Explosives removed, suspects detained in Kandahar clearing operation

Photo By Sgt. Daniel P. Shook | An F-15 Eagle flies over Khakrez District in support of an operation to impede insurgent activity in the area, March 12, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. The Afghan-led joint operation, supported by Special Operations Task Force - South, yielded 80lbs of homemade explosives, two 107mm rockets, as well as quantities of small arms and ammunitions. Also on the operation was the Khakrez District Chief of Police, Mullah Gul.  

KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

03.12.2011

Courtesy Story

NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – Afghan and Coalition Forces removed nine suspected insurgents from the battlefield during a clearing operation March 12 in Khakrez District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan.

Afghan Commandos from 3rd Commando Kandak, the Khakrez District Chief of Police, Mullah Gul, and service members from Special Operations Task Force – South conducted the operation which also resulted in the recovery and destruction of multiple weapons cache’s, which included: Two 107mm rockets, one Lee Enfield rifle, 600 rounds of PKM (heavy-machine gun) ammunition, PKM tripod, a bag of DShK (anti-aircraft gun) ammunition, ammunition vest and 80 pounds of homemade explosives.

“The utilization of the district chief of police continues to enhance mission success by allowing a Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan representative the ability to engage the local population,” said the SOTF-South team leader in charge of the operation.

Eight of the suspected insurgents were taken into Afghan National Police custody under the control of the district chief of police, while the other was taken into custody by Afghan National Army Special Forces.

There were no civilian casualties or property damage reported during the operation.

• Date Taken: 03.12.2011
• Date Posted: 03.15.2011 02:35
• Story ID: 67063
• Location: KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AF