KABUL, Afghanistan — An Afghan-international security force found the bound and gagged bodies of three women during an operation in the Gardez district, Paktiya province last night.
The joint force went to a compound near the village of Khatabeh, after intelligence confirmed militant activity. Several insurgents engaged the joint force in a fire fight and were killed. Subsequently, a large number of men, women, and children exited the compound and were detained by the joint force. When the joint force entered the compound they conducted a thorough search of the area and found the bodies of three women who had been tied up, gagged and killed. The bodies had been hidden in an adjacent room.
The joint force immediately secured the area and requested expert medical support and will conduct a joint forensic investigation.
Eight men were detained for further questioning.