IJC Operational Update, July 11

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

07.11.2010

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

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KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan and international security force killed several insurgents and detained two suspected insurgents in Ghazni province yesterday while pursuing a Taliban commander in direct contact with Taliban leadership in Pakistan and associated with al Qaida and Commander Nazir Group.

The group is known for assassinations and intimidation operations against civilians and operates with the Haqqani network in attacks against international forces.

The combined security force went to a compound in the village of Ahmad Khan, Andar District, and was immediately engaged by multiple insurgents armed with automatic weapons and grenades outside the compound. The security force returned fire, killing several insurgents.

Women and children present were protected by the combined security force and no civilians or security forces were injured during
the operation.

A separate Afghan-international security force killed two insurgents and detained a number of suspected insurgents during an operation targeting two Taliban commanders in Kandahar province last night.

The commanders are responsible for improvised explosive device and complex attacks against Afghan and international forces in southern Arghandab District and Kandahar City, and also supply weapons and IEDs to the Arghandab insurgent network.

The security force targeted an area known to be a safe-haven for Taliban fighters near the village of Khersak. After clearing and securing the surrounding area, the security force went to two separate compounds in search of the commanders.

As the security force approached the first compound, two insurgents armed with automatic weapons engaged them and then attempted to flee. Coalition forces pursued them, and the insurgents were killed with precision air fire. As the security force continued clearing the area they discovered a large house-borne IED which they secured.

At a second compound, Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to peacefully exit the building and then cleared and secured the building.

No civilians or security forces were injured during the operation.

"Afghan and international partners will continue a constant presence in and around the Kandahar province as they work toward stabilizing the area," said Col. William Maxwell, ISAF Joint Command's director of Combined Joint Operations Center.

Another Afghan-international security forces detained two suspected insurgents and seized explosives and IED material during a two-day operation in Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province, which ended yesterday.

Two suspected insurgents were detained, and more than 230 kilograms of explosives, a number of 155mm artillery rounds and IED-making components were discovered. All material, including a motorcycle rigged with explosives, was destroyed. The security force also discovered several tunnels under buildings in the search area.

This is the third clearing operation in this area in as many weeks. During the first clearing operation conducted in late June the combined force killed and captured a large number of insurgents and destroyed large quantities of explosives, weapons and drugs. Last week a combined security force detained a number of suspected Taliban fighters and destroyed IEDs on a foot-path frequented by villagers.

Insurgents remained hidden during the entire operation harassing the security force with ineffective small-arms fire and fleeing when the security force attempted to engage.

No civilians or security forces were injured.

"These clearing operations are bearing fruit and despite the risk to Afghan and international forces will continue as we work to improve security for Afghans," said Maxwell.

An Afghan civilian turned in 10 RPG warheads, eight RPG boosters and 27 82mm recoilless rifle shells to an ISAF forward operating base in Kapisa province yesterday.
The munitions will be destroyed.