ISAF forces work to improve Ring Road freedom of movement

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

07.01.2010

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan – ISAF forces conducted several operations during the last 24 hours aimed at improving civilian freedom of movement along the Ring Road (Highway 1) in eastern Afghanistan.

Yesterday, an ISAF helicopter fired on a group of insurgents attempting to emplace an improvised explosive device in the Ring Road in Qarabagh district, which resulted in several insurgent casualties and failure by the insurgents to emplace the IED.

Later, while conducting reconnaissance for a joint ground force near Rashidan, northwest of Ghazni, an ISAF aircraft observed two insurgents in a concealed position ready to ambush the ground force. The aircraft engaged the insurgents preventing the ambush. The ground force searched the area which led to the discovery of a large cache of weapons that included dozens of mortar rounds, rockets, mines, and boxes of explosive material used to create IED's. All the weapons were destroyed.

“Anytime we can intervene and stop the emplacement of an IED along this major highway it is a victory for all of the area’s residents and everyone who travels on that road daily,” said Maj. Patrick Seiber, RC-East and Coalition Joint Task Force - 101 spokesperson.

Another ISAF force observed a number of insurgents actively involved in emplacing IED in and along Highway 1 last night and this morning. On several occasions during the night, aircraft identified insurgents and received small-arms fire but did not engage insurgents to prevent civilian casualties and damage to civilian property.

“Sometimes it’s what you don’t do that makes the difference. [The pilots’] restraint was in accordance with, and a prime example of, the ISAF mandate to protect civilians during operations, even if the objective must be passed over,” added Seiber.

• Date Taken: 07.01.2010
• Date Posted: 07.01.2010 07:55
• Story ID: 52221
• Location: KABUL, AF