Afghan, Coalition forces kill four, detain one in Kandahar

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

04.20.2009

Courtesy Story

U.S. Forces Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces killed four adversaries and detained one suspect during an operation in Kandahar province overnight aimed at halting a Taliban leader associated with a suicide attack against Kandahar Airfield and a suicide attack in Maywand District that killed 11 Afghan citizens and two U.S. service members.

In Maywand District, approximately 60 km northwest of Kandahar City, Afghan and coalition forces patrolled to a village to search for individuals suspected to be involved in insurgent activities in northern Kandahar. As the patrol neared the village, it encountered a manned bunker that appeared to be an enemy ambush site. The joint patrol reacted with small arms fire killing the two men inside.

Following the engagement, forces resumed their patrol and arrived at the village to root out the suspected militants thought to be intermingled with the civilian population. During multiple searches, Afghan forces called for all non-combatants to vacate their homes. Consequently, more than one hundred adults and children followed the Afghan force's instructions and were moved to safety. One man was detained for further questioning.

An armed man on one of the compounds refused to comply despite the forces' efforts to persuade him to exit peacefully. A non-lethal escalation of force ensued and the non-compliant man was subdued, incurring a minor injury. A coalition forces medic treated the man and determined his injury did not require additional care. Despite measures taken by the force to protect the non-combatants, one woman regrettably sustained a minor wound as the result of this escalation of force.

Medical professionals provided treatment to her and did not advise any further care because her injury was not serious.

While forces were conducting the search in the village, a security element detected suspicious behavior by four individuals maneuvering in a field adjacent to the village. To prevent the suspects from interfering with the military operation, creating a dangerous situation for the villagers, the force confronted the individuals. Two men disregarded audible warnings, failed to surrender and died in a subsequent engagement. Two other men surrendered without incident.

• Date Taken: 04.20.2009
• Date Posted: 04.20.2009 07:17
• Story ID: 32588
• Location: KABUL, AF