Afghan National Army Commando students captured an insurgent and thwarted an insurgent attack, in Kapisa province, April 21.

Members of the newly minted 207th Commando Kandak performed a number of night-time air assault missions, resulting in the capture of one insurgent, numerous small weapons caches and IED materials. “The Company air assaulted into the target area, occupied blocking positions and cleared the objective utilizing speed, surprise and violence of action,” said the Coalition Team Leader in charge of the Commando training.

Prior to their graduation, the Commandos trained for, planned and executed their own mission to demonstrate their ability to perform competently in combat.

“I feel that there is continual improvement due to the growing capability of the Commando training company, the Afghan cadre, as well as the attention that the program receives from key leaders in the Afghan National Army and the Ministry of Defense,” said a Special Forces commander.

“We do this for the people of Afghanistan, and my Commandos did well during training and working with [Coalition forces],” said the 207th Kandak first sergeant, after the mission.

Next, the Commandos will graduate training and perform strategic strikes against insurgents, with the support of Coalition forces. “The capabilities of the Commando force enhance the security of the Afghan people, thus creating the opportunity for stability operations,” said the Special Forces commander. This will create an atmosphere for other organizations to initiate development projects, such as the opening of schools and government offices.

(Editors Note: It is Special Forces policy to not identify members below the rank of lieutenant colonel.

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(April 27, 2008) – Coalition forces engaged Anti-Afghan forces in the Tag Ab District of Kapisa province, Saturday, resulting in the death of several AAF militants.

Coalition forces conducted a search of several compounds in the Tag Ab District in an effort to disrupt AAF IED activities. Coalition forces’ search also targeted a Taliban militant known to have facilitated both Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device attacks and attacks against Afghan government and Coalition forces by foreign fighters. The targeted Taliban militant was believed to be planning operations to disrupt the Afghan National Independence Day celebrations and is believed to be among the dead.

During their search, an unknown number of AAF engaged Coalition forces with small-arms fire from several buildings. Coalition forces responded to the AAF attack with small-arms fire, artillery and close-air support. During the battle, Afghan National Security Forces and additional Coalition forces provided reinforcements. There were several civilian casualties during the battle. Some of the wounded were treated locally, and others were taken to a nearby Coalition hospital for treatment.

As Coalition forces continued to search the area they discovered and removed a suicide IED vest./cite>
CJTF-101

Afghan National Security Forces, advised by Coalition forces, conducted an operation in Bati Kowt District, Nangarhar province, April 27. The target of the operation was a known suicide bomb and IED facilitator.

The combined force came under machine-gun fire as they cleared the objective, and was able to eliminate the threat. Two insurgents were killed during the operation and four others were detained.

One ANSF member was killed during the operation. Coalition forces reported no casualties as a result of this operation.

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A dozen insurgents were killed and a dozen more were wounded during a failed attack, Sunday, on Afghan National Army and U.S. bases in Kunar province’s Korengal Valley.

An estimated 30 to 40 insurgents attacked five bases in the Korengal valley with small-arms fire, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and indirect fire. Afghan and U.S. forces repelled the enemy’s attack utilizing effective small-arms fire, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, mortar rounds, and artillery fire and close-air support.

No Afghan, U.S. Soldiers or civilians were killed or injured in the attack.

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Afghan National Army Commandos and Afghan National Police, assisted by Coalition forces, killed insurgents in Galuch Village, Laghman province April 27.

Commandos from the 201st Commando Kandak were searching Galuch when, air-support elements identified insurgents on a nearby ridge with a rocket propelled grenade. The air-support elements killed insurgents before the RPG was utilized against friendly forces. Another insurgent fled the area.

The Commandos found a rifle, IED materials and RPGs during the operation.

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