THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Insurgents Killed, Wounded in Taliban Ambush Near Sangin

A coalition forces member pulls security at a province near Camp Price, Afghanistan, on Aug. 11. Photographer: Spc. David Gunn, Joint Combat Camera Center

Coalition forces members burn piles of poppy plants at a province near Camp Price, Afghanistan, Aug. 11. Photographer: Spc. David Gunn, Joint Combat Camera Center

A coalition forces gunner fires at insurgents at a province near Camp Price, Afghanistan, Aug. 11. Photographer: Spc. David Gunn, Joint Combat Camera Center

Coalition forces members Search a compound for insurgents at a province near Camp Price, Afghanistan, Aug. 11. Photographer: Spc. David Gunn, Joint Combat Camera Center

An Afghan police officer searches caves for weapons near Camp Price, Afghanistan, Aug. 13. Photographer: Spc. David Gunn, Joint Combat Camera Center

A coalition forces member searches caves for weapons near Camp Price, Afghanistan, Aug. 13.Photographer: Spc. David Gunn, Joint Combat Camera Center

Dispatches from the Front:

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Aug. 16, 2007 (AFPS) -- A battle that began this afternoon as an attempted insurgent ambush northwest of the Sangin District Center, Helmand province, ended with yet another lopsided defeat for the Taliban who unsuccessfully tried to attack Islamic Republic of Afghanistan national security forces (ANSF).

A combined force led by an element of Afghan national auxiliary police (ANAP), advised by coalition forces, was on a combat patrol, near the village of Regay, when an unknown number of insurgents attacked from multiple compounds and trenches using small-arms fire, mortars and rocket-propelled grenade launchers.

The ANAP-led force repelled the attempted ambush with accurate small-arms fire and artillery. When the insurgents reinforced their fighting positions with additional fighters, the ANAP requested coalition close air support. Coalition aircraft performed precision air strikes on the insurgents who were firing from the compounds and trench line.

Two insurgents were wounded and four were killed in the engagement. No coalition forces or civilians were reported injured.

“The ANSF are defeating the extremist fighters in the Helmand River area because the ANSF forces are trained and cohesive warriors who have become seasoned and skilled defenders of their country,” said Army Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman, a Combined Joint Task Force-82 spokesperson. “Credible intelligence suggests the Taliban will continue their attempt to maintain a strong presence in the region as part of a self-destructive effort to block forces supporting the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan who are clearing the insurgents from the Musa Qala area.”

(Story from Combined Joint Task Force-82 Public Affairs.)