KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan-international security force killed more than two dozen insurgents and captured several others while pursuing a senior Taliban commander in Kunduz last night.
The combined force went to a compound in the village of Kharid-e Olya, Kunduz District, after intelligence information confirmed the Taliban were staging for a large attack. As the Afghan-led element moved into the target area they immediately began receiving fire from a mosque and surrounding woods, and then returned defensive fires.
Shortly after, several armed individuals ran toward and fired on the combined force. They were engaged and killed.
The insurgents were killed as they continued to fire on the combined force with machine guns, automatic rifles and hand grenades.
Close air support was used, but not on the mosque and compound which received minor damage.
No civilians were harmed during this operation.
Joint Afghan-international operations in Kunduz continue to counter Taliban efforts to facilitate movement of fighters, weapons, and explosives into the area to disrupt legitimate government and security in the region.