Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46523
Afghan, Coalition Troops Kill, Detain Insurgents
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 24, 2007 – Afghan and coalition forces killed more than 32 insurgents and detained 20 others in Afghanistan over the past three days, military officials reported.
Early yesterday, Afghan and coalition forces detained 20 militants in operations against al Qaeda militants at three compounds in the Giro district of Ghazni province. The detainees are being held for questioning.
Coalition forces acted on credible intelligence that pointed to the various compounds as sheltering al Qaeda fighters. The insurgents fired rocket propelled grenades and machine guns at the coalition forces as they approached one of the compounds; the forces returned fire, killing the assailants. No civilians were injured in the operations.
While searching the compound from which the attack was launched, combined forces discovered a Russian-made machine gun with 250 rounds of ammunition, an AK-47 assault rifle with four full magazines, and two fragmentation grenades.
Elsewhere in Afghanistan yesterday, enemy fighters engaged Afghan national army members and coalition forces near Langar Village in the Washer District of Helmand province.
Combined forces repelled the initial attack with small arms and then requested close air support to suppress the enemy fighters.
The battle continued throughout the day and additional enemy fighters reinforced enemy positions in the area. Combined forces maneuvered to defendable positions and then directed coalition helicopters and close air support aircraft to drop munitions on positively identified enemy positions. More than 12 enemy fighters were killed in the prolonged battle, military officials said.
One coalition soldier and one Afghan national army member died in the fighting and two coalition forces and one Afghan army member were wounded. The wounded forces were evacuated to a nearby facility for medical treatment. There were no Afghan civilian injures reported.
“Afghan national army and coalition forces are currently fighting to stop the spread of the Taliban to the western portions of Afghanistan,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokesman. “This attempt at westward expansion on the part of the Taliban will not be successful.”
A day earlier, soldiers from 2nd Kandak, 1st Brigade, 209th Afghan national army corps and coalition members received machine gun fire from an unknown number of enemy fighters near the village of Sayed Nabi in the Shah Wali Kot District of Kandahar province.
Combined forces returned fire and then pursued the enemy attackers as they attempted to escape. Troops killed nearly 20 enemy fighters during the seven hour firefight that ensued. No Afghan civilian injuries were reported.
Elsewhere in the Shaheed Hasas District of Oruzgan province, a small number of enemy fighters fired multiple rockets at a 205th Afghan national army corps and coalition base. Combined forces returned fire and then quickly maneuvered on the enemy’s position, killing several fighters near the Mjani-Do village.
“Afghan national army and coalition soldiers will continue to pursue and defeat all enemy fighters who threaten the government of Afghanistan,” Belcher said. “With the support and resolve of the Afghan people, enemy fighters will be unable to derail the efforts of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.”
(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 82 News Releases.)
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46524
Forces Kill 11 Insurgents, Detain 25 Suspects in Iraq
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 24, 2007 – Iraqi and coalition forces killed 11 insurgents, detained 25 suspects and discovered several weapons caches in Iraq over the past three days, military officials reported.
Coalition forces killed four terrorists and detained 14 suspected terrorists today during operations around Iraq targeting al Qaeda leaders and operatives.
Operations south of Hawija targeted an al Qaeda terrorist leader known for helping foreign fighters move into Iraq, military officials said. As coalition forces approached the targeted building, four men got into a vehicle and drove away.
Coalition forces followed the men, one of whom was believed to be the targeted terrorist. When the vehicle stopped, the men got out of the vehicle with weapons in hand. Coalition forces, responded to the threat, engaged the armed men and killed them.
Inside the vehicle, coalition forces found rocket-propelled grenades. They safely destroyed the vehicle and weapons on site and moved to the next targeted building, where they detained four suspected terrorists who are allegedly involved with the al Qaeda leader.
In Baghdad today, coalition forces targeted operatives in the al Qaeda network when they raided two buildings in the city. One man was wounded as coalition forces entered the building. He was taken to a military medical facility for treatment.
Inside the building, coalition forces detained four suspected terrorists for their alleged association with al Qaeda. Ground forces also discovered two vehicles that tested positive for explosives residue, which they safely destroyed.
Coalition forces captured an alleged al Qaeda religious leader during a raid west of Taji, and detained four more suspected terrorists for their involvement with the targeted individual.
“As long as al Qaeda in Iraq continues to operate, we will continue to target them and disrupt their network,” said Army Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. “Removing al Qaeda from the population remains a top priority.”
In Iraq yesterday:
— Coalition troops killed five men armed with rifles, light machine guns and grenades during raids against al Qaeda operatives in Fallujah. At one raid site, coalition forces discovered two vehicles containing ammunition, hand grenades and mortar rounds.
— Coalition forces targeting a senior al Qaeda leader in Tikrit killed two men inside a vehicle that continued to speed towards them, failing to heed visual and audio signals to stop. Troops discovered an improvised explosive device on the back seat. Forces detained two suspected terrorists at the site.
— Coalition forces detained three suspects during operations in Sadr City as part of an effort to deny Iranian influence in Iraq. The detained Iranian surrogates are suspected of smuggling explosively formed projectiles and other munitions to be used against coalition forces and civilians in sectarian violence, military officials said.
— Iraqi army and coalition forces conducted a joint raid in Mosul, discovering a large factory used to make home-made explosives, improvised explosive devices and car bombs.
During operations June 22 in Iraq:
— Coalition forces in Mosul captured an alleged Kurdish extremist associated with
attacks in northern Iraq areas. The suspect is believed to be involved in helping foreign fighters move into Iraq, as well as conducting financial and media operations
for al Qaeda, military officials said. Four other suspected terrorists were detained in
nearby raids.
— Iraqi special operations forces detained a key rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi insurgent leader in Sadr City. The suspect is allegedly responsible for coordinating and conducting kidnappings, death squad killings and improvised explosive device attacks against innocent civilians and Iraqi and coalition forces, military officials said.
— Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers discovered several caches during clearing operations in Baghdad’s East Rashid Security District. The caches contained 17 60mm mortar rounds, one Dragunov sniper rifle, 18 armor-piercing rifle rounds, more than 700 small-arms ammunition, cell phones, cell phone initiators used in roadside bombs and 10 blasting caps.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps News Releases.)