OEF Update, Dec. 8, 2009: ISAF Denies Civilian Casualty Claim in Lagham; UK Casualty

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Dec. 8, 2009 -- An Afghan-international security force killed seven militants and detained four others in Laghman province early today while pursuing a Taliban IED facilitator responsible for several suicide attacks in the region.

"We are aware of civilian casualty allegations, however there are no operational reports to substantiate those claims of harming civilians, including women and children during this operation," said Navy Capt. Jane Campbell, IJC spokesperson.

The joint force targeted a compound near the village of Armul in the Mehtar Lam district after intelligence sources reported militant activity. During the operation, the joint force received hostile fire from multiple positions and returned fire. The joint force searched the compound without further incident and recovered multiple AK-47 rifles.

In another operation today, an Afghan-international security force detained several suspected militants in Kandahar province while pursuing a Taliban commander responsible for several small arms and IED attacks in the area.

The suspects were detained without incident when the joint force searched compounds near the town of Senjaray in Arghandab district where intelligence sources reported militant activity to be located.

ISAF provides medical care to civilians injured in insurgent attack International forces provided medical treatment to several civilians who were injured during two insurgent attacks against Afghan National Security Force and international forces in Paktya province Dec. 5.

Insurgents aimed a mortar at an international force installation that hit a bazaar in Chamkani, wounding many civilians. Among the wounded was the son of a local mullah who was shopping for fruits and vegetables with his father when the mortar exploded near them.

The wounded civilian was taken to a military medical treatment facility for treatment, but he died of his injuries.

Arrangements were made for the family to return to Chamkani. ISAF established a hotline and a reward for any information leading to the militants responsible for the attack.

The next day, forces provided aid to two children injured from another insurgent mortar attack. One of the children died of his wounds despite medical treatment.

ISAF Casualty:

An ISAF servicemember from the United Kingdom was killed yesterday after his unit was attacked by insurgent small arms fire in southern Afghanistan.

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