ANSF and coalition SOF conduct clearing operations in the Nawa district

GHAZNI PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

09.21.2011

Courtesy Story

NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan - The Afghan National Army Commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces conducted a clearing operation in the Nawa district, Sept. 19-21, which resulted in the deaths of 19 enemy fighters.

The purpose of the operation was to engage local citizens and make the area permissible for development to occur.

While conducting clearing operations near the village of Rahman Kalay on the first day of operations, the partnered force came under fire from numerous positively identified insurgents.

Coalition SOF members said the group of insurgents fired on the partnered force with small arms and mortar rounds. The partnered forces returned fire killing 19 insurgents.

Following the engagement, the partnered Afghan and coalition element engaged local citizens while continuing to clear through several villages with the Zabul District Chief of Police and the Zabul District Governor present.

“We discovered a significant Kharez system used by insurgents that connects three villages together,” said a coalition SOF team member.

On the second day of the clearing operation the partnered force was again targeted by insurgents using small arms fire, which resulted in five enemy fighters killed in action.

The partnered force also located extensive weapons cache which included: one rocket propelled grenade, six RPG rounds, 11x82mm recoil-less rifle rounds, one PKM with 400 rounds, two AK-47’s, two hand grenades and one load bearing vest with four magazines.

In addition to the weapons cache, the operation resulted in three persons of interest being detained and the destruction of eight insurgent motorcycles.

Following the clearing in each village, the District Governor, an ANA Commander and the District Chief of Police, conducted key leader engagements with village elders to reiterate the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s commitment and dedication to securing villages from insurgency.

• Date Taken: 09.21.2011
• Date Posted: 09.26.2011 14:32
• Story ID: 77607
• Location: GHAZNI PROVINCE, AF