A U.S. Army Soldier looks through Afghan voter registration cards, July 12, which were taken from women in the Barge Matal area by insurgents, hoping to disrupt the national elections, scheduled for late August, by denying women the right to vote. The cards were found by U.S. forces while service members searched Barge Matal during an operation aimed at taking back the tiny village in Afghanistan’s eastern Nuristan province, which was overwhelmed by insurgents earlier in the week. ISAF and ANSF plan to return the card to local village elders in the coming days. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew C. Moeller, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

A combined military operation between Afghan National Security Forces and International Security Assistance Forces, launched July 12, secured Barge Matal, in eastern Nuristan province.

Insurgent forces had overwhelmed the isolated mountain village several days prior to the operation, but fled as ANSF and ISAF service members quickly secured key areas of the village.

While securing the area, service members discovered several large weapons caches, including one in a local hotel, known for housing anti-Afghan forces in the area.

ANSF and ISAF also found a bag containing more than 80 voter registration cards taken from women in the area. The cards are believed to be evidence of insurgents desire to disrupt the national elections, scheduled for late August, by denying women the right to vote

A gun battle erupted in the late afternoon of July 12, and lasted into the early evening, until ANSF and ISAF personnel successfully repelled the insurgent attack.

Coalition representatives plan to meet with village elders in the near future to discuss the town’s continuing development, and to return the voter registration cards taken from local women by insurgents.

CJTF-82

International Security Assistance Forces destroyed two tons of pure heroin yesterday – May 24 2009, during operations in eastern Afghanistan.

Security forces discovered the heroin, with a local value of approximately $3,000,000 US, after searching a suspicious vehicle. The narcotics were confiscated during ongoing operations, and were subsequently destroyed by ISAF.

This incident once again demonstrates the resolve of Afghan security forces, ISAF, and coalition forces to target the illegal narcotics industry that finances the insurgency.

Funds gathered from the narcotics trade encourage corruption, and pay for the weapons and explosives that insurgents use to kill innocent civilians, ANSF, ISAF and coalition forces.

This latest success in the fight against the illegal narcotics industry, follows coalition forces recent seizing of significant quantities of drugs following operations in the Marjah area of Helmand province.

DVIDS

International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) and Afghan National Police representatives met today [February 28 2009] with provincial authorities to respond to local concerns raised at a protest yesterday in Ghazni province, alleging that a mosque had been damaged.

Previously, Afghan National Police in Ghazni, acting on information that a certain building in the village of Deh-e Khodaydad was being used as a militant safe house and recruitment centre, requested that ISAF troops support an ANP operation intended to capture militant cell leaders there.

During the Feb. 26 operation, Afghan National Police entered the building using a non-lethal concussion grenade to subdue possible occupants. ISAF forces provided a security cordon around the building, but did not enter. The ANP found no militants inside the building, and no shots were reportedly fired. There were no reports of injuries in the operation or of significant damage to the building or its contents. Additionally, there was no indication that the building might have been used as a mosque.

On Feb. 27, based upon unsubstantiated claims that the building was a mosque and that religious materials had allegedly been damaged, a local protest occurred involving approximately 200 people. Afghan National Police responded to the scene. No ISAF forces were involved in the protest.

The protest may have been instigated by a deliberate enemy propaganda ploy. ISAF continues to investigate the claim.

ISAF

Afghan National Police (ANP) and International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) captured two insurgents connected with the Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device attack which killed two U.S. Soldiers in Khowst district on 10 February.

During the operation in the Tirzaye District, the combined force searched the compound revealing one set of U.S. uniforms, night vision equipment, a mobile phone, rifle, pistol and two bags containing documents.

“The ANP and ISAF elements had cordoned off the area and the insurgents were asked to surrender, which they did,” said U.S. Army Maj. Patrick Seiber, in Khowst Province. “There were no shots fired.”

Four women and five children were present and unharmed during the operation.

ISAF

International Security Assistance Forces killed several militants after a mounted patrol was attacked in Khowst province yesterday [January 21 2009].

ISAF forces were attacked by a large number of insurgents. The ISAF patrol fired back in response and called in attack helicopters and close-air support.

Upon positive identification of insurgent forces, the close-air support engaged the enemy. Helicopters fired multiple munitions killing the remaining insurgents from the initial attack.

ISAF servicemembers from a nearby operating base assessed the scene confirming a total of 22 insurgents killed in the remote area. There were no civilians in the area and no damage to structures in the vicinity.

ISAF