FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2009
Release Number: 20091903-03
ANA kill 30 militants, destroy IED cache in Helmand
KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan National Army soldiers advised by Coalition forces killed 30 armed militants in Gereshk Disrict, Helmand Province Thursday.
In a continuous effort to deny militants freedom of movement and seek out improvised explosive device caches, the ANA-led force conducted a combat reconnaissance in an area of known militant presence.
The patrol was attacked by numerous armed militants with heavy small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire.
The combined force moved forward, and a firefight ensued when militants re-engaged the patrol with small-arms and RPG fire. After positively identifying the enemy fighting position and assuring there were no non-combatants in the area, the combined element returned fire with small-arms and close air support, killing 30 militants.
"This engagement was yet another blow to the militants, who are quickly losing their ability to operate in Helmand Province," said a Coalition spokesperson. "The Afghan National Army is working to rid Afghanistan of extremists who are only trying to destabilize the country and sabotage Afghan freedom."
One ANA soldier received minor injuries during the engagement and was treated at a nearby Coalition medical facility.
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United States Forces Afghanistan's mission, in coordination with NATO's International Security Assistance Force, is to conduct operations to defeat terrorist networks and insurgents by developing effective governance and building the Afghan National Security Force. Effective security throughout the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan facilitates continued regional stability and increases economic development for the people of Afghanistan.
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