OEF Update, Nov. 19, 2009: Forces Kill, Detain Taliban Militants in Kandahar, Ghazni Provinces

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 19, 2009 -- An Afghan-international security force detained several suspected militants in northern Kandahar province Wednesday while pursuing a senior Taliban commander.

The joint security force targeted two vehicles near the village of Sahabey in Ghorak district after intelligence indicated militant activity. One of the vehicles contained an RPG launcher and several rounds, as well as a PKM machine gun and ammunition. The individuals were detained for further questioning. The RPG launcher and other munitions were safely destroyed by the joint force.

Force detains key Taliban explosives facilitator:

In a separate operation, an Afghan-international security force detained a key Taliban explosives facilitator and one other militant while searching a compound in Kandahar province. This facilitator maintained direct contact with several senior local Taliban leaders and maintained supply lines to other militant elements in the area.

The joint security force targeted the compound near the village of Rigwa-i Olya in the Panjwayi district where intelligence sources reported the facilitator to be located. After searching the compound without incident, one detained militant surrendered, and identified himself as the facilitator.

Force kills several enemy militants, detains sought after al-Qaida IED facilitator:

In another operation, an Afghan-international security force killed several enemy militants and detained a sought after al-Qaida IED facilitator and another militant in Ghazni province while searching a compound suspected of militant activity. This facilitator is reported to have supplied IEDs to other militant elements operating in the area and kept direct contact with local al-Qaida and Taliban leaders.

The joint force targeted the compound on the southern side of Ghazni City where intelligence sources reported the al-Qaida facilitator to be located. The joint force shot and killed the enemy militants after they demonstrated hostile intent. The
compound was searched without further incident. One of the detainees was identified as the al-Qaida IED facilitator.

No civilians were harmed in any of these operations.

ISAF Casualty:

One ISAF servicemember from Great Britain died after his patrol was attacked by insurgent small arms fire in southern Afghanistan yesterday.

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