OEF Update, Nov. 26, 2009: Forces Detain Insurgents in Kandahar and Logar; ISAF Casualty

Cpl. Delio Lazoreyes from Los Angeles, Calif., a soldier assigned to Able Troop, 3-71 Cavalry Squadron, checks on smoked turkeys as he helps prepare Thanksgiving dinner in Logar province, Afghanistan, Thursday Nov. 26, 2009. (Newswire photo.)

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 26, 2009 -- An Afghan-international security force detained several suspected militants in Kandahar province while pursuing a Taliban commander operating in the area today.

The joint security force targeted compounds near the village of Wahabkan Kalay in the Maywand district where intelligence indicated militant activity. The joint force searched the compounds without incident and detained several suspected militants.

In another operation today, an Afghan-international security force detained a sought-after Taliban suicide bomb facilitator along with few other militants during a search of compounds in Logar province. This facilitator reportedly had extensive ties to several militant elements throughout Logar and Kabul provinces.

The joint security force targeted compounds near the village of Qal' eh-ye Shayhee in the Muhammad Aghah district where intelligence sources reported the facilitator to be located. The joint force searched the compounds without incident and detained the militants, one of whom surrendered with little resistance and confirmed his identity as the Taliban facilitator. The force also recovered pistols and a significant quantity of ammunition.

No shots were fired, and no one was injured in either of these operations.

Afghan Director Provides Donated Items:

In the Khost province, an Afghan director and his staff distributed approximately $15,000 in donated winter and school-related items to more than 100 Afghan disabled, orphaned and deprived locals at an orphanage in downtown Nov. 21.

Nearly 30 U.S. organizations and individuals sent items that Narai and his staff requested, which included blankets, clothes, hygiene items and a variety of school supplies.

ISAF Casualty:

One ISAF servicemember from Denmark was killed when he encountered an IED in southern Afghanistan yesterday.

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