An Afghan-ISAF patrol discovered two trucks containing a significant amount of narcotics in the Garm Ser district of Helmand province yesterday. The patrol found a total of 926 kilograms (2,040 lbs) of raw opium, 851 kg (1,875 lbs) of processed opium and 279 kg (615 lbs) of hashish in the vehicles. The occupants of the trucks were taken into custody. The narcotics will be destroyed.

Also in the Garm Ser district yesterday, a joint patrol found a cache consisting of a 120mm projectile, five completed victim operated improvised explosive devices, three incomplete VOIED’s, three battery packs, spools of wire, a bag of carbon rods, rubber tubing and other parts for VOIED construction.

In another operation, Afghanistan National Security Forces with ISAF partners conducted a combined operation that resulted in the detention of several men and seizure of high-value material used in the construction of improvised explosive device detonators. Yesterday near Mali Kheyl, east of Lashkar Gar, Helmand province the joint team seized two assault rifles with 15 magazines, material used to construct IED detonators, a pistol, two grenades, and 75 kg (165 lbs) of liquid opium.

Based on a tip from an Afghan civilian, an ISAF patrol found two caches containing a barrel full of mortar rounds, a tactical vest and wire, two 155mm artillery rounds, a 155mm shell and three empty casings in the Panjwa district of Kandahar province yesterday.

Yesterday evening an ISAF patrol in southern Afghanistan found 200 lbs (91 kg) of marijuana seed near Helmand River in Reg-e Khan Neshin, Helmand province. The drugs were destroyed.

No civilians were harmed in these operations.

DVIDS

A 12-man team put in a place a 36-meter long bridge across a strategic stretch of the Nahr-e-Bughra canal near the town of Shaheed in northern Nad-e-Ali. The town and canal were both seized by British and Afghan forces as part of Operation Moshtarak. Commanders took the decision to order the bridge to be put in place because more routes across the canal were needed to ensure supplies got to infantry troops on the ground. (Photo by: Cpl. Sean Killen)

The first phase of a Marine offensive in a former Taliban stronghold in Afghanistan’s Helmand province is nearing completion, the Pentagon’s No. 2 official said, March 2.

As the military operations of the roughly 15,000 NATO and Afghan forces that have been engaged in Operation Moshtarak since Feb. 13 begin to wind down, the focus in the Marja section of central Helmand is shifting from clearing out the enemy to holding the gains the operation has brought about.

“Our strategy, however, recognizes that military action is only the first step in a successful transition,” Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said today. “The Afghan government and security forces must ultimately take responsibility for security and governance.”

Lynn said U.S. Marines are working alongside Afghan and U.S. civilians to help establish government services in Marja, where the raising of the Afghan government flag at a ceremony last week symbolized the end of Taliban dominion in the region.

Speaking to members of the American Legion, Lynn described continued resistance in Marja in the form of homemade bombs known as improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, which were littered across the area ahead of the operation, according to reports.

“Our soldiers are exposed to great risks daily,” he said, “from IEDs, snipers and suicide attacks.”

U.S. and NATO military officials remarked publicly for months before the offensive on the strategic importance of the southern Afghanistan region and the goal to clear the area of Taliban fighters. The rationale was to allow low-level Taliban fighters the chance to flee, and to warn civilians of the impending attack, officials said.

Marja has been characterized as representing the first test of President Barack Obama’s strategy to add 30,000 more troops in the fight against Afghanistan-based insurgents. As the initial phase of operations comes to a close, Lynn said, Marja has emerged as an area where hope is returning.

“Because of our new strategy, and President Obama’s deployment of additional troops, Marja is one of many cities in Afghanistan that has begun to have hope,” he said. “And with Pakistan’s capture of key Taliban leaders, the strategy of targeting adversaries on both sides of the border is paying off.”

The capture in Pakistan last month of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar — the Taliban’s second-in-command to Mohammad Omar and the top operational commander — had been described previously by the White House as a “significant win.” News of the apprehension came last month amid reports that NATO and Afghan forces had yielded early progress — and some stiff resistance — against Taliban fighters ostensibly under Baradar’s command in Marja and elsewhere in central Helmand.

“We still have a long road ahead,” Lynn said, “but we are working hard with the Afghan government and with our partners to shift the momentum in our favor.”

