Forces in Afghanistan Kill, Detain Militants

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15, 2008 -- Afghan and coalition forces killed dozens of militants and detained eight others in separate operations the past three days in Afghanistan, military officials reported.

Eight militants were detained during a joint Afghan National Army and coalition forces operation to disrupt roadside-bomb networks in Paktika province yesterday. The joint force searched compounds in Orgun district targeting a Taliban sub-commander wanted for kidnapping, murdering several Afghan soldiers, and facilitating roadside-bomb operations.

During the operation, military working dogs chased two men who were trying to flee. Both men received dog-bite injuries, one of which required treatment by coalition medical personnel.

Elsewhere, Afghan national security forces and coalition forces killed two militants after they were attacked during a combat security patrol in Nahr Surkh district, in Helmand province, yesterday. Two militants on motorcycles engaged the patrol with small-arms fire. Afghan and coalition forces returned fire and killed both militants.

In operations Aug. 13- 15, coalition forces and Afghan national security forces killed more than three dozen militants over two days of fierce fighting in southern Afghanistan.

Several groups of militants engaged an Afghan and coalition forces reconnaissance patrol over a two-day period with machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms. Afghan and coalition forces returned fire with small arms and close-air support. Afghan and coalition forces destroyed multiple vehicles and enemy fighting positions. They also seized several RPGs, weapons, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and a large opium cache.

Also on Aug. 13, Afghan national security forces and coalition forces killed a militant who attacked a combat security patrol in Shah Wali Kot district, in Kandahar province.

Several militants engaged Afghan and coalition forces with small-arms and indirect fire. Afghan and coalition forces returned fire with small arms and called for supporting fire, killing one militant. An unknown number of militants fled the scene, officials said.

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

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