Afghan National Police and ISAF forces repelled about 100 insurgents today [July 27 2008] in the Spera district centre of Khowst.

At about 2 a.m., insurgents attacked the ANP in the district centre with small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. ISAF units responded to help the ANP.

Together, the ANP and ISAF units surrounded the insurgents and called for air strikes consisting of heavy machine gun fire from helicopters. Some insurgents attempted to take cover in a nearby building that helicopters then struck with missiles.

ANP and ISAF continued to engage the insurgents in a fire fight from the ground and air until the early morning hours.

Initial reports indicate that a small number of ANP officers have been killed and wounded and the number of insurgents killed is in double-digit figures.

ISAF

More than 15 insurgents were killed by Afghan National Army and Coalition forces in a farming compound west of Rawonay, Kandahar province, Saturday [June 14 2008], during a search for escaped prisoners from Kandahar City.

A large cache of munitions and IED components were discovered during the search. The combined forces used precision air strikes to destroy the compound after insurgents attacked with small-arms fire.

More than 15 insurgents were killed and five suspects were taken into custody by the ANA.

It has not been confirmed whether the insurgents or the five suspects in custody are escaped prisoners.

No civilian, Afghan or Coalition casualties were reported.

CJTF-101

The Iraqi Army rescued 42 college students after they were kidnapped by insurgents in southwestern Mosul April 6.

The Iraqi Army detained one suspect, and Iraqi Police are currently searching for additional suspects.

After Iraqi Security Forces reported the kidnapping, a Coalition force aircraft spotted a suspicious vehicle thought to contain the students. The insurgents fled the scene after the vehicle was stopped.

Some of the students left the area but were picked up by Iraqi Security Forces while others made their way a nearby Iraqi Security Forces combat outpost.

All 42 students are accounted for and are safe.

The Iraqi Army detained one of the insurgents at a nearby house. Iraqi and Coalition forces continue to search for others individuals involved in the kidnapping.

“Today’s efforts by the Iraqi Security Forces display not only their commitment to tracking down insurgents, but also their ability to secure the future of Iraq,” said Maj. Gary Dangerfield, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment spokesperson.

The incident is under investigation by the Iraqi Security Forces.

MNF-I

Afghan national security forces, assisted by coalition forces, destroyed an improvised explosive device, a suicide-vest factory and captured one insurgent in Zabul province, March 12-16.

Afghan national police and coalition forces were attacked by two insurgents on a motorcycle during a routine operation in Nawbahar District. ANSF engaged the enemy who fled. One insurgent was captured by the ANP and held for questioning.

Afghan national security forces located two stolen vehicles in the village of Persha in response to intelligence reports. Upon further investigation of this site, ANSF found an IED/suicide-vest factory, a large weapons cache and a field hospital.

The IED factory contained all the supplies to make IEDs and suicide vests. Coalition forces also found five completed suicide vests, 11 sticks of dynamite, two heavy machine guns with ammunition, ammonium nitrate (used in making explosives), and one ANP uniform. Additionally, a notebook filled with instructions and math formulas used to build bombs and emplace IEDs, as well as a notebook filled with emergency medical instructions was found.

A stolen taxi was returned to its owner. The other vehicle was in the process of being turned into a vehicle-borne IED. It was blown up along with the building, which was used as the IED factory. The medical supplies from the hospital were turned over to the local clinic.

“The insurgents’ intent was clear, they wanted to hurt or kill innocent Afghan citizens by creating two VBIEDs and several suicide vests and IEDs,” said U.S. Army Capt. Vanessa Bowman, a coalition forces spokesperson. “Afghan national security forces, partnered with coalition forces, saved lives of the people living and traveling through Zabul.”

“ANSF will continue to pressure the insurgents and deny them freedom of movement in the province,” he added. “The recent efforts by ANSF have decreased the attacks along Highway 1 because they’re bringing the fight to their support areas.”

DVIDS

Three insurgents were killed while conducting an attack against an Iraqi Army combat outpost in Mosul, March 15.

10 to 12 insurgents attacked using grenades, RPG, and small arms fire in an attempt to breach the security of the combat outpost.

The IA soldiers returned fire killing three of the attackers.

An initial inspection of the insurgents killed identified one of them as wearing a suicide vest.

“The effectiveness of the IA to combat this type of attack shows the determination to rid Mosul of violence,” said Maj. Dan Meyers, spokesman for Multi-National Division-North.

The outpost is secure and the incident is currently under investigation.

MNF-I