Laghman Province operation follow-up

Release Number 20090901-03

January 9, 2009

Kabul, Afghanistan — On Wednesday morning Coalition forces killed 32 armed insurgents including one female, detained one suspected militant, and destroyed a cache of weapons, explosives and roadside bomb materials during an operation to disrupt the Taliban’s roadside bomb network in Alishang District, located in Laghman Province.

After the operation, local Afghan officials met with Coalition forces and confirmed that all 32 killed were hostile militants. An Afghan governor approved a radio announcement stating these facts. 

“We stand by our initial news release, that 32 insurgents were killed during the operation,” said Col Jerry O’Hara, a U.S. Forces-Afghanistan spokesperson. “The enemy combatants used girls and older men to shield their advance. It is important to note that acting as sentries and spotters takes away any claims of being a noncombatant. We go through great lengths to avoid civilian casualties and take responsibility when we inadvertently cause injuries or casualties.”