrate powder, 55 pound bags of monosodium glutamate powder, six hand grenades, 30 blasting caps, one pressure plate, 100 feet of detonation cord, one chest rack, three antennas and one radio. A bag of an unknown powder also was discovered.

In Aug. 24 Afghanistan news:

-- A combined patrol killed one insurgent and detained two suspects during an operation in the Qarah Bagh district of Ghazni province. The patrol also seized and safely destroyed two grenades and a quantity of small arms and ammunition.

-- A combined force detained two suspects during an operation targeting an insurgent leader in the Kabul district of Kabul province. The leader is responsible for IED and other attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- A combined patrol killed numerous insurgents during an operation in the Khas Uruzgan district of Uruzgan province. The insurgents were killed after they engaged the patrol with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire. Following the firefight, the patrol discovered and destroyed some small arms and ammunition.