May 8: Afghan-ISAF Forces Discover Weapons Cache in Helmand Province

5/7/10 | ISAF Public Affairs Office

ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-05-CA-032 For Immediate Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (May 8, 2010) -

An Afghan-international security force killed two insurgents and captured another while pursuing a Taliban improvised explosive device (IED) facilitator in Zabul last night.

 The combined force went to a compound south of Musa Zay, in the Shajoy district, after intelligence information indicated insurgent activity. As the security force searched the compound they came under fire from a nearby compound that was later discovered to be a mosque. The Taliban (fighters), who were leaving the mosque, fired automatic weapons against coalition troops. The combined force returned fire and killed two insurgents as they advanced towards the patrol. The combined force conducted a call out in the other buildings and captured another suspected (fighters). Several women and children were protected during the operation.

 The Afghan members of the combined team searched the mosque, found weapons, multiple blasting caps and IED materials.

 The targeted insurgent was involved in suicide bombings and IED attacks that killed and wounded Afghan nationals.

 In Kunduz last night, a joint security force went to a compound in the village of Aq Saray, in the Chahar Dara district, after intelligence information indicated insurgent activity in a car traveling to the compound. During a search of the compound the joint force detained several insurgents for further questioning.

 The search team found three anti-personnel mines, including one in the fighter's car. The mines were removed to prevent innocent Afghans from being injured later.

 No shots were fired and no one was injured during the operation.

 In the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province yesterday, Afghan National Police directed an ISAF patrol to a cache they had found containing five mortar rounds and 18 kilograms (40 pounds) of homemade explosives. The cache was destroyed.

 In the Now Zad district of Helmand yesterday, an Afghan-international patrol found a cache in an open field containing 45 kg (100 lbs) of ammonium nitrate and 4.5 kg (10 lbs) of homemade explosive. The cache was destroyed.

 Ammonium nitrate based home-made explosives continue to be used in the production of IEDs causing the majority of civilian and ISAF casualties in Afghanistan.

 Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) with ISAF partners conducted a combined operation Wednesday in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand. The operation was intended to capture insurgents responsible for roadside-bombing attacks against ANSF and civilians.

 After surrounding the compound in which several suspects were located, Afghan Special Police were able to ensure all residents safely exited the compound. The operation resulted in the detention of two men and the seizure of weapons and approximately 15 kg (33 1bs) of wet opium.

 Four women and 18 children were protected throughout this operation, in which no civilians were injured.

May 7: Afghan-ISAF Operations in Eastern, Southern Afghanistan

5/6/10 | ISAF Public Affairs Office

More on Helmand

ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-05-CA-027

KABUL, Afghanistan (May 7, 2010) -

A Haqqani network improvised explosive device (IED) commander and two other (fighters) were captured this morning by an Afghan-international security force in Khost.

 The combined force went to a compound northeast of Ghunday, in the Terayzai district, after intelligence information indicated Taliban activity. During the search the security force captured an Taliban commander responsible for direct attacks on coalition bases and a local bazaar. He was also involved in suicide IEDs and buying weapons and supplies. Two other militants were also captured.

 The joint team found multiple automatic rifles, pistols and a large amount of money.

 In the Maiwand district of Kandahar Province this morning, a joint patrol found a cache containing an AK-47 rifle and 30 bags of wet opium. One individual was detained by Afghan authorities in relation to the find. The drugs will be destroyed.

 In Nangahar Province this morning, an ISAF explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team responded to an Afghan National Police report of an IED. The device consisted of a mine and two 82mm mortars. The EOD team destroyed the IED.

 In Kandahar last night, an Afghan-international security force went to a compound west of Kukaran, in the Arghandab district, after intelligence information indicated insurgent activity. When the security force entered the compound two suspected (fighters) initially refused to come out of a building. After several callouts the (fighters) eventually surrendered. Several suspected insurgents were captured without violence.

 The search team recovered several weapons, including an automatic rifle, a fragmentation grenade, a shotgun, multiple blasting caps and a large amount of money.

 In the Garm Ser district of Helmand Province yesterday, an Afghan civilian led a joint patrol to a weapons cache containing 20 rocket-propelled grenades. The cache was destroyed by an EOD team.

 No shots were fired and no Afghan citizens were harmed during these operations.