NURISTAN, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition officials said a partnered force found several buildings in the village of Barg-e Matal, Nuristan province, destroyed in the late evening hours of July 25.
An Afghan National Army-led force, assisted by U.S. Special Operations Forces, was conducting an operation in the Barg-e Matal area to disrupt known insurgent activities after intelligence confirmed militant activity in the area. Upon arrival to the village, the combined force found several buildings destroyed.
Afghan officials in Nuristan district said insurgents are terrorizing the local citizens living Barg-e Matal and are using the area as a staging base to prepare for attacks against Afghan government officials, innocent citizens, and Afghan and coalition forces.
Maj. Brandon Bissell, a coalition spokesperson, said recent operations conducted in Barg-e Matal have come by request of the Afghan government.
“This is another example of the insurgents’ total disregard for human life and personal property,” said Bissell, a coalition spokesperson.