ISAF Joint Command operational update

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

01.19.2011

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan – Several insurgents were killed by Afghan national security forces and International Security Assistance Force during separate clearing operations in southern Afghanistan over the past 24 hours.

In Helmand province, during an ISAF patrol, coalition forces were engaged by an unknown number of insurgents with small arms fire in Sangin District. Coalition forces called for air support. After gaining positive identification, the air weapons team supporting ground forces engaged the enemy position, killing one insurgent.

An ISAF patrol spotted one insurgent emplacing an improvised explosive device in Garm Ser District, Helmand province. After establishing positive identification, coalition forces engaged the enemy position with small arms fire, killing the insurgent.

Coalition forces moving towards the enemy position also found improvised explosive device components consisting of one pressure plate, one battery pack and one blasting cap.

In the same province, during a separate clearing operation, an Afghan National Army and ISAF patrol observed another insurgent emplacing an IED in Nahr-e Saraj District. After gaining positive identification, coalition forces engaged, killing the insurgent.

Also in southern Afghanistan, an ISAF patrol spotted two insurgents emplacing an IED in Arghandab District, Kandahar province and called for air support. After gaining positive identification, the air weapons team on scene engaged the enemy position with anti-armor missiles, killing one insurgent.

After moving towards the enemy position, ground forces also found 50 pounds (22 kilograms) of homemade explosives and detonation cord.

Also today, ANSF and ISAF discovered several caches during separate clearing operations in southern and western Afghanistan.

In Kandahar, Helmand and Herat provinces, ANSF and ISAF patrols discovered several large weapons, IED-making components and drugs caches in Zharaj, Chorah, Garm Ser, Sangin, Marjah, Arghandab and Shindand districts. The caches consisted of 10 AK-47s, three full AK-47 magazines, 79 artillery fuses, 28 30 mm rounds, seven rocket-propelled grenades, 12 RPG boosters, six air bomb fuses, seven hand grenades, six 82 mm mortar rounds, 24 mortar primers, six 82 mm recoilless rifle rounds and 800 7.62 mm rounds. The IED-making components consisted of 10 pounds (4 kg) of homemade explosives, one chest rack, 16 pressure plates one blasting cap and several electronic components.

The caches also contained a large quantity of drugs including 2,300 pounds (1,043 kg) of marijuana and 330 pounds (150 kg) of hashish. Coalition forces also detained one suspected insurgent related to the weapons and drugs cache confiscated in Marjah District, Helmand province.

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 the provinces were confiscated and will be destroyed.

• Date Taken: 01.19.2011
• Date Posted: 01.19.2011 11:09
• Story ID: 63795
• Location: KABUL, AF