OEF Update, Nov. 13, 2009: VBIED Attack; Forces Nab Taliban Commander in Wardak

Dispatches from the Front:

Kabul, Afghanistan, Nov. 13, 2009 -- A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated on Jalalabad Road in Kabul, Afghanistan, around 8 a.m. today, injuring nine ISAF servicemembers, 10 civilian contractors and several Afghans. No ISAF servicemembers were killed.

"The insurgents use indiscriminate attacks like this to attempt to intimidate international forces and our Afghan partners, but we will continue our important efforts in support of the Afghan people," said Navy Capt. Jane Campbell, IJC spokesperson.

Afghan-International Security Force Detains Taliban Commander in Wardak:

An Afghan-international security force killed a couple of enemy militants and detained several militants in Wardak province today, one of which was a Taliban commander responsible for several attacks in the area.

The joint security force searched the buildings near the village of Badam Kalay in Nerkh district where intelligence sources indicated a known Taliban commander to be located.

During the operation, the force surrounded a mosque, used by the Taliban commander to cache weapons, and called for the militants to surrender. The force received heavy hostile machine gun fire originating from the mosque and responded with precision fire, killing two of the militants. The force again called for the remaining militants to surrender. Several other militants surrendered, including the Taliban commander.

Afghan members of the joint force then entered and secured the mosque and recovered a medium machine gun, multiple AK47s, grenades, a pistol, ammunition, video recorder and communications equipment. Following the operation, village elders discussed the operation with the joint force and examined the militant weapons cache in the mosque. No Afghan civilians were harmed.

Afghan-International Security Force Detains Taliban Militants in Zabul:

An Afghan-international security force detained a group of suspected militants after searching compounds today in Zabul province known to be used by a Taliban commander responsible for making IEDs and conducting attacks in the area. After searching the compounds without incident, the joint force detained the suspected militants. No shots were fired, and no one was injured.

Afghan-International Security Force Interdicts Taliban Militants in Khost:

An Afghan-international security force killed an enemy militant and detained a group of suspected militants in Khost province today while pursuing a local Taliban shadow governor with numerous links to Haqqani senior leadership in the area.

The joint security force targeted a series of buildings near the village of Bazikani in the Spera district after intelligence indicated militant activity. The enemy militant was killed when he fired on the joint force. The force searched the buildings, detained the suspected militants and recovered a number of small arms weapons. No Afghan civilians were harmed during this operation.

Afghan-International Security Force Interdicts Taliban Militants in Kandahar:

In a separate operation Nov. 12 in Kandahar City, an Afghan and international force detained one suspected militant while pursuing a senior Taliban facilitator and sub-commander who operates in the area.

The joint security force searched a compound after intelligence indicated militant activity. The joint force conducted the search without incident and detained one suspected militant for additional questioning. No shots were fired and no one was injured.

Tons of Wheat Seed and Supplies Issued to Farmers in Helmand Province:

In October and November, officials from the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, development groups and ISAF personnel distributed thousands of tons of agricultural products to farmers in Helmand province.

The products included wheat seed, fertiliser and insecticide, which Afghan farmers will use to grow crops during the winter growing season. The wheat should be ready for harvesting in spring 2010.

Nearly 40,000 farmers in eights districts of Helmand province participated in the distribution program, which will contribute to economic development in the region and provide food for the population.

During a visit to the wheat issuing center in Lashkar Gah, Governor Mangal said, "The wheat and fertilizer being issued here today will give these farmers the opportunity to provide much-needed food for their families and the country and allow them to turn their back on poppy."

Afghan officials arranged the distribution of the agricultural products at district centers including Lashkar Gah, Sangin, Gereshk, Nad-e-Ali, Nawa, Khan-e-Shin, Musa Qala and Garmsir. The products distributed included 4,000 tons of seed, 8,000 tons of fertilizer and 40,000 liters of insecticide.

ISAF Casualties:

No ISAF servicemembers were killed since the last operational update was published.

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