Three news releases from US Forces Afghanistan in the inbox this morning. First, the overview:
Now, the bad news.Coalition forces kill six, detain seven during operations in Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan – Coalition forces killed six armed militants and detained seven suspected militants while targeting the Haqqani and Taliban leadership in Paktia, Khowst and Ghazni provinces, Tuesday.
Coalition forces in Paktia, searched a compound in Zadran District, targeting a Haqqani commander and financier, known to coordinate and direct terrorist attacks in the region. The force searched the compound without incident, detaining two suspected militants.
In Shamal District, Khowst, a Coalition forces’ convoy was attacked by a group of armed militants. Coalition forces returned fire, engaging the militants with small-arms fire precision, close-air fire support, killing six armed militants and destroying one vehicle. No Coalition forces were injured during the engagement.
A third operation, in Ghazni province, netted four suspected militants as Coalition forces again targeted the Taliban leadership in Waghez District. The targeted Taliban sub-commander is suspected of facilitating and coordinating improvised explosive device attacks in the region. As the force searched the targeted compound, one male attempted to flee. Coalition forces, with the use of a military working dog, were able to track and apprehend the male. Four suspected militants were detained during the operation.
Also in Ghazni, Coalition forces targeted a militant associated with the Taliban terrorist network, in Deh Yak District, believed to facilitate IED attacks and the movement of foreign fighters into the region. The force detained one militant during the operation.
Mistaken identity possible cause of Coalition forces and ANA incidentFinally, the good news.KABUL, Afghanistan – Coalition forces may have mistakenly killed and injured Afghan National Army soldiers last night in Khowst province, Afghanistan.
As a Coalition forces convoy was returning from a previous operation, they were involved in multiple engagements.
As a result of the engagements, ANA soldiers were killed and injured.
Initial reports from troops on the ground indicate that this may be a case of mistaken identity on both sides.
The number of killed and injured is not available at this time.
Coalition forces are coordinating with the Afghan government and the Afghan National Army for a joint investigation into this incident.
Additional information will be released as available.
War is a dangerous business, and bullets know no master once they leave the rifle.Taliban leader killed in Helmand province
KABUL, Afghanistan – Taliban commander Mullah Ghafar was killed and two other militants were wounded in a Coalition airstrike in Helmand province Oct. 20.
Ghafar, a weapons and fighter facilitator, was responsible for conducting ambushes and attacks on checkpoints and Coalition forces convoys in Farah, Nimruz and Helmand provinces.
Coalition forces positively identified Ghafar entering a vehicle and traveling south on a roadway through Helmand province and called for close air support. Ghafar was killed and two other militants were wounded by precision air strikes.
No Coalition forces or civilian casualties were reported.
