Taliban commander, insurgents killed in raid on insurgent training camp

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

07.16.2010

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan-international security force killed a Taliban commander and a number of insurgents in Farah province yesterday.

The commander, Mullah Akhtar, was responsible for bringing foreign fighters from Iran into Afghanistan.

The combined security force went to a Taliban and foreign fighter training camp in Bala Boluk district based on tips provided to the security force.

As the security force approached the site a group of individuals fired on the security force. A coalition aircraft provided suppressive fire to allow the security force to close in on the suspected insurgents. During the assault, an enemy fighter detonated an improvised explosive device. None of the security force members were injured by the blast.

During the initial sweep, the security force found one of the dead fighters had booby trapped himself with a hand grenade rigged to detonate if moved. There were no injuries as a result of the subsequent detonation.

The security force continued to pursue the retreating insurgents – several of whom engaged the security force from a truck poorly disguised as an Afghan National Police vehicle. A coalition aircraft returned fire, killing the insurgents.

The security force secured the area and found multiple automatic weapons, hand grenades, small-arms, IED-making components, two rocket propelled grenade launchers and multiple RPG rockets with and around the dead insurgents.

No civilians were injured during this operation.

• Date Taken: 07.16.2010
• Date Posted: 07.16.2010 04:08
• Story ID: 52907
• Location: KABUL, AF