FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2009
Release Number 20091603-01
IED Found, eight militants detained
KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and Coalition Forces conducted operations March 16 in Logar (Lowgar) and Paktya (Paktia) Provinces to disable an improvised explosive device-making cell and further disrupt the Haqqani network operating in Afghanistan.
In Baraki Barak District, Logar (Lowgar) Province, Afghan and Coalition Forces conducted a raid to locate and detain a Taliban weapons facilitator associated with a commander responsible for IED attacks on Afghan civilians. The combined assault force arrived at the village where suspected militants were staying and began a search of the targeted compounds.
Residents in one of the compounds failed to comply when the force called out for all non-combatants to exit the buildings. With caution, the force deliberately entered the compound and began a search. There were several men observed hiding behind women, presumably using them as human shields. The combined force ensured all women and children were moved to a safe area and with no shots fired, detained six suspected militants. The force continued to search the compound, finding an IED, which was safely removed.
Twenty-five women and 12 children were protected.
In Zadran District, Paktya (Paktia) Province, approximately 130 km south of Kabul, Afghan and Coalition Forces conducted an assault on two compounds to further neutralize the Haqqani network. Without incident, the combined force searched the compounds. Two suspected militants were detained with no shots fired.
Four women and eight children were protected.
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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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