OEF Update, Nov. 4, 2009: Forces in Afghanistan Detain Militants in 5 Operations

Dispatches from the Front:

Kabul, Afghanistan, Nov. 4, 2009 -- Afghan-international security forces detained several militants and recovered multiple weapons and explosives during five operations Tuesday.

An Afghan-international security force detained several militants in Kandahar province while in pursuit of a Taliban commander associated with IED attacks in the province. Acting on intelligence that indicated the presence of the Taliban commander, the joint force targeted a vehicle outside of the village of Mokhanjak in Meyan Nashin district. During a search of the vehicle, the joint force found approximately 1,300 pounds of urea nitrate, several cans of fuel and assorted documents.

Urea nitrate is a primary ingredient for homemade explosives and becomes a powerful explosive when mixed with fuel. The urea nitrate and fuel were destroyed in place by the joint force. No shots were fired, and no one was injured or killed.

In a separate operation, an Afghan-international security force detained a group of suspected militants in Khowst province, including a Hezb-i-Islami Gulbuddin (HiG) commander. This HiG commander was responsible for managing an IED network and working with Haqqani militant elements in the area.

The joint security force also targeted compounds near the village of Paru Kheyl in the Sabari district, north of Khowst City, after intelligence indicated militant activity. The joint force searched the compounds without incident and detained the group of suspected militants. One of the groups surrendered and identified himself as the HiG commander. No shots were fired, and no one was injured.

The joint force searched the compounds without incident and detained the group of suspected militants. One of the groups surrendered and identified himself as the HiG commander. No shots were fired and no one was injured.

Recent media reports profile the HiG as one of the three main militant groups in Afghanistan. The HIG keeps a low profile by cooperating with the Taliban and Haqqani elements and deferring credit to those factions for attacks conducted by HiG inside Afghanistan.

Afghan and international security forces continue to partner their personnel and skills to disrupt Taliban attacks, prevent exploitation of Afghan civilians, and encourage reintegration of former insurgents peacefully into their communities.

In a third operation, an Afghan-international security force killed multiple enemy militants and detained several suspected militants in Logar province during pursuit of a Taliban commander responsible for numerous attacks in the area.

The joint security force targeted a compound near the village of Shah Mazar in Baraki Barak district after intelligence indicated militant activity. During the operation, the joint force received hostile fire and returned fire, killing the enemy militants. The force searched the compound and recovered multiple pistols, hand grenades and ammunition and detained several suspected militants. All recovered items were destroyed at a safe distance from buildings and other structures. No civilians were harmed during this operation.

During a fourth operation, an Afghan-international security force killed several enemy militants in Nangarhar province while in pursuit of an Al Qaeda operative known for his wide range of duties from Sharia interpretation to military training of militants. He is also responsible for several attacks in the area.

The joint security force targeted a compound near the village of Baghdarreh, south of Jalalabad City, after intelligence indicated militant activity. As the joint force maneuvered to the compound, it received hostile fire and returned fire, killing the enemy militants.

The joint force then searched the compound and recovered a PKM machine gun and a number of AK-47 rifles. All weapons were destroyed at a safe distance from the compound.

Afghan and international security forces partner their personnel and resources to disrupt al Qaeda attacks and eliminate the al Qaeda threat through constant pursuit but remaining open to reconciliation.

In a separate and fifth operation, an Afghan-international security force killed an enemy militant and detained a suspected militant in pursuit of a Taliban commander responsible for supplying foreign fighters and IEDs to other militant elements in the area. He is known to be in charge of as many as 40 Taliban fighters.

The joint security force targeted the building near the village of Stazkhan in the Achin district after intelligence indicated militant activity. During the operation, the joint force received hostile fire and returned fire, killing the enemy militant. The force then searched the building, detained the suspected militant and recovered IED materials, command detonation wire and a number of RPGs, grenades, and chest racks fully loaded with ammunition. No civilians were harmed during this operation.

The Taliban uses an extensive network of supply routes in eastern Afghanistan to arm, man and equip its militant elements within the country. Afghan and international security forces are working together to block these routes and ensure the safety and well being of the Afghan people.

ISAF Casualties:

Four ISAF servicemembers were killed, and one died of wounds, while on patrol in Southern Afghanistan Tuesday.

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