OEF Summary, Nov. 16, 2009: Forces in Afghanistan Kill, Detain Militants

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2009 -- Combined Afghan and international forces killed or detained numerous enemy fighters in Afghanistan in recent days, military officials reported.

A combined force in Nangarhar province today detained several suspected militants, including a sought-after Taliban facilitator believed to be responsible for numerous weapons shipments to other militant elements in the area. No shots were fired, and no civilians were harmed during the operation.

In eastern Paktika province yesterday, a combined force killed a group of enemy militants and detained two suspected militants while pursuing a Haqqani terrorist network commander with ties to the local Haqqani leadership. He is believed to be responsible for several attacks in the area.

During the assault, the combined force was fired upon and returned fire. Following no response from calls for occupants to come out, the force cleared the building and killed a group of militants inside and outside the building.

A security element searched the enemy positions and recovered blasting caps, bomb-making materials, rocket-propelled grenades, assault rifles, chest racks and communications equipment.

In a separate operation yesterday, a combined force killed an enemy militant in Wardak province while pursuing a Taliban commander believed to be responsible for planning and executing several attacks in the area. The force was fired upon and returned fire, killing an enemy militant. A security element recovered an assault rifle, ammunition magazines and hand grenades.

Also yesterday, a combined force detained more than a dozen suspected militants while pursuing a Taliban commander operating in Kandahar province who is linked to the local Taliban "shadow governor." Security elements from the combined force pursued suspects seen departing from one of the targeted compounds, detained several suspected militants and recovered an artillery round.

In Kunduz province yesterday, a combined force detained two suspected militants while pursuing a deputy to a Taliban shadow governor.

In other news from Afghanistan, in response to claims of civilian casualties during an operation in Shindand province Nov. 14, International Security Assistance Force officials confirmed the same day that in the early morning hours, a combined force searched a number of compounds associated with a leading roadside-bomber.

Upon entering the targeted complex, the force encountered resistance, and in the subsequent escalation of force, killed one insurgent. The force then was fired upon while clearing the compound, and several armed insurgents were killed, including a woman, officials said.

"The security force protected several women and children present in the compounds, and no civilians were harmed during the operation," ISAF officials said in a statement. "Additionally, ISAF aircraft did not drop munitions in the area."

On Nov. 13, a combined force detained several suspected militants in Zabul province while pursuing a Taliban district commander responsible for several attacks in the area and linked to the local Taliban shadow governor.

After repeated calls for occupants to exit one of the targeted compounds, the force used an explosive charge to enter it. The charge inadvertently wounded an Afghan woman who was standing on the other side of the door. The force provided immediate medical aid to the woman, but she later died. Unspecified numbers of enemy fighters were killed or detained.

An element of the force met with local tribal elders to explain the situation and provided compensation to the damaged building's owner.

(Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command news releases.)