OEF Update, Dec. 7, 2009: Air Strike Hits Stronghold in Kunar

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Dec. 7, 2009 -- An international security force conducted an air strike today and destroyed a known Taliban stronghold consisting of bunkers and prepared defensive positions in Kunar province.

The security force targeted the stronghold near the village of Tsangar Darah in the mountainous Watapur district after intelligence sources indicated militant activity at the location.

In other operations today, an Afghan-international security force in Khowst province detained a Haqqani IED cell leader and several other militants after searching a compound. The IED cell leader is responsible for constructing and emplacing IEDs and for several attacks in the area.

The joint security force targeted a compound near the village of Kuzah Kala in the Terayzai district where intelligence sources reported the cell leader to be located. The joint force searched the compound without incident and detained several militants, including the cell leader. The force also recovered a number of AK-47 rifles, hand grenades and bomb-making materials.

In another operation, an Afghan-international security force killed several enemy militants and wounded another in northern Paktika province while pursuing a Taliban commander. The militant commander is responsible for weapons facilitation, kidnapping Afghan citizens and planning several suicide bomb and IED attacks in the area.

The joint security force targeted a compound near the village of Tawdobay Kalay in the Sar Hawza district where intelligence reported militant activity. During the operation, the joint force received hostile fire and returned fire. A security element of the force searched the enemy fighting position and recovered several AK-47 rifles and chest racks loaded with AK-47 magazines. The joint force then provided medical attention to the wounded enemy militant and later transported him to a military medical treatment facility.

Another Afghan-international security force detained a few suspected militants in Zabul province while pursuing a Taliban commander responsible for several small arms and IED attacks in the area.

The joint security force targeted a compound near the village of Nowkhiz in the Qalat district after intelligence sources reported militant activity at the location. The joint force searched the compound without incident and detained the militants.

No civilians were injured in any of the operations.

ISAF Casualties:

There were no ISAF fatalities in the last 24 hours in Afghanistan.

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