Ghazni firefight leaves seven militants dead; one suspect detained

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

05.21.2009

Courtesy Story

U.S. Forces Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan — Seven militants were killed during a firefight and one suspect was detained Wednesday night in Ghazni province when forces conducted anti-Taliban operations to disrupt the facilitation of supplies and insurgent elements into eastern Afghanistan.

In the village of Spedar, Gelan District, Ghazni province, approximately 110 kilometers southwest of Ghazni city, combined forces encountered multiple enemy fighters during a planned operation to capture a mid-level Taliban sub commander responsible for coordinating and leading attacks against forces in the east. When the combined force arrived at the targeted compound, Afghan forces requested that the occupants come out of their homes without weapons. When none complied, forces entered the compound by force and requested a second time for the occupants to come out.

Within minutes, Afghan and coalition forces began receiving small arms fire from an enemy element maneuvering a few hundred feet from the compound. Forces returned fire and called in coalition air support to suppress the attack and prevent the militants from entering the village and endangering civilians. In less than an hour, seven armed militants were dead and the engagement was over. No Afghan or coalition forces suffered any casualties.

Following the gun battle, forces continued their deliberate operation to capture the wanted militant, searching the village without further incident. With the cooperation of approximately 30 adults and 40 children at multiple compounds, forces located and detained the Taliban sub commander. Forces uncovered a PKM machine gun and a chest rack on the compound where the wanted man was detained.

The combined force also discovered an underground tunnel system that connected the entire village, presumably used by insurgents and militants to escape without detection.

"It is absolutely essential the Afghan people understand the importance of cooperating with Afghan and coalition forces and not allow Taliban fighters to operate freely inside their villages," said Ministry of Defense spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Zahir Azimi. "The enemies who use intimidation and brutality delay security, peace and prosperity for the citizens of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan."

• Date Taken: 05.21.2009
• Date Posted: 05.21.2009 05:46
• Story ID: 33890
• Location: KABUL, AF