America's North Shore Journal

Afghan National Army troops boarded a C-17 cargo plane at the International Security Assistance Force airport for a flight to Turkey to take part in the first of a series of extensive training opportunities in securing the development and defense of Afghanistan.

The 119 ANA troops are the first group to take part in military training for several weeks of specialized operations. It will be conducted primarily by Turkish forces with assistance from American forces and includes courses in leadership along with the skills necessary to perform in the capacity of a special operations force unit.

Afghan and international forces seized enemy weapons and killed insurgent attackers in operations in Afghanistan in recent days, military officials reported.

Combined Afghan and International Security Assistance Force units killed at least two dozen insurgents during fighting in southern and eastern Afghanistan and detained numerous others.

When ISAF troops reached Belanday a number of insurgents, including two wearing suicide vests, tried to escape. Approximately 25 insurgents were killed in the engagement with one being captured and currently being detained for questioning.

Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers, elements of the Afghan National Police and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) service members repelled a complex attack by insurgents in Paktia province, Afghanistan, 27 May.

Afghan national security forces and International Security Assistance Forces have reported intense fighting in the Marjah area of Helmand province; over the last few days.

Marjah is known to be an insurgent stronghold, and recent events suggest there is an ongoing and concerted effort to build up the number of militants in the region. These militants include foreign fighters particularly from Balochistan, Pakistan. It is expected that this build up will result in a rise in violence.

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.

The mission came just at the right time for the villagers. The end of winter tends to be a difficult time as stores of supplies gathered over the spring and summer have already been consumed. The donation made by the ANA and ISAF will help fill the gap until crop yields in the area are harvested in the spring. During the delivery, the villagers promised to assist and support the ANA and Afghan National Police and other governmental forces in the region.

January 11, a company of Afghan Warriors (the Afghan term used to describe their riflemen), advanced towards a crucial road junction, supported by Danish infantry, mortars and Leopard 2 tanks from The Jutland Dragoons, British counter-IED specialists from 59th Commando Royal Engineers and the British Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams (OMLT). The engineers discovered seven IEDs that day, and an additional five were discovered in the area by the end of the operation.