OEF Summary, Jan. 21, 2010: Forces Target Taliban Commander

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 2010 -- An Afghan-led security force killed four insurgents during an operation in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province last night.

The combined Afghan and international force engaged the insurgents during an operation targeting a high-level Taliban commander known to direct attacks against Afghan and international forces, train Taliban members and facilitate the movement of foreign fighters as well as weapons in the area. One insurgent was detained in the process.

Eleven women and 24 children were protected during the operation. However, a young man, estimated to be 15 years old, displayed hostile intent by grabbing one of the soldier’s weapons. He was shot and killed.

In another operation today, a combined security force came across several damaged Holy Korans while investigating a building after an explosive strike in Helmand province.

"This deplorable tactic of destroying the Holy Koran demonstrates a lack of respect for the religion and the people of Afghanistan," said U.S. Navy Captain Jane Campbell, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command spokesperson.

The security force documented and reported the incident to district leadership immediately.

International forces are trained on the sanctity of the holy book and go to significant steps to protect it. ISAF is an international force that includes Muslim soldiers.

(Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command news releases.)