Afghan national army soldiers of the 207th Corps, assisted by coalition forces, killed 10 militants in Khaki Safed District, Farah province, early today – May 31 2009.

The combined force was conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol when they were engaged by armed militants using small-arms and rocket propelled grenade fire near a village.

The combined patrol ensured there were no non-combatants in the vicinity before returning fire.

Ten armed militants were killed during the engagement. The friendly forces searched the area, recovering weapons and equipment used by the militants in the attack.

After the engagement, the combined elements held a meeting with the nearby villagers to see if anyone was injured as a result of the militant attack. The villagers stated that no non-combatant casualties had occurred.

After the meeting concluded, the munitions, equipment and compound of the militants was turned over to a provincial government official who arrived on the scene. All unserviceable militant weaponry and equipment was taken a safe distance away from the village and destroyed by the ANA.

No ANA, coalition force or non-combatant casualties were reported.

DVIDS

Afghan national army soldiers, advised by coalition forces, killed 20 armed militants in Kajaki District, Helmand province, April 1.

In a continuous effort to deny militant freedom of movement, the ANA-led force conducted a combat reconnaissance patrol in an area of known militant presence. While conducting a dismounted patrol, the combined elements were attacked by dozens of armed militants with small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. The ANA-led force returned fire, causing the enemy to withdraw to secondary fighting positions.

The ANA and coalition forces positively identified the enemy fighting position as the militants regrouped. Once the combined elements ensured there were no non-combatants in the area, a precision strike was called to neutralize the enemy.

Twenty militants were killed in the engagement. No ANA, coalition forces or non-combatant injuries were reported.

“The ANA soldiers and coalition forces work side-by-side in pursuit of militants who are quickly losing their ability to operate in Helmand province,” said Col. Greg Julian, U.S. Forces-Afghanistan spokesperson.

DVIDS