Eighteen insurgents were killed during a pre-emptive defensive strike by International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Konar province on the evening of April 10.

ISAF service members were on patrol throughout the day along a known insurgent infiltration route in the Pech District. The force then established a patrol base and deployed out an observation team.

Approximately 26 insurgents with weapons and lights walked within six feet of the observers, giving the patrol positive identification of the group.

As the group of insurgents moved toward the patrol, the observers radioed back to the patrol base. The patrol leader then repositioned his personnel to engage the militants.

After the initial fire fight, close-air support and attack helicopters were called to support the ground forces.

Following the engagement, the platoon collected enemy supplies including 10 AK-47s, Rocket-propelled grenade launchers with ammunition, five radios and two hand grenades.

The incident resulted in no civilian or ISAF casualties.

ISAF

Afghan national security forces, assisted by coalition forces, killed six insurgents and destroyed a weapons cache in Shaheed Hasas District, Oruzgan province today [4-8-2009].

The combined forces were conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol in order to deny insurgent freedom of movement, when they positively identified six armed men emplacing improvised explosive devices and constructing an ambush site.

ANSF and coalition forces engaged the militants with mortar fire, killing all six. A search of the area uncovered several improvised explosive device making materials, small arms, two containers of homemade explosives, ammunition, detonators and 10 mortar rounds. ANSF destroyed the cache in place.

No ANSF, coalition force or civilian casualties were reported.

DVIDS

ISAF countered three attempts by insurgent forces to attack ISAF bases in Bermel district, Paktika, Nov. 27.

ISAF soldiers first saw two insurgents positioning rockets in preparation for an attack. The ISAF troops fired six artillery rounds at the location.

Within an hour, eight rockets were fired at the ISAF base. In response, ISAF fired four artillery rounds at the insurgents inside of Pakistan. Military observers watching the impact of the rounds reported secondary explosions.

In a third event, insurgents fired three rockets at the ISAF base. ISAF soldiers returned fire with 12 artillery rounds in response. Observers confirmed three secondary explosions and several killed insurgents.

ISAF closely coordinates its actions with the Pakistani Military.

One Afghan security guard received minor wounds from the insurgents’ attacks. There were no ISAF or civilian casualties.

ISAF

Insurgents used two Afghan children as shields while they attempted to emplace IEDs in a road in Farah province Oct. 18.

U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment were conducting counter IED operations along a route in Golestan to ensure the safe passage of civilian traffic and ground convoys when they observed four insurgents attempting to emplace an IED in the road.

Initially the Marines observed four adults and two children in a truck laden with burlap sacks and shovels. The adults began digging holes. Once the burlap sacks were removed from the truck and opened, the Marines were able to see IED materiel in the sacks and that the holes being dug in the road were for IEDs.

Marine snipers shot two of the positively identified insurgents as they emplaced an IED. After the initial shots were fired, the other two insurgents grabbed the two children they had brought with them and held them in front of them to use them as shields.

The Marines waited until the children were let go and ran away before snipers shot the remaining two insurgents. The children fled in the direction of a mosque and were unharmed.

“We know that the insurgents often display a blatant disregard for civilian life. They frequently attempt to exploit our adherence to the rule of law. Unfortunately for them, our Marines are well trained in positively identifying targets before engaging them,” said Colonel Peter Petronzio, commanding officer for the Interim Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan.

ISAF

Marines with Regimental Combat Team 5 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion killed three insurgents Aug. 14 in southwestern Anbar province.

Near the scene of the engagement, the Marines discovered two suicide vests, two drums of 14.5 mm ammunition, 3,000 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, one loaded RPG launcher, three AK-47 assault rifles and an assortment of TNT explosives with detonation cord.

No Coalition forces were injured in the incident.

“The security in Iraq is improving, but it’s still dangerous because bad people remain out there. No matter where the bad guys are, we’re going to find them and we’re going to get them,” said Lt. Col. Russ Smith, the battalion commander of 2nd LAR.

MNF-I