KABUL, Afghanistan – A combined Afghan and International Security Assistance Force patrol repelled an insurgent attack while conducting a dismounted patrol in the Sangin district of Helmand province Thursday.
The patrol came under attack from small-arms fire shortly after a member of the patrol was struck by an improvised explosive device. The force positively identified multiple insurgent firing positions and returned fire with small-arms and grenades.
The patrol continued to take fire while trying to evacuate its casualties by helicopter. The coalition force called for an air weapons team and close air support. The air weapons team engaged an insurgent position with a missile and its 30mm cannon.
A fixed-wing aircraft engaged insurgent positions with a precision-guided weapon and several strafing passes. Coalition forces also engaged insurgent positions with two rounds of precision artillery.
Initial reports indicate 15 insurgents were killed in the engagement, with no civilian casualties.