Airstrike Kills Insurgents in Afghanistan

American Forces Press Service

KABUL, Afghanistan, April 17, 2012 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force called in an airstrike that killed several insurgents in the Nerkh district of Afghanistan’s Wardak province today, military officials reported.

Insurgents were observed setting up a heavy machine gun near a village while preparing to attack Afghan security forces, officials said.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- While searching for a Taliban leader, a combined force called in an airstrike that killed several insurgents in the Khakrez district of Kandahar province. The security force also detained a suspect and seized assault rifles and grenades.

-- A combined force captured a Taliban leader, detained two other insurgents and seized a pistol in the Zurmat district of Paktia province. The leader directed roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also is suspected in supplying bombs for a suicide attack against an Afghan military commander.

In an April 16 operation, combined forces found and destroyed 12 anti-personnel mines, 90 mine detonators, 73 rocket-propelled grenades, 65 RPG fuses, 51 RPG fuel cells and about 9,500 7.62 mm rounds in the Tarin Kot district of Uruzgan province.