THE TENSION: Troops in Afghanistan Kill 17 Militants in Kandahar

A coalition forces soldier watches for insurgents as a camel passes behind him during combat operations in Shah Wali Kot District, Kandahar province, Nov. 22. The operation was successful, resulting in several small caches being destroyed and 17 insurgents killed. (Photographer: U.S. Forces Afghanistan.)

A coalition forces soldier sets up a communications relay during combat operations in Shah Wali Kot District, Kandahar province, Nov. 22. Afghan national security forces and coalition forces conducted an air assault mission into a known insurgent ‘safe haven’, killing 17 militants and destroying several small caches. (Photographer: U.S. Forces Afghanistan.)

An Afghan commando puts a local woman and her child at ease as they conduct combat operations in Shah Wali Kot District, Kandahar province, Nov. 22. The Afghan national security forces and coalition forces secured the noncombatants and kept them safe before continuing on with their mission in a known insurgent ‘safe haven.’ (Photographer: U.S. Forces Afghanistan.)

An Afghan commando assumes an over watch position during combat operations in Shah Wali Kot District, Kandahar province, Nov. 22. (Photographer: U.S. Forces Afghanistan.)

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 25, 2008 -- Afghan national security forces and coalition forces killed 17 insurgents during an air assault operation in Shah Wali Kot District, Kandahar province, Nov. 22.

ANSF and coalition forces conducted an air assault operation into a known insurgent ‘safe haven’ to interdict enemy supplies and personnel. Insurgents fired on ANSF and coalition forces with automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades from multiple locations. ANSF and coalition forces returned fire with organic weapons and supporting fires on the insurgent fighting positions, killing 17 militants.

During the operation, several small weapons caches were discovered and destroyed on site. The caches contained ammunition and improvised explosive device making materials. No ANSF, coalition forces or civilian casualties were reported.

“The ANSF continue to successfully engage and defeat insurgent forces,” said Gen. Azimi, chief spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry of Defense. “They will not stop until all militant ‘safe havens’ are removed.”

(Compiled from a U.S. Forces Afghanistan news release.)