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Terrorists Killed, Captured in Afghanistan; Insurgent Attacks Foiled

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 2006 – Afghan and coalition forces killed three al Qaeda members and detained three others during a raid today in Afghanistan’s Khowst province, U.S. military officials reported.

Intelligence linked the targeted terrorists to previous remote-controlled and makeshift car bomb attacks in Khowst.

Upon arrival, the assault force received small-arms fire from the targeted building. The ground force returned fire, killing the three terrorists. The other three were detained on site without incident.

Numerous assault rifles with armor-piercing ammunition, along with a weapons cache of grenades and other ordnance was found in a building at the target location. The weapons cache was moved outside the compound and destroyed. No Afghan or coalition forces were injured during this operation.

In a separate incident in Afghanistan, a group of insurgents attacked the Gomal District Center in Paktika province yesterday using small-arms and rocket-propelled-grenade fire, officials said.

The Paktika Province Coordination Center, an Afghan government office set up to coordinate security activities of the Afghan National Army and police, called the Afghan Border Patrol to provide support to thwart the attack. No border patrol soldiers or insurgent fighters were killed, and the center received only minor damage, officials said.

Also in Paktika province yesterday, insurgents attempted to abduct a truck driver delivering gravel to local villages. The insurgents ambushed the driver with small-arms fire. Once the vehicle was stopped, the enemy fighters attempted to kidnap the driver, but he escaped. No coalition support was requested for either incident.

“The single largest factor undermining development and progress in Afghanistan today is the extremists’ blatant disregard for Afghan citizens who simply want a better life for themselves and their children,” said Maj. Matt Hackathorn, a spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force 76. “Extremists resort to attacking civilians to terrorize local citizens, but the Afghan national security forces, with assistance from coalition forces, will continue efforts to improve the lives of the Afghan people.”

Source: American Forces Press Service

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