Insurgent Attack Fails at ISAF Base

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

Aug. 20, 2010 - Insurgents launched an unsuccessful attack on International Security Assistance Forces at Forward Operating Base Bostick, located in the Nari district of eastern Afghanistan's Kunar province today, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command officials reported.

The insurgents attacked with indirect and small-arms fire that was quickly suppressed when ISAF soldiers returned fire, officials said.

Two Afghan civilians outside the base were injured and were treated and released by ISAF soldiers. No coalition servicemembers were injured, and no permanent damage was incurred during the attack.

Also today, Afghan and coalition forces conducted a combined operation resulting in the detention of more than 10 people with suspected insurgent links in Helmand province's Sangin district. The target of the operation was a Taliban commander who is a key coordinator of insurgent operations in Helmand. He also is responsible for daily operations in a roadside-bomb factory in Sangin.

Elsewhere during an overnight operation, Afghan and coalition forces in Afghanistan's Khost province captured a Haqqani terrorist network subcommander who facilitates weapons into the province and reports directly to senior Haqqani leaders based in Pakistan.

As the security force approached the targeted compound, they observed two men running from the targeted building to a nearby compound. The security force pursued the individuals and as they approached, they saw someone point a weapon out of one of the windows within the compound where the men had gone. The assault force engaged the threat in self-defense and then entered the compound.

Inside the room, they found a woman dead and another with a minor wound as a result of the gunfire. An assault rifle was next to the dead woman, and other weapons found in the building. Four men also were in the compound during the engagement.

"Afghan and coalition forces do not intentionally target women, and we take these incidents very seriously," said Army Col. Rafael Torres, director of ISAF Joint Command's combined joint operations center. "We are taking a step-by-step approach in investigating what happened during this operation."

The security force provided medical attention to the wounded woman at the scene. She later was taken to a coalition forces medical facility as a precautionary measure, along with two male relatives as escorts.

While questioning people at the scene, the security force identified and detained the Haqqani operative along with several suspected insurgents. In the compound where the commander was located, the security force found rifles, grenades, ammunition magazines and an ammunition belt.

In operations around Afghanistan yesterday:

-- An Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected insurgents, including a Taliban commander, in Paktika province's Mota Khan district. The commander planned and coordinated attacks against coalition forces and facilitated the weapons used in his attacks. The assault force found weapons and ammunition at the scene.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected insurgents in Helmand province's Lashkar Gah district while pursuing a Taliban military commander with direct ties to senior Taliban leaders based in Pakistan. After questioning the targeted compound's residents, the security force detained the suspected insurgents and found an assault rifle with three loaded magazines, along with Taliban propaganda. The assault force did not fire their weapons, and they protected women and children throughout the search.

-- In Kandahar province, an Afghan and coalition security force detained a suspected insurgent during an operation targeting a Taliban commander who equips Taliban fighters for attacks against Afghan civilians and Afghan and coalition forces in Kandahar City. He also supplies weapons and bombs for the Arghandab insurgent network, officials said. The assault force did not fire their weapons, and they protected women and children throughout the search.

-- An Afghan and coalition security force detained the deputy commander of the Pul-e Alam district Taliban network in Logar province. After questioning the residents of the targeted compound near Kowtgay, the security force detained the commander and two additional suspected insurgents. They also found and destroyed a large weapons cache consisting of rocket-propelled grenades, mortars, assault rifles, ammunition for automatic weapons and military gear. The assault force did not fire their weapons, and they protected women and children during the search.

Earlier this week, a U.S. special operation forces team caught insurgents in the act of planting a roadside bomb Aug. 17 in northern Zabul province. During the subsequent engagement, two insurgents were killed and two others were wounded.

In other news, an Afghan civilian was found dead and tied to a sign between two homemade bombs in Kandahar province today. The man had been shot in the head before being tied up. The bombs appear to have been placed near his body to target first responders attempting to help him, local police said.

In Nangarhar province's Bati Kot district yesterday, two Afghan civilians were killed and at least 10 others were wounded when a fuel truck exploded near a bazaar. The explosion also destroyed three civilian vehicles and caused damage to nearby shops. Initial reports indicate the blast was caused by an insurgent bomb, officials said. The incident is under investigation.