OEF Update, Feb. 3, 2010: Operations in Afghanistan

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 3, 2010 -- Yesterday an Afghan-international security force searched a small compound in a rural area of the Nad Ali District, Helmand province, where intelligence information indicated militant activity. During the search the joint force detained a pair of suspected insurgents, and found Taliban propaganda and a grenade.

Also in Helmand yesterday, a joint force stopped a vehicle near Kherwaray in the Nowzad District, after intelligence indicated militant activity, and detained a few suspected insurgents. The Afghan-international security force also searched a compound near Kherwaray, after intelligence indicated individuals associated with a Taliban commander were present, and detained a few suspected insurgents.

In Kandahar yesterday, an Afghan-international security force searched a compound in west Kandahar City last night, where intelligence indicated militant activity, and captured a Taliban facilitator and a pair of other insurgents responsible for distributing IED components and explosives to Taliban networks.

In another Kandahar operation yesterday, a joint security force searched a compound in the town of Adirah in the Arghandab District, after intelligence confirmed militant activity, and captured a Taliban sub-commander responsible for organizing suicide and IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The joint team also detained a pair of other insurgents.

In Khowst last night, an Afghan-international security force searched a series of compounds around the village of Goldar in the Sabari District, after intelligence found militant activity, and captured a Haqqani commander responsible for IED attacks and coordinating the shipment of weapons and rockets. When confronted, the Haqanni commander identified himself, and the joint security team also detained a few other insurgents and found multiple weapons including rifles and a shotgun.

In another Khowst operation last night, an Afghan-international security force searched a compound outside the village of Bakhtanah in the Sabari District, after intelligence confirmed militant activity, and detained a few suspected insurgents. The joint force also found rifles and possible bomb-making materials.

In Wardak this morning, an Afghan-international security force searched a compound in a rural area of the Rashidan District, after intelligence confirmed militant activity, and detained a handful of suspected insurgents.

In Helmand province Monday, an ISAF patrol operating in the area of Naqilabad Kalay in the Nad-e Ali District was fired upon by heavily-armed insurgents using a vehicle mounted weapon and small arms. The ISAF patrol returned fire and killed the insurgents.

No Afghan civilians were harmed during these operations.

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