ISAF Joint Command operational update

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

01.08.2011

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan – Three Afghan children were injured by an anti-personnel mine planted by insurgents, while playing in Bagram district, Parwan province, Jan. 8.

The wounded children were evacuated to a local hospital for medical treatment.

Also today, several insurgents were killed and wounded by Afghan national army and International Security Assistance Forces in southern Afghanistan.

In Sangin district, Helmand province, during a base security operation, a combined patrol spotted several insurgents emplacing an improvised explosive device. After gaining positive identification, combined forces engaged the enemy position, killing and wounding several insurgents.

Afghan national security forces and ISAF also netted several caches during separate clearing operations in eastern and southern Afghanistan over the past 24 hours.

In Nangarhar, Ghazni and Paktika provinces, ISAF patrols discovered weapons, improvised explosive device making components and drug caches in Sherzad, Muqer, Deh Yak and Omnah districts. The caches consisted of nine rocket-propelled grenades, one AK-47, one pistol, 350 7.62 mm rounds, six blasting caps, one radio and 500 pounds (250 kilograms) of narcotics. Coalition forces also detained several suspected insurgents found in possession of the weapons.

Afghan national security forces and ISAF found three weapons and drugs caches in Kapisa, Kandahar and Helmand provinces during separate combined clearing operations in Tagab, Panjwai and Garm Ser districts. The caches consisted of two AK-47s, one heavy machine-gun tripod, eight full 7.62 mm magazines, two 82 mm mortar rounds, one 105 mm artillery shell, 200 7.62 mm rounds, 13 hand grenades, one Chinese grenade, some loose 9 mm rounds and 2,000 pounds (907 kg) of marijuana.

In Wardak province, an ISAF forward operating base received a tip from an Afghan civilian that led coalition forces to a weapons cache in Maidan Shahr district. The cache consisted of seven grenades and 69 fuses.

Initial reports indicate no civilians were injured and no damage was reported during the clearing operations. The weapons, IED making components and drugs from all provinces were confiscated and will be destroyed.

“We want to thank Afghan civilians who cooperate with Afghan forces by providing tips that lead us to insurgent caches for removal of these lethal devices off the battle field,” said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director.

• Date Taken: 01.08.2011
• Date Posted: 01.08.2011 10:12
• Story ID: 63228
• Location: KABUL, AF