Insurgents Killed in Firefight, Airstrike

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, May 17, 2012 – An Afghan and coalition security force engaged in a firefight and called in a close-air-support strike that killed multiple insurgents in the Jaji district of Afghanistan’s Paktia province today, military officials reported.

The security force was searching for a Haqqani network leader. As the force approached the leader’s suspected compound, Afghan soldiers asked the people inside to come out.

Insurgents inside the building then opened fire on the security force, while another group of insurgents moved outside the compound and engaged the force with small-arms fire.

The Afghan and coalition troops returned fire and called for close air support.

Following the engagement, the security force determined that multiple insurgents were killed and no civilians were harmed. The security force also detained several additional insurgents and recovered multiple weapons and grenades.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- A combined force detained several insurgents during a search for a Taliban facilitator in the Dand district of Kandahar province. The facilitator distributes weapons and ammunition to insurgents for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He is also suspected in a plot to infiltrate Afghan national security forces.

-- A combined force detained several suspected insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province. The leader conducts roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition troops. He also supplies weapons, ammunition and explosives to insurgents under his control.

-- A combined force detained a Taliban leader and another insurgent and recovered bomb-making components in the Zurmat district of Paktika province. The leader, who is an explosives expert, planned and conducted roadside bombings, suicide attacks and indirect-fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also owned an electronics shop, where he held Taliban meetings and built remotely detonated bombs.

In operations yesterday:

-- A combined force found more than 2,480 pounds of opium in Helmand’s Nawah-ye Barakzai district.

-- A combined force killed nine insurgents in Paktia’s Jaji district. The insurgents were seen planting a roadside bomb. They were killed after they engaged NATO forces with direct fire.

In May 15 operations:

-- A combined force detained a Taliban leader along with several other suspects in the Aliabad district of Kunduz province. The leader planned and organized roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also provided weapons and ammunition to insurgents and attempted to recruit new insurgent fighters.

In May 13 operations:

-- A combined force detained multiple suspects and seized 21 homemade bombs, four rocket-propelled grenades, a mortar, seven assault rifles, a machine gun, more than 8 pounds of opium and 30 motorbikes in the Khake Safayd district of Farah province.