OEF Update, Feb. 17, 2010: Operations in Afghanistan

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 17, 2010 -- An Afghan-international security force searched a compound in the village of Alozi, in the Pul-e Alam District of Logar province after intelligence information indicated militant activity. While searching the compound the joint force captured a Taliban sub-commander, responsible for the movement of weapons and leading IED attacks against Afghan and coalition troops.

In Nimroz province last night, a joint security force searched a compound outside the village of Chah Mowia, in the Kash Rod District after intelligence discovered militant activity. During the search the combined force detained several militants, found weapons and a large amount of explosives and detonators. Coalition experts detonated the explosives in place.

In another operation, an Afghan-international security force captured a few suspected insurgents during an operation today in the Nimroz province in pursuit of a Taliban commander operating in southern Farah province.

The joint force detained an individual in an empty field near Tali Zardad in the Khash Rod District on suspicion of supporting militant activities.

After detaining the individual, the combined force searched a nearby compound after intelligence indicated militant activity there and detained a pair of additional suspected insurgents. The force discovered Taliban paraphernalia and a handheld radio of a type often used by militants for communication.

In other operations, an Afghan-international security force found a weapons cache in the Nad-e Ali District of Helmand yesterday.

The cache consisted of 18 mortar rounds, a grenade launcher and IED-making materials. The cache was destroyed.

In the Zharay District of Kandahar province today, an ISAF patrol found a weapons cache containing two artillery rounds, two grenades, an anti-tank mine, ammunition and a radio. The munitions will be destroyed.

No Afghan civilians were harmed during these operations.

(From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command news release.)