DVIDS
Story by John Kruzel

Package about civil affairs Marines on patrol in the city of Marjah as part of Operation Moshtarak. Produced by Sgt. Jenn Calaway.

Interviewees:
• 1st Lt. Aran Walsh (US)
• Gunnery Sgt. Larry Trimmer (US)

Package about the flag-raising ceremony over the war-torn city of Marjah, giving the city and newly established government center back to the people after Operation Moshtarak. Produced by Sgt. Jennifer Calaway.

British Army Maj. Gen. Patrick Carter (GB), Commander of ISAF Regional Command [RC] South and Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson (US), MEB-A Commanding General talk to a military reporter about returning Marjah back to the Afghans free of taliban influence and intimidation and the efforts of the Marines and Afghan forces during Operation Moshtarak. Video by 1st Lt. Joe Reney

The Afghan flag-raising ceremony in the Marjah District Center, Helmand province, Afghanistan, attended by the Helmand provincial governor, the Marjah district governor and numerous members of NATO-ISAF. Video by 1st Lt. Joe Reney

Col. Randall Newman talks to a military reporter about a flag raising over the city of Marjah and what it means for his Marines and the Afghanistan people in the region.

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Jesse Underwood engages enemy forces during Operation Moshtarak in Badula Qulp, Afghanistan, Feb. 19, 2010. The International Security Assistance Force operation is an offensive mission being conducted in areas of Afghanistan prevalent in drug-trafficking and Taliban insurgency. Underwood is from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment. (DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Efren Lopez, U.S. Air Force)

Lance Cpl. Ryan Hogan, a rifleman with 3rd Platoon, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, leaps over an irrigation canal while on a patrol in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 21, 2010. The Marines and soldiers from the Afghan National Army patrolled through a residential area of the city as part of Operation Moshtarak, a push to rid Marjah of Taliban presence and intimidation. Photo by Lance Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde

A Marine with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, walks through the bazaar in Marjeh, Afghanistan, Feb. 19. Marines with Bravo Company, 1/6, have set about securing the key community centers in the city in order to allow locals to return to their homes. Photo by Lance Cpl. James W. Clark

Marines with Alpha Company, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion build a makeshift bridge over a canal in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 11. Alpha Company built numerous makeshift bridges, in order for Marines and vehicles to have a clear route to the Taliban stronghold Marjah. Photo by Lance Cpl. Walter Marino

Lance Cpl. Michael Murray, a fireteam leader with 3rd Platoon, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, gives candy to Afghan children in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 19. The Marines and soldiers from the Afghan National Army patrolled through a residential section of the city to carry out counter-insurgency operations as part of Operation Moshtarak, a push to rid Marjah of Taliban presence and intimidation. Photo by Lance Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde

Follow the links for the complete story.

Marines Near Marjah Hold First Meeting With Elders, Kill Taliban Attackers

A patrol of Marines and Sailors of Combined Anti-Armor Team 1 and Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, held their first impromptu meeting with village elders in the “Five Points” area Feb. 14, and only moments later came under hostile fire from Taliban attackers.

Five Points is a small farming community between the cities of Nawa and Marjah where a junction of major roads connects northern Marjah with eastern Helmand Province. Charlie Co. Marines and Afghan national army soldiers conducted a helicopter-borne assault to seize the area Feb. 9, ahead of the start of Operation Moshtarak in Marjah.

Marines had not yet had an opportunity to meet with village elders here due to daily engagements with Taliban forces during patrols in the area.

During the meeting, three elder Afghan men sat down to talk with Marines and said they were glad Marines and Afghan national security forces had come to the area.

“We are happy you’re here for our security,” said one of the men. “The Taliban come in our homes and make us feed them. We have barely enough food for our own families. We just want to live in peace.”

Marines with Alpha Company, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion and 1st battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, take a moment to observe their surroundings after convoying construction material for their upcoming mission in Marjah. The large plastic tubing will be used by Alpha Co. to build makeshift bridges over small canals. Photo by Lance Cpl. Walter Marino

Marine Engineers Pave Historic Path Into Marjeh

Equipped with plastic hollow tubes and water from local canals, the Marines of 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion created a path for 1st Battalion 6th Marine Regiment, into the Taliban stronghold Marjeh.

