ISAF Joint Command evening operational update

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

03.18.2011

Courtesy Story

IJC Public Affairs Advisory Team- Regional Command North

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan national security and International Security Assistance Forces killed several suspected insurgents during a combined operation to detain a known insurgent leader in Nahr-e Saraj District, Helmand province, today.

The insurgent leader, Mullah Zahir, is a weapons and improvised explosive devices facilitator who carried out several attacks on Afghan and coalition forces in Gereshk District.

During the detention operation, Afghan and coalition forces declared an imminent threat on several suspected insurgents opposing the operation. After gaining positive identification, combined forces engaged the suspected insurgents with aimed shots, killing several.

Mullah Zahir was among the killed insurgents.

The children and women present at the compound were protected throughout the operation.

In other ISAF news throughout Afghanistan:

South

In Nahr-e Saraj District, Helmand province, coalition forces spotted several armed insurgents displaying hostile intent against an ISAF combat post in the area. After establishing positive identification, coalition forces engaged the enemy position, killing one insurgent and forcing the others to flee.

In the same province, coalition forces established positive identification on two insurgents emplacing an IED in Marjah district, and called for air support. After gaining positive identification, the air weapons team engaged the enemy position, killing two insurgents.

During a separate clearing operation, a combined security patrol was engaged by insurgents in the Knod valley of Shahid-e Hasas District, Uruzgan province. After gaining positive identification of the enemy position, combined forces returned fire killing one insurgent.

There have been no civilian casualties or collateral damages following these operations.

East

In Ghazni province, an ISAF patrol discovered a large weapons, IED-making components and chemicals cache in Deh Yak district. The cache consisted of 1,000 7.62 mm rounds, one rifle, 33 hand-grenades, 19 fuses, 12 hulls of anti-personnel mine, 178 pounds (81 kilograms) of ammonium nitrate and 44 pounds (20 kilograms) of magnesium. Coalition forces also detained more than 20 suspected insurgents related to the cache.

All weapons, IED-making components and chemicals were confiscated and will be destroyed.

• Date Taken: 03.18.2011
• Date Posted: 03.18.2011 13:35
• Story ID: 67300
• Location: KABUL, AF