Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51757
Coalition Troops Kill 19 Militants, Detain 3 in Eastern Afghanistan
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2008 – Coalition forces killed 19 armed militants and detained three suspects Oct. 31 during multiple operations to disrupt the Haqqani, Taliban, and al-Qaida homemade-bomb and foreign-fighter networks in eastern Afghanistan.
In Dara Noor District, coalition forces targeted a known al-Qaida leader believed to facilitate the movement of foreign fighters and weapons into Konar province. The leader also is believed to be in contact with other militants in the region, coordinating attacks against coalition forces and civilians.
As the forces began a search of the targeted compound they were immediately engaged by two armed militants inside the first building. Coalition forces responded with small-arms fire, killing both militants.
Following the engagement, the forces moved to a second building in the compound. As they approached the building multiple armed militants exited the building, attempting to maneuver on the forces and engaging them with small-arms fire.
Coalition forces returned fire, killing five armed militants, including one armed female. One suspect was detained during the operation.
A second operation, in Nadar Shahkot District, targeted a militant known to have ties to both the Taliban and Haqqani terrorist networks. The target also is known to coordinate and direct bomb attacks in the region.
As the troops approached the vehicle the target was in, he and another militant inside reached for AK-47s. Faced with the hostile intent, the forces engaged both small-arms fire, killing them.
Upon a search of the vehicle, coalition forces discovered explosives. The vehicle was destroyed because of the threat it presented to both the forces and local civilians.
Also in Nader Shah Kowt, Coalition forces killed 10 armed militants and detained two suspects during an operation directed at a known Haqqani facilitator of homemade bombs and suicide bombers.
As the forces attempted to search the compound they were engaged by several groups of armed militants with AK-47s and rocket-propelled grenades. Coalition forces responded with small-arms fire, killing six, including the targeted Haqqani militant.
A search of the compound revealed multiple AK-47s, an RPG, RPG rounds, a pistol and other military style equipment.
As the forces attempted to leave the compound they took heavy fire from militants inside a building. Coalition forces engaged the militants with precision, close-air support to neutralize the threat.
(From a U.S. Forces Afghanistan news release.)
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51769
Troops Dismantle Drug Nest, Deal Blow to Taliban Finances
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2008 – Coalition and Afghan forces today dismantled a drug-making facility in southeastern Afghanistan and destroyed 44 tons of hashish in what military officials say is a major blow to funding terrorists in the country.
“Today’s discovery clearly demonstrated the links between the Taliban and drug trafficking,” said Army Col. Greg Julian, U.S. Forces Afghanistan spokesman. “The huge amount of drugs destroyed today will greatly hinder the Taliban’s ability to fund their ongoing, hopeless struggle to subjugate the Afghan people.”
Afghan commandos and coalition forces were searching an area known for insurgent activities in the Spin Buldak district of Kandahar province when the facility was discovered, officials said. The search of the area is ongoing, they said.
In other news from Afghanistan, coalition and Afghan forces killed two militants yesterday in the Maywand district of Kandahar province during a search of an insurgent compound there.
During the search, militants engaged the troops with small-arms fire. The troops responded with small-arms fire, killing two, officials said.
After the engagement, the combined forces discovered a bomb-making facility containing explosives, 10 pounds of heroin, 4 pounds of opium, a small weapons cache and a torture device. The cache was confiscated and the drugs and explosives were destroyed, officials said.
No Afghan, coalition or civilian casualties were reported in either operation.
(Compiled from U.S. Forces Afghanistan news releases.)