ISAF Commander Condemns Roadside Bomb Attack

 

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30, 2011 – The commander of the International Security Assistance Force condemned a roadside bomb attack that reportedly killed four civilians in Afghanistan’s Uruzgan province today.

A fifth male was listed as critically injured.

"Today, another cowardly insurgent attack killed four innocent Afghans," Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen said of the attack in the province’s Trinkot City. "Our heartfelt thoughts are with the families of those killed and injured. Those responsible for this shameful attack must be held to account for their actions against the people of Afghanistan."

Elsewhere, an Afghan-led and-coalition-supported security force captured two Taliban leaders today during an operation in Kandahar province’s Zharay district, military officials reported.

Both leaders planned attacks against Afghan forces and moved weapons and explosives to include rocket-propelled grenades throughout the district.

The force confiscated multiple firearms during the operation.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- In Helmand province’s Nahr-e Saraj district, a combined security force captured a Taliban leader who was involved in multiple attacks against coalition forces and served as a judge for the Taliban. The force detained two additional suspected insurgents.

-- A combined security force in Kandahar province’s Panjwa‘i district discovered and seized about 660 pounds of marijuana. The drugs will be destroyed at a later date.

--An Afghan-led and coalition-supported security force captured a Haqqani facilitator in Khost province’s Sabari district. The facilitator moved rockets and roadside bombs from Pakistan to Afghanistan. The force confiscated multiple weapons and detained three additional suspected insurgents.

-- In Wardak province’s Nerkh district, a combined security force captured a Taliban facilitator who supplied bomb-making materials, acquired weapons and ammunition, and participated in attacks in the Maidan Shahr district.

-- An Afghan-led and coalition-supported security force captured a Taliban leader during an operation in Logar province’s Baraki Barak district. The leader distributed weapons, specialized in the construction of roadside bombs, and conducted attacks against Afghan forces. The force detained two additional suspected insurgents.

-- An Afghan-led and coalition-supported security force searched for insurgent leaders in Farah province’s Bakwah district earlier this week. As the force approached an identified enemy position, several insurgents opened fire. Assessing an immediate threat, the security force engaged the insurgents. Mullah Toyeb, a high-level insurgent leader, was killed along with insurgent commanders known as Iliyas and Delawar, and a number of additional insurgents.

Security forces also recovered several weapons, ammunition, rockets and bomb-making equipment from the scene. No Afghan or coalition forces were injured during the operation.

In Afghanistan operations yesterday:
-- A coalition airstrike killed an insurgent after troops positively identified him carrying weapons in Kapisa province’s Tagab district.

-- Afghan National Army troops with 3rd Kandak, 201st Corps, detained five individuals wanted for questioning in Tagab district.

-- Combined forces detained five insurgents after a small-arms fire engagement in Ghazni province’s Dehyak district.

-- Afghan soldiers troops with 4th Kandak, 203rd Corps detained two individuals for suspicious activities in Logar province’s Pul-e-alam district.

-- Afghan police officers in Nangarhar province’s Khugyani district detained an individual who tested positive for explosives.

-- Coalition forces seized 10 pounds of poppy seeds, two bags of fertilizer, two jugs of ammonia, 20 rounds of assorted 7.62mm x .45-caliber, a scope, a shotgun and a .22-caliber rifle in Laghman province’s Alingar district.

-- An unmanned aerial vehicle crashed in Khost province’s Khost district due to mechanical problems. The UAV was recovered and there was no enemy activity in the area prior to the crash.