OEF Update, Oct. 24, 2009: Forces in Afghanistan Kill, Detain Militants; 2 US Troops Killed

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 24, 2009 -- An Afghan-international security force killed a dozen militants and detained several suspected militants in Kandahar Province on Thursday after stopping a number of vehicles in pursuit of a Taliban commander of Maywand District.

The joint security force initially targeted a number of vehicles in transit across southern Maywand District after intelligence indicated militant activity. Several militants were killed after they failed to respond to warnings used by the joint force in the attempts to gain compliance of the militants and their vehicles. Additionally, several suspected militants were detained. Subsequently, the joint force received hostile fire from militants in multiple vehicles maneuvering in the direction of the joint force. The joint force returned fire, killing another group of militants.

The joint force searched each of the vehicles and recovered a number of small arms weapons, documents and 2,600 pounds of black tar heroin. The joint force identified one of the dead militants as the sought-after Taliban commander of Maywand District.

In a separate operation, the Afghan-international security force detained several suspected militants after searching compounds in Wardak Province known to be used by a Taliban commander and facilitator and his element responsible for several rocket and IED attacks in the region.

The joint security force targeted the compounds near the village of Patankhel in the Sayed Abad District after intelligence indicated militant activity. The joint force searched the compound without incident and detained several suspected militants. No shots were fired and no one was injured in the search.

ISAF Casualties

An ISAF service member died of wounds sustained during a fire-fight while on a routine patrol in southern Afghanistan. Two U.S. servicemembers died as a result of an improvised explosive device attack also in southern Afghanistan. Both incidents occurred Oct. 23.

(Compiled from NATO International Security Assistance Force news releases.)