IJC Operational Update, July 16

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

07.16.2010

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

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KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and international security forces conducted operations in Helmand, Kunduz, Kandahar and Kapisa provinces yesterday and last night.

An Afghan international security force detained a number of suspected insurgents in Helmand province last night while pursuing a Taliban commander in Lashkar Gah district.

The combined security force went to a series of compounds in Nahr-e Saraj district to search the area. The joint security force discovered multiple automatic weapons, grenades, military gear and heroin during the sweep.

No shots were fired and women and children present were protected by the combined security force

Since May 1, operations in Helmand province have killed a large number of insurgents and led to the capture of 12 Taliban commanders and more than 170 suspected insurgents.

A separate Afghan-international security force killed an insurgent and detained several other suspected insurgents during an operation in Kunduz province last night.

The combined security force went to a compound suspected of hosting insurgent activity in Qal’ehcheh, Kunduz district and were immediately engaged by a heavily armed insurgent and the security force returned fire killing him.

Insurgent fighters in the compound also shot three rocket propelled grenades (RPG) at the assault force, but the shots were ineffective.

After the fighting ceased, Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to peacefully exit the building. When no response was observed the security force cleared and secured the buildings and detained the suspected insurgents. Automatic weapons, magazines and ammunition holders were found at the scene.

Another Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban commander, his deputy and several other suspected insurgents in Kandahar province last night.

The commander and deputy are known to coordinate improvised explosive device (IED) attacks against Afghan civilians and coalition forces, and traffic weapons in the province.

The insurgents were detained after the combined security force interviewed residents of a targeted compound in Molla Alam Kalay outside Kandahar City.

No shots were fired and women and children were protected by the combined security force.
Afghan and international forces have focused their efforts on capturing and killing key insurgent leaders operating in and around Kandahar.

Since May 1, Afghan and coalition forces have captured and killed a large number of Taliban leaders and other insurgents in Kandahar province.

A separate Afghan-international security force detained a suspected insurgent in Kapisa last night while pursuing a Taliban commander responsible for IED and ambush attacks against coalition forces.

The security force went to a series of compounds east of Doran in Tagab district to search the area. Afghan soldiers used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants of the first compound to peacefully exit the compound.

One insurgent escaped the targeted compound and hid in a nearby compound. When the security force went to investigate, the suspected insurgent attempted to engage the security force with a pistol. The combined force engaged him in self-defense killing the man.

“These operations are bearing fruit and will continue. Partnered Afghan and international forces will not relent until we eliminate the insurgent presence and stabilize the nation,” said Col. Rafael Torres, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director.

An ISAF patrol discovered weapons and drugs in Nawah-ye Barakzai district, Helmand province yesterday.

The cache consisted of 21 RPGs, six RPG motors, nine hand grenades, 10 kilograms of home-made explosives and 15 kilograms of heroin.

The suspected insurgents were detained and the drugs and weapons were destroyed.

Afghan security forces successfully disarmed two rockets set on timing devices, which were ready to fire into Kabul City from Khak-e Jabbar district of Kabul province yesterday.