OEF Update, Nov. 17, 2009: Forces in Afghanistan Kill, Detain Militants

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Nov. 17, 2009 -- Afghan and international forces worked together to kill or detain numerous enemy fighters and terrorism suspects in operations over the last two days, military officials reported.

A combined Afghan and international security force killed several enemy militants, including a sought-after Taliban district commander, and detained several suspected militants in Afghanistan’s Wardak province early today.

The force searched a compound near the village of Mayshin Kala in the province’s Sayed Abad district where intelligence indicated militant activity. Upon entering the compound courtyard, the force came under attack and returned fire, killing several enemy militants.

During the engagement, the building used by the enemy militants caught fire, causing grenades and ammunition to detonate. An Afghan woman was inadvertently killed during the exchange of fire with enemy militants.

Occupants of the compound confirmed that the Taliban district commander had arrived earlier in the night and joined the other militants. The force searched the compound and recovered multiple assault rifles and hand grenades, and detained several other suspected militants.

In a separate operation in Wardak province today, an Afghan-international security force killed two enemy militants and detained several suspected militants while pursuing a Taliban commander and facilitator believed to be responsible for numerous attacks on civilians and infrastructure in the area. The force searched compounds near the village of Qalah-ye Padshah in the province’s Nerkh district after intelligence indicated militant activity. No incidents occurred during the search, and the force detained several suspected militants.

While departing from the last compound, the joint force killed two armed militants who moved aggressively against the force from a nearby orchard. No civilians were harmed during this operation.

In another operation today, an Afghan-international security force killed an enemy militant and detained another man who was identified as a sought-after Taliban district commander in Ghazni province.

A combined force searched a compound near the village of Malang Kheyl in the province’s Qara Bagh district where an intelligence source reported the Taliban commander to be located. At one of the buildings, the joint force shot and killed an enemy militant after the person displayed hostile intent. The force searched the compound without further incident and detained the wanted militant, who surrendered quickly and identified himself as the Taliban commander. No civilians were harmed during this operation.

In Kunduz province today, a combined force detained several suspected militants while pursuing a Taliban commander believed to be responsible for the facilitation of foreign fighters to other militant elements in the area.

The force searched a compound northwest of Kunduz City without incident, and detained several suspected militants. No shots were fired, and no one was injured.

In other news, an Afghan-international security force also detained a suspected militant in Kandahar province yesterday while pursuing a senior Taliban commander. The force searched a vehicle near the village of Shad Khan Kalay in the province’s Kharkriz district after intelligence indicated militant activity. The force detained one man for further questioning. No shots were fired, and no one was harmed during the operation.

(From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command news release.)