Coalition Forces Repel Insurgents at COP Margah

10/31/10 | ISAF Public Affairs Office

ISAF Joint Command — Afghanistan

2010-10-CA-342
 
KABUL, Afghanistan (Oct. 31, 2010) —

Afghan and coalition forces in the Bermel district of Paktika province are continuing their assessment of a failed insurgent attack on Combat Outpost Margah Saturday.

The combined forces are in the process of searching four separate direct fire and attack helicopter engagement areas where insurgents attempted to surround the outpost in a failed attempt to overrun the base.

So far, the combined forces confirm 38 insurgents killed, with an estimated more than 40 additional enemy killed, based on coalition helicopter camera footage in the areas where ground forces have not yet conducted an assessment.

 In addition, two enemy wounded have been recovered from the engagement area and have been treated by coalition medical personnel.

 “The fact the insurgents left both their dead and wounded laying there on the battlefield is significant,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John F. Campbell, commanding general for NATO’s Regional Command-East. “We had multiple indicators an attack like this was going to happen in that area in an attempt to gain victory before the end of the fighting season, and our combined Afghan and coalition forces were ready for them.”

Afghan officials estimate more than 80 insurgents were killed in the failed attack.

 “COP Margah has a squad-sized observation element on the high ground near the COP to provide early warning to the main base,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, RC-East deputy commanding general for operations. “Not only did the Soldiers and Afghan Border Policemen warn of the attack, they also disrupted it for approximately 20 minutes allowing the main defense to decisively respond. Once their mission was complete, they repositioned to reinforce the main defense. As a matter of fact, I just stood on that OP yesterday afternoon to get a sense of their combined achievement.”

 The assessment is ongoing.

80 Taliban killed in failed attack on NATO outpost: report

  By Faizullah Ghamkoor,

AFP October 30, 2010    

KHOST, Afghanistan, Oct 30, 2010 (AFP) -

An Afghan official said Saturday that 80 Taliban insurgents were killed during a failed attack on a NATO combat outpost near the border with Pakistan.

"Fresh information that we received from intelligence sources shows that 80 Taliban have been killed. The bodies of the militants were left on the battlefield," said Mukhlis Afghan, spokesman for the governor of eastern Paktika province.

NATO said earlier that 30 Taliban had been killed as international troops repelled an attack on the outpost in Barmal district, which sits on the border of Pakistan’s lawless North Waziristan tribal area.

A statement from NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said the insurgents launched the attack at 1.30 am Saturday (2200 GMT Friday) "from all directions" using rocket-propelled grenades, mortars and small arms fire.

Five ISAF soldiers were injured, it said, adding that they kept fighting.

"The coalition forces called for air weapons team and close-air support during the engagement. A coalition aircraft engaged an insurgent firing position with three precision-guided munitions," it said.

"The air weapons team also engaged a large number of insurgents near the outpost," it said, adding: "Initial operational reporting indicates more than 30 insurgents were killed in the failed attack on the outpost."

The proximity of the combat post to the border hints at the possibility the insurgents had crossed from Pakistan, where the Taliban’s leadership council is believed to be based.

The insurgency in Afghanistan is now in its 10th year since the Taliban’s regime was overthrown in the US-led invasion in late 2001.

Remote border regions have proved particularly volatile in recent years.