Be sure to read the second part of this story, from Reuters.

Afghan-international security forces conducted clearing operations Nov. 1 through 6 in the Chahar Dara district of the northern region of Kunduz province, killing more than 130 insurgents including eight Taliban commanders.

More than 750 Afghan and International forces took part in the operation to stop insurgent activity and weapons trafficking in the Chahar Dara district. The team also disrupted the insurgent shadow governor in Kunduz province.

The Afghan-International force provided humanitarian supplies to the affected villages after the operation. Six trucks delivered warm clothing and food, including staple items such as cooking oil, rice and beans. For photos showing Afghan soldiers handing supplies to local villages, go here.

Gov. Mohammad Omar of Kunduz province praised the accuracy of ISAF airstrikes against the insurgents and the caution used to employ them in areas void of civilian population or infrastructure.

“It is the largest operation I’ve ever seen in Kunduz,” the governor said. “You’ve got the Taliban running all over the place. Overall, I think this operation is wonderful.”

The military elements will continue to meet with village elders and ensure the area remains secure following the conclusion of the combat operations.

“People of Kunduz are very appreciative that international forces and Afghan National Security Forces are working together to better Afghanistan,” Governor Omar said. “Taliban in the area are on the run, and we have shown them that they cannot control the area.”

No ANSF or ISAF personnel were killed, and no civilians were injured during this operation.

ISAF

Kunduz province is mainly patrolled by the NATO force’s German contingent, which has failed to prevent Taliban fighters from taking control of many rural villages in recent months.

Its Char Dara district was the site of the deadliest incident involving German troops since World War Two. In early September, a German officer ordered a U.S. air strike that the Afghan government says killed 30 civilians as well as 69 fighters.

Germany acknowledged this week for the first time that civilians were killed in that strike and not all procedures were followed correctly, but says an air strike was nonetheless needed to prevent a suicide attack by fighters in stolen fuel trucks.

Reuters

Afghan and International security forces killed and detained groups of suspected militants in four separate search operations conducted Oct. 6 and 7, in eastern and southern Afghanistan.

A joint security force killed and detained several suspected militants in Saydabad district, Wardak province today, after searching a compound known to be used by a Taliban group believed responsible for improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan civilians and regional infrastructure.

During the search the joint security force received hostile fire and returned fire, killing several enemy militants. The joint force also found a suicide vest and destroyed it in place.

On Oct. 6, a joint security force killed and detained suspected militants in Kabul province during an operation to disrupt a Taliban element responsible for improvised explosive device placement and attacks on joint forces in southeast Afghanistan. Acting on reports indicating the presence of a known Taliban commander, the joint force searched a location near Niknazar Kalay in Shinkay district.

During the search enemy militants armed with rifles attempted to move against the joint force. The joint force received hostile fire from enemy militants and responded with small arms fire killing them. A search of the suspected militants revealed multiple AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition, which were destroyed in place.

In another operation today a joint security force detained several suspected militants south of Marjeh in Helmand province. The joint force searched a compound known to be used by a Taliban commander and his element believed to be responsible for transporting weapons to other militant elements and for several small arms and suicide attacks against Afghan civilians and infrastructure in the region. The force uncovered 115 pounds of black tar heroin and destroyed all of it in place.

In a fourth operation a joint security force captured two wanted Taliban militants Oct. 6 in the Tere Zayi district of Khowst province where enemy fighters had created a safe-haven. The suspected Taliban militants were wanted for conducting illegal activities including coordinating attacks against joint security forces and for facilitating the distribution of weapons and narcotics.

During this operation the joint security force searched a number of compounds known to be used by militants and Taliban leaders who are believed to be responsible for roadside bomb attacks against Afghan National Security Forces in the area. Several suspected militants were detained for questioning.

A supply of AK-47 rifles, ammunition and magazines was found during the search and destroyed.

No Afghan civilians were harmed during these operations.

No ISAF service members were killed over the past 24 hours.

ISAF

Afghan and coalition forces searched an enemy encampment last night in the remote reaches of Paktya province in an effort to disrupt the Haqqani-coordinated flow of foreign fighters and weapons through the Khowst-Gardez Pass.

The force targeted the site, about 35 kilometers southeast of the city of Gardez, after intelligence indicated militant activity. The force was engaged by small-arms fire from hostile militants on several different occasions throughout the operation. The force used direct fire and close air support to repel the attacks from militants.

Several enemy militants were killed during the engagement. The force continued the search and uncovered large munitions caches throughout the enemy encampment. All munitions were destroyed in place.

