OEF Update, Nov. 22, 2009: Forces Kill, Detain Militants in Ghazni, Logar, Kandahar

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 22, 2009 -- An Afghan-international security force killed one enemy militant and detained another suspected militant in Ghazni province today while pursuing a Taliban commander known to lead militant foreign fighter elements and responsible for several attacks in the area.

The joint security force searched a compound near the village of Ali Niazi in the Qara Bagh district after intelligence sources indicated militant activity. While clearing the compound, the joint force shot and killed one armed militant after he displayed hostile intent. The force then searched the compound without further incident, recovered multiple pistols and grenades, and detained the suspected militant. No Afghan civilians were harmed during this operation.

In a separate operation an Afghan-international security force detained several militants near the village of Kashimiri Bala in Baraki Barak district, Logar province, today while pursuing a sought-after Taliban weapons facilitator operating in the area.

The joint security force searched compounds after intelligence sources reported militant activity. The force recovered a number of small arms weapons, grenades, multiple AK-47 magazines, and a military-grade night optical device.

In another operation today near the village of Ebrahim Kheyl, also in Baraki Barak district, Logar province, an Afghan-international security force detained several suspected militants while pursuing a Taliban commander linked with several local senior Taliban leaders and actively operating in the area.

The joint security force targeted compounds after intelligence reported militant activity in that area. The joint force searched the compounds without incident and detained the suspected militants.

Also today, an Afghan-international security force detained several militants in Kandahar province, one of which is a known Taliban facilitator, reportedly linked to several senior local Taliban leaders and involved with a suicide-bomber element in the area.

The joint security force searched a series of buildings in the Molla Alla Kalay neighborhood of Kandahar City after intelligence sources reported the facilitator to be located there. The joint force conducted the search without incident and detained several militants, one of which surrendered immediately and identified himself as the Taliban facilitator.

In an operation in Kandahar province Saturday, an Afghan-international security force detained a group of suspected militants while pursuing a senior Taliban commander from northern Kandahar.

The joint security force searched a vehicle in Ghorak district without incident and detained the occupants for additional questioning.

No shots were fired and no one was injured or killed in operations in Logar or Kandahar.

Members of Task Force Cyclone took part in an air insertion mission in western Parwan province, Afghanistan to examine current projects, meet Afghan police members and talk with the Afghan civilians, Nov. 16.

More than 40 Cyclone personnel from Task Force Gladius' security forces, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers technicians and Human Terrain Team members collected information on current operations in the district assisting the people in Surkh-e Parsa area.

ISAF Casualties:

ISAF suffered no fatalities in operations in the last 24 hours.

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