It was up to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion to build a clear route to Marjeh, and they succeeded.

The 2nd CEB brought out all their assets, including route clearance platoons, assault breacher vehicles and Alpha Company.

Alpha Co. Marines filled the canals with large, hollow, plastic tubing, providing a platform for Marines and vehicles to cross. Hallow tubes were used to allow the canal water to flow and prevent any damage to Afghan irrigation systems.

With their work done, the battalion had created a path toward the city but had not yet cleared the route of possible roadside bombs.

Marines from India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment patrol during a sandstorm in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 8. The India Company Marines and soldiers of the Afghan national army have been battling inclement weather while living in the elements of the Helmand desert for the past two weeks. Photo by Lance Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde

Marines, Afghan Soldiers Take on Harsh Weather Conditions in Helmand Province

The troops awoke from their tarp-covered fighting holes, Feb. 10, to find a blanket of frost, covering everything around them. Their boots, flak jackets, helmets and anything else exposed to the elements served as a frozen consequence of sleeping outside in the harsh desert of Helmand, province Afghanistan during the wintertime.

Frost was only one of the many challenges to the Marines and Sailors of India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, and soldiers of the Afghan national army, living outside without the protection of permanent structures.

Earlier in the week, a brutal hailstorm, without warning, pelted the Marines with large chunks of ice.

“I was standing on top of a hill and the hail started sprinkling a little bit,” recalled Cpl. Charles Hickey, a mortarman with India Co. “Then the wind picked up and it started hurting more. All of a sudden, instantly, marble-sized hail started coming at us at like 100 miles an hour!”

When the coalition troops entered a residential area of Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, the locals cautiously came out of their homes to get a closer look. Slowly, men trickled out of their dwellings to speak to the soldiers from the Afghan National Army. When they realized that the troops meant no harm, children came outside as well.

The ANA soldiers and Marines from 3rd Platoon, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, patrolled this area of Marjah, Feb. 19, to conduct counterinsurgency operations in support of Operation Moshtarak.

The troops went through the neighborhood to search for members of the Taliban, weapons caches, improvised explosive devices and anything else that could potentially be used by insurgents to harm civilians or coalition forces.

Weary of the Taliban’s oppression, the locals were relieved that the troops showed up to their neighborhood. The locals quickly warmed up to the troops when the Marines gave the children candy and the on-scene corpsman provided medical care to all the residents who were feeling sick or injured.

The locals showed their gratitude by feeding the troops.

An Afghan boy stands near Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, after his father asked them for aid in treating his son's fever Feb. 17 in Marjah, Afghanistan. Photo by Lance Cpl. James W. Clark

NATO and Afghan forces have made early progress in an ongoing offensive on a Taliban stronghold in Afghanistan, but have encountered some stiff resistance and may need another 25 to 30 days to secure the entire area, a top military official said.

Overall the multinational force has reached the “end of the beginning” of the operation in central Helmand province in southern Afghanistan, said British Maj. Gen. Nick Patrick Carter, commander of NATO forces in International Security Assistance Force’s Regional Command-South, during a briefing, Feb. 18.

“I guess it will take us another 25 to 30 days to be entirely sure that we have secured that which needs to be secured,” Carter told Pentagon reporters. “And we probably won’t know for about 120 days whether or not the population is entirely convinced by the degree of commitment that their government is showing to them.”

Despite dislocating the insurgency within 24 hours of landing in the region, Feb. 13, Carter said, fighting continues in Marja, which to date has claimed the lives of six allied troops, including four Americans. Some 15,000 NATO and Afghan forces are engaged in Operation Moshtarak, which in Pashto and Dari means “Operation Together,” including 8,000 to 10,000 ground troops.

“In Marja itself, there remains stiff resistance from the insurgence,” Carter said. “And U.S. Marines in partnership with Afghan security forces are still fighting [an] intense series of actions, in the process of clearing Marja as a whole.”

Pentagon Spokesman Geoff Morrell predicted that insurgents remaining in the area were intent on seeing the fight through.

“It is not very coordinated, but there still are holdouts who have remained in Marja and elsewhere in Helmand who have stayed to fight,” he told reporters today, “and they’re clearly going to fight to the bitter end.”

