OEF Summary, May 8, 2009: Troops in Afghanistan Seize 600 Pounds of Opium, Kill 7 Militants

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, May 8, 2009 -- Afghan forces, advised by coalition forces, confiscated 600 pounds of opium and killed seven armed militants last night during operations in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Afghanistan’s Helmand province.

Prompted by local reports of Taliban activities in the area, the Afghan forces launched a search of compounds in a known insurgent safe haven and narcotics hub. The Afghan-led force found the opium, an AK-47 assault rifle with 1,000 rounds and remote-controlled bomb-making components during the search.

The Afghan forces also found a trauma room fully stocked with medical supplies and ready to treat militant casualties.

As the combined forces were searching the compounds, coalition air support helicopters began receiving small-arms fire from militants on the ground. They returned fire, killing five armed militants. Two more armed insurgents were killed as they prepared to ambush Afghan forces.

Three suspected militants were taken into custody. No combined force or civilian injuries were reported.

(From a U.S. Forces Afghanistan news release.)

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