HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Afghan National Army special forces, assisted by coalition special operations forces, responded to the scene of an explosion during a presence patrol in Malozai village, Sangin district, to meet with local leaders Feb. 20.
The Afghan-led patrol arrived at the scene of the blast and immediately cordoned off the area to safeguard against civilian casualties or collateral damage.
The remains of an unknown Afghan were located at the site of the blast along with additional improvised explosive device bomb making materials.
After inspecting the site, ANA special forces leadership discussed the incident with village elders, before returning to their base.
At approximately 6 p.m., 20 Afghan citizens arrived at the ANA special forces camp alleging that the earlier patrol targeted and killed a local man with the explosive device.
The soldiers assured the citizens that the ANA special forces and coalition special operations forces do not use explosive devices as weapons, or place them around the villages.
The incident is currently under investigation by local Afghan authorities and their coalition forces partners.
The ANA special forces, and coalition special operations forces, are resolved to protecting local communities in the Helmand province from insurgent attempts to gain ground through violence, fear and intimidation of the Afghan people.
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