Morrell added that IEDs, the military shorthand for makeshift bombs known as “improvised explosive devices,” mines and other explosives left in the wake fleeing Taliban pose a larger threat than residual enemy fighters.

In spite of the pace of operations being slowed by enemy bombs and explosives, military officials have expressed satisfaction at the rate of progress in the central Helmand operations, which represents the first test of President Barack Obama’s plan to add 30,000 more troops in the fight against Afghanistan-based insurgents.

Carter said Operation Moshtarak would likely represent the first wave in a series of operations in a push against insurgents further east towards Kandahar.

“I think, as a result of Moshtarak, is a sense of momentum that will sweep eastwards towards Kandahar during the course of the next six months,” he said. “And my sense is that … you will see the insurgent pushed eastwards in a way that will roll him out during the course of the next 12 months or so.”

In a rare glimpse at their playbook, U.S. and NATO military officials for months have remarked publicly on the strategic importance of the southern Afghanistan region and the goal to clear the area of Taliban fighters. The rationale for such a declaration of intent was to allow low-level Taliban fighters the chance to flee, and to warn civilians of the impending attack, officials said.

Marja, like other areas of Helmand, is a source of income for Taliban fighters, who cultivate poppy to yield opium and heroin for the lucrative drug market, according to reports. The U.S. State Department cites Afghanistan as the world’s largest producer of opium, and money from the drug trade is said to help in bankrolling terrorism.

DVIDS
By John J. Kruzel

Be sure to read the second part of this story, from Reuters.

Afghan-international security forces conducted clearing operations Nov. 1 through 6 in the Chahar Dara district of the northern region of Kunduz province, killing more than 130 insurgents including eight Taliban commanders.

More than 750 Afghan and International forces took part in the operation to stop insurgent activity and weapons trafficking in the Chahar Dara district. The team also disrupted the insurgent shadow governor in Kunduz province.

The Afghan-International force provided humanitarian supplies to the affected villages after the operation. Six trucks delivered warm clothing and food, including staple items such as cooking oil, rice and beans. For photos showing Afghan soldiers handing supplies to local villages, go here.

Gov. Mohammad Omar of Kunduz province praised the accuracy of ISAF airstrikes against the insurgents and the caution used to employ them in areas void of civilian population or infrastructure.

“It is the largest operation I’ve ever seen in Kunduz,” the governor said. “You’ve got the Taliban running all over the place. Overall, I think this operation is wonderful.”

The military elements will continue to meet with village elders and ensure the area remains secure following the conclusion of the combat operations.

“People of Kunduz are very appreciative that international forces and Afghan National Security Forces are working together to better Afghanistan,” Governor Omar said. “Taliban in the area are on the run, and we have shown them that they cannot control the area.”

No ANSF or ISAF personnel were killed, and no civilians were injured during this operation.

ISAF

Kunduz province is mainly patrolled by the NATO force’s German contingent, which has failed to prevent Taliban fighters from taking control of many rural villages in recent months.

Its Char Dara district was the site of the deadliest incident involving German troops since World War Two. In early September, a German officer ordered a U.S. air strike that the Afghan government says killed 30 civilians as well as 69 fighters.

Germany acknowledged this week for the first time that civilians were killed in that strike and not all procedures were followed correctly, but says an air strike was nonetheless needed to prevent a suicide attack by fighters in stolen fuel trucks.

Reuters

More than 25 ISAF and Afghan National Security Force personnel were killed or wounded during a joint operation that involved multiple engagements over several hours yesterday in Western Afghanistan. ISAF and Afghan forces were conducting search operations for two missing U.S. Army soldiers. The soldiers went missing on Nov. 4 while attempting to recover airdropped supplies from a river in western Afghanistan.

In the course of search operations, the joint force was engaged by enemy forces. Reports indicate five ISAF service members from the United States were wounded in action. Reports also indicate four Afghan soldiers and three Afghan police were killed in action. Additionally, 15 Afghan soldiers and two Afghan police officers were reported wounded.

One Afghan civilian working with the Afghan National Army was killed and another was wounded.

“We are saddened by the loss of life and injuries sustained during this very important mission,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Jane Campbell, IJC spokesperson.

