An Afghan-led force killed more than 20 insurgents and destroyed more than 40 improvised explosive devices in northwestern Kandahar province during a three-day operation that ended Nov. 29.

The operation consisted of forces from the Afghan Border Police and Afghan National Army commandos, partnered with soldiers from Special Operations Task Force – South.

As the forces cleared their initial objective, area citizens provided information leading to further exploitation of the surrounding areas. The information came during evening shuras between area residents and the partnered force.

Following these discussions, the combined element decided to continue the operation past its planned 24-hour timeframe.

In all, the operation led to the discovery of two drug processing facilities, multiple explosives manufacturing facilities including nearly nine tons (8,500 kilograms in 170 50-kilogram bags) of explosives, 41 Kalashnikov assault rifles and eight high-caliber machine guns with 1,000 rounds.

The partnered force also cleared 41 IED’s from the area.

Elsewhere in northern Kandahar province’s Shah Wali Kot district, the District Governor Haji Obidullah and Afghan National Army special forces, along with their from Special Operations Task Force – South partners, located two weapons storage sites following tips from local citizens, Nov. 28.

The partnered force found almost 10,000 rounds of ammunition, multiple 82 mm mortar rounds, five rocket-propelled grenade warheads and a wide variety of IED-making material to include detonation cord, blasting caps and pressure plates.

Also in Kandahar province’s Arghandab district, Afghan National Police recovered two IED’s along a well-travelled road Nov. 29. Soldiers from Special Operations Task Force – South safely disposed of the IED’s.

No civilian casualties or property damage resulted from these operations.

DVIDS

U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan killed 16 enemy fighters in several operations March 7, 2009, military officials reported.

In addition, forces captured two weapons smugglers March 6.

A combined Afghan and coalition force arrived at a targeted compound in Khowst province yesterday and was engaged by multiple armed militants using small-arms fire in a populated, urban area. The combined force returned fire, killing four militants and injuring one.

The injured militant was treated by a coalition medical team and was detained. Another militant who had fled the compound on foot was captured and detained, and three other militants were detained without incident.

A search revealed weapons, explosives and bomb-making materials, which were taken off the compound to prevent their use against Afghan citizens, Afghan security forces and coalition forces. Fourteen women and 26 children were protected during the operation.

In Kandahar province yesterday, a combined Afghan and coalition force conducted two operations to disable a mid-level Taliban commander responsible for conducting operations in the province’s Maywand district. Based on information provided by a local resident, forces targeted a compound where a militant was staying. When the force reached the compound, an enemy combatant engaged them and was killed. A search of the compound revealed multiple weapons and grenades, which were destroyed outside the compound, minimizing collateral damage.

At a second location, two armed militants were killed during combat operations. A search of the compound revealed weapons and grenades, which were destroyed a safe distance from people and structures. Eight women and 14 children were protected.

Also yesterday, forces led by Afghan National Police killed five armed extremists during a patrol in the Tarin Kowt district of Oruzgan province. The combined forces patrol was ambushed by small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire in a highly populated area. Taking into account the large number of innocent civilians nearby, the Afghan National Police used precisely controlled small-arms fire to suppress and ultimately defeat the five enemy combatants.

Following the engagement, the police officers secured the area and found a bomb on a well-traveled roadside near where the attack took place. The device, which officials said was designed as an indiscriminate “victim-activated” bomb, was destroyed in a controlled detonation. No civilian or security force casualties were reported.

In other news, the Afghan Border Police participated in a joint combat operation with coalition forces against a known militant compound in Khowst province yesterday. Four armed militants were killed when they attempted to kill members of the joint force, and five other suspected bomb makers were detained. The combined force found and confiscated weapons, explosives and bomb-making materials.

“Instigators stirred up a group of protestors complaining that Afghans were not involved in the incident and that innocent civilians were killed, but these were, indeed, armed militants as reported by the border policemen and coalition forces who were involved in the raid,” Army Col. Greg. Julian, a U.S. Forces Afghanistan spokesman, said.

On March 6, Afghan National Police, assisted by coalition forces, captured two enemy weapons facilitators during an early morning search of a compound in Ghazni province. The suspects are linked to weapons smuggling and supplying Taliban commanders with weapons and ammunition to facilitate attacks on Afghan security forces, officials said.

The police secured the area with no shots fired, and no police, coalition forces or noncombatants were injured in the operation.

DoD

This is right on the Iranian border, nearly due west of Herat.

The Afghan Border Police (ABP), 4th Brigade, in coordination with investigators from the Ministry of the Interior seized five vehicles carrying illegal narcotics, weapons and ammunition, December 18.

566 kg of drugs along with other contraband items were seized at a checkpoint near Musa Abad, 130 km from Herat. A five-man ABP team was performing a routine patrol when they engaged in an extended contact with smugglers. During the contact, the smugglers used the cover of darkness to escape, but the vehicles were captured and subsequently taken to the ABP headquarters outside Herat for processing.

“I was tasked by the General [to undertake] the patrol,” said ABP Sergeant Abul Qudoos, team leader of the patrol that made the find. “It was late at night, we had 2 and a half hours of fighting, the smugglers ran away, but we took five vehicles full of narcotics. I am proud of this accomplishment and I really appreciate the Quick Reaction Force (QRF). When the fighting started we called them and they arrived within two hours. We achieved this with the QRF’s cooperation.”

The ABP, in the western region, are mentored by an eight-member American team assigned to the Afghan Regional Security Integration Command-West (ARSIC-W). This team is responsible for advising more than 2,000 ABP troops who have the largest area of operation in Afghanistan, from the border of Farah province to Marcheck.

“This is the largest seizure we’ve seen for the 4th brigade,” said U.S. Army Capt. Garret Turley, Executive Officer for the ABP mentor team. “This will bring more eyes to the 4th brigade’s area of responsibility. The fight is coming here and we already know that. We are trying to get our leaders to see that and get us more resources.”

The weapons, drugs and ammunition will be destroyed and the ABP continue their investigation.

“I think the mission of the ABP is the most important,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Larry Willbanks, commander of the ABP mentor team. “If you can’t secure your border you can’t keep smuggled goods from coming in and you can‘t keep illegal narcotics from going out. You can’t generate revenue at your ports like you should if that border is not secure.”

ISAF