Europa NewsWire.
KABUL, Afghanistan – A joint International Security Assistance Force
and an Afghan National Army unit came under attack by rocket propelled
grenades and small arms fire near Kapisa in eastern Afghanistan Oct. 31.
As a result of the engagement, seven civilians were injured.
Additionally, one ISAF service member was wounded and one insurgent was
killed. Following the attack, the injured civilians and the service
member were transported to an ISAF medical treatment facility for care,
where subsequently one civilian died despite receiving medical treatment
An initial report indicates the insurgents may have used the civilians as shields during the attack.
"Protecting Afghan civilians and providing for their security is ISAF's
top priority," said Air Force Lt. Col. Todd Vician, an ISAF Joint
Command spokesman. "Unlike the insurgents, our forces do all we can to
avoid civilian casualties and provide care when civilians are injured."
Afghan-International security forces detain suspected militants
An Afghan-international security force detained several suspected
militants in Khowst province in eastern Afghanistan after searching a
compound known to be frequented by a Haqqani enabler involved with
several IED and small arms attacks in the area. Enablers are the lower
ranking militant-cooperators who work for the insurgents at the
district and village levels.
The joint security force selected the compounds near the village of
Paru Kheyl in the Sabari district after intelligence indicated militant
activity. The joint force searched the compound without incident,
recovered several small arms weapons and ammunition, and detained the
suspected militants. One of the detained suspects was identified as the
sought-after Haqqani enabler. No shots were fired and no one was
injured.
In a separate event, an Afghan-international security force searched a
number of compounds in Ghazni province in eastern Afghanistan known to
be used by a Taliban enabler and his element currently operating in the
area. The joint security force selected the compounds near the village
of Rad Kheyl in Zanakhan district after intelligence indicated militant
activity. The joint force searched the compounds without incident and
recovered multiple RPG rounds, a mortar round and PKM machine gun
ammunition, which was located in a mosque. All items were destroyed in
a safe place away from buildings and structures. No shots were fired
and no one was injured.
ISAF Casualties
In southern Afghanistan during separate incidents, two ISAF service
members died Oct. 31. One ISAF member was killed when his patrol struck
an improvised explosive device. The other service member died of wounds
received after encountering an IED while on patrol.
It is ISAF policy to defer identification procedures of casualties to
the relevant national authorities. The service member who died of
wounds was from the United States.
Source: ISAF HQ Public Affairs.
Photo by: 55th Combat Camera.