KABUL, Afghanistan — A joint Afghan and international security force killed several militants and accidentally killed an Afghan child during an overnight operation against a Taliban commander and his element in Pul-e Alam District, Logar province.
The joint force immediately received hostile fire upon arrival to the compound and returned fire. The joint force issued verbal commands for all residents to exit the building and several women and children complied and exited safely. The joint force issued several more commands to ensure all residents exited the building.
After no response to subsequent commands to exit the building, the joint force then assaulted the building and killed several enemy militants. During the search of the building, joint force members discovered a child who had been wounded in the exchange of fire. The joint force members provided immediate medical care to the child and transported the child and mother to a nearby hospital. The child later died of his wounds.
"We are deeply sorry for the loss of any life, especially a child. We carefully plan our operations and take many precautions to prevent this type of tragedy," said Col. Wayne Shanks, an ISAF spokesman. "However, we also must act to prevent many more casualties Taliban elements could cause in the Logar area. The joint forces' actions will stop more innocent Afghans from being killed or injured as well as protect our troops in the area."
The joint force also found and recovered AK-47 rifles, grenades and chest racks from the compound. The joint force identified the Taliban commander among the dead.
This commander and his element were responsible for multiple attacks against and kidnappings of Afghan civilians. They are also involved in the facilitation of weapons to other militant elements in the region.
The Taliban uses an extensive network of supply routes in eastern Afghanistan to arm, man and equip its militant elements within the country. Afghan and international security forces are working together to block these routes and ensure the safety and well being of the Afghan people.