Coalition forces disrupt IED network in Zabul

Release Number 20092201-03

January 22, 2009

KABUL, Afghanistan – Coalition forces killed six armed Taliban militants and detained one suspected militant during an operation to disrupt the Taliban’s foreign fighter and roadside bomb network in Zabul province Wednesday.

In Daychopan District, approximately 150 km northeast of Kandahar City, Coalition forces targeted a Taliban commander wanted for his ties to the roadside bombing network along Highway One and recent attacks against Coalition forces in Zabul province. He is also known to traffic foreign fighters into the region.

As Coalition forces prepared to search the targeted compound, they gave specific instructions for all individuals to exit peacefully. Armed militants from surrounding compounds responded to these instructions by engaging Coalition forces with small-arms fire. Coalition forces returned fire, killing five armed militants during the engagement, while protecting 23 women and 31 children.

During the skirmish one armed militant exited a building and took up a fighting position on a nearby hill, engaging the Coalition forces from behind large rocks. Unable to neutralize the threat with small-fire and while taking effective enemy fire, Coalition forces engaged the one militant with precision air strikes, killing him.

A search of the targeted compound revealed multiple AK-47s and other weapons. Coalition forces confiscated the weapons to prevent future use by militants.