KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and NATO forces conducted an operation in Sayed Abad district, Wardak province early Jan. 13. During the operation, an Afghan and coalition security force killed four armed insurgents after the insurgents attacked. Four insurgents were killed, and one Afghan soldier died in the operation. After the engagement, the security force discovered a cache of weapons and explosives and destroyed it on site before withdrawing from the area.
“There was no airstrike during the operation, as many media outlets are reporting,” said Colonel Tom Collins, ISAF director of public affairs. “The operation was initiated to disrupt insurgent activities in the area, but again, ISAF did not drop any munitions from aircraft. These reports are simply not true.”
ISAF is aware of reports that Afghan civilians were killed and injured after the operation. ISAF takes all allegations of civilian casualties seriously and will conduct a joint investigation with Afghan officials to determine the facts.
ISAF further stated that the operation was led by Afghan forces with NATO forces in support.