International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs

Courtesy Story

KABUL, Afghanistan – A joint International Security Assistance Force and an Afghan National Army unit came under attack by rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire near Kapisa in eastern Afghanistan Oct. 31.

As a result of the engagement, seven civilians were injured. Additionally, one ISAF service member was wounded and one insurgent was killed. Following the attack, the injured civilians and the service member were transported to an ISAF medical treatment facility for care, where subsequently one civilian died despite receiving medical treatment

An initial report indicates the insurgents may have used the civilians as shields during the attack.
"Protecting Afghan civilians and providing for their security is ISAF's top priority," said Air Force Lt. Col. Todd Vician, an ISAF Joint Command spokesman. "Unlike the insurgents, our forces do all we can to avoid civilian casualties and provide care when civilians are injured."

Afghan-International security forces detain suspected militants

An Afghan-international security force detained several suspected militants in Khowst province in eastern Afghanistan after searching a compound known to be frequented by a Haqqani enabler involved with several IED and small arms attacks in the area. Enablers are the lower ranking militant-cooperators who work for the insurgents at the district and village levels.

The joint security force selected the compounds near the village of Paru Kheyl in the Sabari district after intelligence indicated militant activity. The joint force searched the compound without incident, recovered several small arms weapons and ammunition, and detained the suspected militants. One of the detained suspects was identified as the sought-after Haqqani enabler. No shots were fired and no one was injured.

In a separate event, an Afghan-international security force searched a number of compounds in Ghazni province in eastern Afghanistan known to be used by a Taliban enabler and his element currently operating in the area. The joint security force selected the compounds near the village of Rad Kheyl in Zanakhan district after intelligence indicated militant activity. The joint force searched the compounds without incident and recovered multiple RPG rounds, a mortar round and PKM machine gun ammunition, which was located in a mosque. All items were destroyed in a safe place away from buildings and structures. No shots were fired and no one was injured.

ISAF Casualties

In southern Afghanistan during separate incidents, two ISAF service members died Oct. 31. One ISAF member was killed when his patrol struck an improvised explosive device. The other service member died of wounds received after encountering an IED while on patrol.

It is ISAF policy to defer identification procedures of casualties to the relevant national authorities. The service member who died of wounds was from the United States.

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