Forces in Afghanistan Thwart Ambushes, Kill Enemy Fighters

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2008 -- Coalition and Afghan forces thwarted three ambushes, killing at least 17 enemy fighters and seizing explosive materials and weapons in Afghanistan over the past two days, military officials said.

About 100 militants attacked coalition and Afghan forces today with small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades in the Tarin Kowt district of Uruzgan province, before fleeing into a nearby village.

Coalition aircraft identified and engaged the enemy position with a precision air strike. Military officials did not indicate if, or how many, militants were killed in the counterstrike.

Today’s engagement comes a day after an unknown number of enemy fighters attacked a combined reconnaissance patrol in Tarin Kowt district.

The ambush in the restive area yesterday occurred as coalition and Afghan forces investigated a site used by militants to attack an Afghan army checkpoint earlier this week, military officials said.

Combined forces retaliated with an air strike that killed an estimated 17 militants. The strike triggered a secondary explosion in a compound, where forces later recovered remnants of bomb-making materials.

In a separate operation yesterday, armed militants fired on coalition forces from a compound in the Zurmat district while troops were searching for two militant leaders. Military officials said the leaders are linked to attacks against Afghan government and coalition forces.

The force responded with small-arms fire and air strikes, killing several militants inside a building. One militant detonated a suicide-bomb in the compound, killing only himself. A woman inside the building died as a result of the coalition counterstrike.

Coalition forces also discovered multiple AK-47 assault rifles, a sniper rifle, ammunition vests, small-arms ammunition, and grenades in the operation.

(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 101 news releases.)

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