Afghan, Coalition forces kill four Taliban commanders in Farah

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

05.31.2009

Courtesy Story

U.S. Forces Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghan national army soldiers of the 207th Corps, assisted by coalition forces, killed four Taliban commanders and eight fighters in the Khaki Safeed District, Farah province, during two separate incidents May 28 and 31.

Two Taliban commanders were killed as they led an attack against a friendly forces convoy, May 31. The combined force was conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol when they were engaged by militants near a village using small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. The combined patrol ensured there were no non-combatants in the vicinity before returning fire.

Mid-level Taliban commanders Mullah Sadiq and Mullah Salam were positively identified among the dead militants. Mullah Sadiq was a prominent Taliban figure in Farah's Pusht Rod District and Mullah Salam commanded up to fifty fighters in the area. Both men were responsible for countless attacks against Afghan and coalition firebases, Afghan security force checkpoints and local district centers.

Following the firefight, the combined elements searched the area and recovered weapons and equipment, to include six assault rifles, three machine guns, two RPG launchers, one hand gun, 1 block of plastic explosives, 12 RPG rounds, an ammunition can, three drums for the machine gun and two grenades.

Two other Taliban commanders were killed by Afghan soldiers in the Kaki Safeed District, May 28. Mullah Faizullah and Fazel Ahmad were eliminated with small arms fire as they approached a friendly forces convoy on a motorcycle, armed with an assault rifle, machine gun and RPG launcher.

Mullah Faizullah was a Taliban logistician and chief weapons facilitator. He had ties to top leadership from both the Taliban and other militant organizations. Ahmad was believed to have had close ties to militant commanders in the area.

No ANA, coalition force or non-combatant casualties were reported.

• Date Taken: 05.31.2009
• Date Posted: 06.01.2009 10:06
• Story ID: 34373
• Location: KABUL, AF