KABUL, Afghanistan – A combined Afghan and International Security Assistance Force patrol killed numerous insurgents during multiple engagements while conducting a dismounted patrol in the Sangin District of Helmand province yesterday.
When the patrol was pinned down by small-arms fire, they positively identified the insurgent firing positions and returned fire.
When the force continued to receive fire, they called for artillery and close air support. Coalition forces engaged the insurgent firing positions with two precision artillery rockets. As the patrol moved towards a patrol base, they continued to receive accurate small-arms fire.
Fixed-wing aircraft then engaged the insurgent firing positions with two precision-guided weapons.
Once inside the patrol base, the force received sporadic small-arms fire. The force engaged insurgents firing from a tree line with four rounds of mortars.
Initial reports indicate more than five insurgents were killed in the engagement, with no civilian casualties