Several insurgents killed, two detained by Afghan and coalition force in Kunar

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

08.02.2010

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL - An Afghan and coalition security force killed several insurgents and detained two suspected insurgents in Kunar province last night while in pursuit of a top Taliban commander with ties to senior al-Qaida leaders in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The commander is notorious for his multiple attacks against Afghan civilians, Afghan and coalition forces in Kunar province. The most recent attack was conducted by a female suicide bomber.

The female detonated a suicide vest concealed beneath her burka at an Afghan and coalition force checkpoint in Kunar June 21. The blast killed two American soldiers and injured scores of Afghan civilians.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack and said they supplied the woman with training and the explosives used in the attack.

"This attack was not only tragic but completely irresponsible," said Col. Rafael Torres, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. "This commander and his associates brainwashed this woman into believing that harming her fellow Afghan was righteous, but instead she lost her life as the insurgents hid in the shadows and celebrated the destruction."

The security force targeted a series of compounds in Marawarah District of Kunar province to search for the commander. Afghan forces went to each compound and used a loudspeaker to call for all residents to peacefully exit the buildings. At two of the compounds, several males showed hostile intent toward the security force and the security force killed them. Follow-on questioning of the residents on the scene resulted in the detention of two suspected insurgents.

Afghan and coalition forces did not damage any of the compounds and they protected the women and children throughout the search.

• Date Taken: 08.02.2010
• Date Posted: 08.02.2010 07:06
• Story ID: 53811
• Location: KABUL, AF