PRESS RELEASE
U.S. Forces Afghanistan
December 22, 2008
Release Number 20082212-02
Afghan Commandos, Coalition forces kill two Taliban fighters in Zer-e-Koh
KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan National Army Commandos and Coalition forces, killed two Taliban fighters in Zer-e-Koh Valley, Shindand district, in Herat Province this morning. Shindand district is located over 400 km northwest of Kandahar. In an early morning operation Afghan Commandos conducted a raid on a senior Taliban commander’s compound.
As the raid was initiated, Coalition forces identified multiple armed militants maneuvering towards the rear of the compound. As the Commandos approached, they were fired upon by the militants. The commandos pinpointed, pursued and isolated the fleeing militants in the open. Coalition forces responded with close air-support, resulting in the deaths of two armed insurgents. The coalition is investigating reports of a non-combatant casualty during the operation.
“Though the facts are still unclear at this point, we take very seriously our responsibility to protect the people of Afghanistan,” said Col. Gregory Julian, “We have dispatched coalition personnel to the site to quickly assess the situation and take actions as appropriate.”
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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.
Contact Information –
US Forces Afghanistan Public Affairs Office
Tel +93 (0) 799 51 2919 or cell phone 0093 (0) 788 189 049
USFOR-A-MediaRelations@afghan.swa.army.mil