THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Several Militants Killed in Helmand Province, Afghanistan

Dozens of 60mm mortar rounds were discovered in a Taliban insurgent’s compound in Helmand province Thursday. Coalition forces destroyed the ammunition to prevent its future use, May 9, 2008. (Photographer: Combined Joint Task Force 101.)

Four rocket propelled grenade warheads and boosters were discovered in a Taliban insurgent’s compound in Helmand province Thursday. Coalition forces destroyed the ammunition to prevent its future use. (Photographer: Combined Joint Task Force 101.)

16 cases of 60 mm mortar fuses were discovered in a Taliban insurgents compound in Helmand province Thursday. Coalition forces destroyed the ammunition to prevent its future use. (Photographer: Combined Joint Task Force 101.)

Dispatches from the Front:

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan, May 9, 2008 -- Several insurgents were killed Thursday during a coalition forces operation to disrupt Taliban support operations in Helmand province.

Coalition forces searched compounds in Garmsir District, targeting a Taliban insurgent associated with weapons facilitation operations including the procurement and smuggling of various types of small-arms, munitions, fuses and explosives.

During their search, coalition forces were fired upon by an unknown number of insurgents from the compounds. Coalition forces responded with small arms and airstrikes, killing several of their attackers.

Numerous PK machine-guns, AK-47’s, rocket propelled grenades, mortar rounds, fuses, small-arms ammunition and ammunition vests were discovered on the compound. Coalition forces destroyed these items to prevent future use.

(Story from a Combined Joint Task Force - 101 press release.)