OEF Update, Oct. 29, 2009: Militants Detained; US Casualty

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 29, 2009 -- An Afghan and international security force detained a few suspected militants today in Lashkar Gah district, Helmand province, during a compound search operation.

The compound is known to be used by a senior Taliban commander with numerous connections to other Taliban commanders and leaders of the Taliban shadow government in the region.

The security force searched the compound near the village of Barang after intelligence indicated militant activity. The joint force searched the compound without incident and detained the suspected militants. No shots were fired, and no one was injured.

ISAF Casualties

Two International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) servicemembers were killed in two separate IED strikes in southern Afghanistan October 28.

"We are deeply saddened and offer our condolences to the friends and families of those killed," said Navy Capt. Jane Campbell, IJC spokesperson. "Our mission to help protect Afghans is challenging, and despite this loss of life we remain focused on achieving our security objectives along with helping Afghans improve governance and development."

It is ISAF policy to defer identification procedures of casualties to the relevant national authorities. Capt. Campbell confirmed one of the servicemembers killed was from the United States.

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