The Haqqani network remains one of the most lethal Taliban organizations operating out of Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Area. Haqqani leaders conduct operations in conjunction with other Islamic militant groups with similar goals and interests. The network focuses operations against the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Afghan national security forces and seeks to expel coalition and NATO forces from Afghanistan to maintain its influence in eastern provinces.

DVIDS

A U.S. Army Soldier looks through Afghan voter registration cards, July 12, which were taken from women in the Barge Matal area by insurgents, hoping to disrupt the national elections, scheduled for late August, by denying women the right to vote. The cards were found by U.S. forces while service members searched Barge Matal during an operation aimed at taking back the tiny village in Afghanistan’s eastern Nuristan province, which was overwhelmed by insurgents earlier in the week. ISAF and ANSF plan to return the card to local village elders in the coming days. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew C. Moeller, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

A combined military operation between Afghan National Security Forces and International Security Assistance Forces, launched July 12, secured Barge Matal, in eastern Nuristan province.

Insurgent forces had overwhelmed the isolated mountain village several days prior to the operation, but fled as ANSF and ISAF service members quickly secured key areas of the village.

While securing the area, service members discovered several large weapons caches, including one in a local hotel, known for housing anti-Afghan forces in the area.

ANSF and ISAF also found a bag containing more than 80 voter registration cards taken from women in the area. The cards are believed to be evidence of insurgents desire to disrupt the national elections, scheduled for late August, by denying women the right to vote

A gun battle erupted in the late afternoon of July 12, and lasted into the early evening, until ANSF and ISAF personnel successfully repelled the insurgent attack.

Coalition representatives plan to meet with village elders in the near future to discuss the town’s continuing development, and to return the voter registration cards taken from local women by insurgents.

CJTF-82

Two related stories from the Marine operation in southern Afghanistan.

Afghan National Police assisted by International Security Assistance Force troops have restored government control in the town of Khan Neshin, July 6.

The mission was part of ISAF’s ongoing mission, Operation Khanjar, designed to provide stable conditions for the Afghan people by disrupting insurgents’ lines of communication and freedom of movement in Helmand province.

Afghan National Security Forces accompanied by approximately 500 US Marines have moved into the Khan Neshin area, located in the Rig District, near the part of the Helmand River known as “The Fishhook.” This is the first time international forces have had a sustained presence so far south in the Helmand River valley. Khan Neshin had been an insurgent stronghold for several years before ANSF and ISAF troops arrived and began discussions with local leaders several days ago.

The mission to secure Khan Neshin was part of a larger operation undertaken by ANSF and ISAF and to stabilise towns along the Helmand River Valley in order to connect local Afghans with their legitimate government while establishing secure conditions for national elections scheduled for August.

ISAF

After a 10 hour bumpy, dusty drive through the desert, the United States Marine Corps has now secured one of the southernmost points of operations in Helmand Province and begun construction on what will be the largest Combat Outpost (COP) ever built by Combat Logistics Batallion-8 from Camp Lejuene, North Carolina.

“This is the tip of the spear,” said Capt. Chris Annunziata. “Everything that happens south of the river depends on us.”

Within minutes of bulldozer and excavators being unloaded from flatbed trucks, construction began on COP Payne which overlooks the Helmand river valley. Annunziata, the onsite officer in charge of the construction project said building the COP will take just 96 hours to complete. The COP will serve as a logistical centre for all operations that will eventually take place south of the river along the border with Pakistan.

By the end of the first day of construction, a ten foot wall of dirt and gravel surrounded the 600 foot by 600 foot compound and a burn pit was dug for disposing of garbage. As the same time, other crews are working on a fording site across the Helmand River and fortifying Khan Necsion, a former insurgent stronghold that will now be handed over to the district governor.

“I have the best equipped and most motivated Marines,” said Annunziata. “These men and women are true professionals and I couldn’t be more proud of them.” The Marines carried out their work under the oppressive Afghan sun with temperatures soaring above 50 degrees centigrade.

Across the river, a curious lone rancher and his herd of cattle watched as COB Payne took shape. He was the only Afghan seen since departing Forward Operating Base Dwyer the night before.

“I wasn’t expecting any contact with insurgents on the drive down here,” said convoy commander, Lieutenant Tabitha Pinter. “This was a complete surprise. The enemy had no idea we were coming and they had no idea we’d take the route we took.” The convoy of 35 trucks and armoured vehicles drove through 112 kilometre of barren desert where no roads currently exist.

The Marines are not letting the quiet beauty of the river valley catch them with their guard down.

“All was quiet when we built Fire Base Thunder. It was three or four days later the insurgents learned we were there and that’s when they started their attacks,” said Annunziata.

ISAF