OEF Update, Nov. 7, 2009: Forces Interdict Taliban IED Facilitator in Zabul, Nab Militants in Khowst, Logar Provinces

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 7, 2009 -- Afghan-international security forces killed an enemy militant and detained a few suspected militants in Zabul Province, one of which was a Taliban IED facilitator operating out of Qalat City. This facilitator was responsible for financial support of militant activities and the transport of IED materials and weapons into the area.

The joint security force targeted a compound on the west side of Qalat City which credible intelligence reported as a location known historically to be used by Taliban commanders.

Since the compound was close to an ANP station, the joint force coordinated with the police chief to accompany and assist with the operation. When the police chief called for occupants to exit the compound, the joint force received hostile fire and returned fire, killing one militant.

The joint force searched the compound and detained the suspected militants, one of whom surrendered and identified himself as the Taliban IED facilitator. He was discovered hiding in a building later discovered to be a Red Cross office on the compound. Further questioning of the Taliban facilitator revealed that he is relative of a local Red Cross employee.

In a separate operation, another joint force detained several suspected militants in Khowst Province, one of which was a sought-after Haqqani facilitator responsible for the financial and logistical support of militant activities in the area.

The joint force targeted the compounds near Now Deh village in the Sabari District after intelligence indicated militant activity. The joint force searched the compounds without incident and detained six suspected militants. The force later identified one of the six as the Haqqani facilitator. No shots were fired and no one was injured.

In a third operation, a joint security force detained a few suspected militants in Logar Province after searching a compound known to be used by a Haqqani financier with numerous ties to militant elements in the area.

The joint security force targeted the compound in the Baraki Barak District after intelligence indicated militant activity. The joint force searched the compound without incident and detained the suspected militants. No shots were fire and no one was injured.

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