ISAF and Afghan authorities are currently investigating whether some of the casualties were caused by ISAF close air support. The operation is ongoing, and additional information will be provided when appropriate.

ISAF

Today’s Bloggers’ Roundtable was with Col. John Agoglia, Director Counterinsurgency Training Center. A large number of bloggers participated and a number of issues were discussed.

Col. Agoglia corrected the media perception that Afghanistan had never had a functioning central government. The events of thirty years. 1970-2001, gutted the traditional governing methods of the nation. The government had functions down to the district level. The governance at the village and clan / tribal level would deal with the district when local resources did not suffice.

The Soviet invasion and then the extended civil war and Taliban rule broke those connections. Current COIN doctrine is to rebuild these connections and rebuild the confidence of the people in the government. Anti-corruption efforts are key.

Agoglia was one of the planners of the original invasion in 2001. He described the original U.S. position as one where we would chase al Qaeda and the Taliban and NATO / ISAF would enable the new Afghan government. A gap developed between the government and the people, resulting in the last three years of Taliban growth. The United States has now directed efforts to governance operations and change is coming, slowly. The media seem to want immediate results and that is just not the way change will happen.

Currently, the Col.’s group trains incoming NATO and U.S. troops, and a few Afghans. The direction is to enable the troop on the ground that they have to take responsibility for rebuilding the relationship between the Afghan people and the government. COIN is not an event but a mindset.

There has been a mindset change over the last year. Resources have been made available and a common strategy developed. The challenge is working through a tribal society to enable the resources and personnel to be available in synch with the local leadership, the government and the military on the ground.

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) soldiers have launched an assault one of the last Taliban strongholds in one of the largest air operations in modern times.

Twelve Chinook helicopters, supported by 13 other aircraft including Apache and Black Hawk helicopter gunships, a Spectre gunship, Harrier jets and unmanned drones, dropped more than 350 troops from The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, into Babaji, north of Lashkar Gah, just before midnight on 19 June.

The aim of the operation, called Operation Panchai Palang, which means Panther’s Claw, was to secure a number of canal and river crossings in order to establish a permanent ISAF presence in the area, which has previously been a Taliban stronghold.

The troops were quickly followed by another company of soldiers from The Black Watch arriving by Viking armoured vehicle plus Royal Engineers and counter-Improvised Explosive Device (IED) teams who have spent the last two days building a number of check points on the main routes in and out of the area to stifle any movement by insurgents. In total more than 500 troops took part.

Over the last two days insurgents have launched a number of attacks against The Black Watch but each one has been repelled allowing the Troops to secure three main crossing points: the Lui Mandey Wadi crossing, the Nahr-e-Burgha canal and the Shamalan canal.

In addition, on 22 June, they also found 1.3 tonnes of poppy seed and a number of IED and anti-personnel mines before they could be laid.

Once completed, the check points will be manned initially by The Black Watch but within a few weeks they will be permanently be occupied by the Afghan National Police (ANP).

Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Cartwright, Commanding Officer of The Black Watch, said: “This has been a major air assault operation with a large number of helicopters by the both UK and US. The Black Watch met some resistance but we were able to establish a firm foothold in the area.”

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, spokesman for Task Force (TF) Helmand, said: “Operation Panchai Palang is a mission to clear and hold one of the few remaining Taleban strongholds. The end result will provide lasting security for the local population free from intimidation and violence by the insurgents.”

“By doing so, we show the commitment of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA), supported by ISAF, to bring governance to local people, and give them the freedom and capacity to vote in the forthcoming presidential elections in August. Their lives will be measurably improved.”

“While securing the area the troops have come across 1.3 tonnes of poppy seed and many components of IEDs demonstrating the nexus between the insurgency and opium production which brings so much misery to the streets of the UK. They have also killed a number of insurgents who have attacked ISAF and ANSF troops.”

“This operation has been achieved in many ways due to the arrival of extra US troops into the south of Helmand. The increase has provided ISAF with a massive boost in capability which we believe will significantly change the balance in the province.”

“The UK has routinely operated with the US in Helmand since spring 2007 when the Special Purpose Marine Air to Ground Task Force – Afghanistan (SPMAGTF-A) first arrived. The arrival of Marine Expeditionary Brigade – Afghanistan into southern and western Helmand is a continuation of that relationship.”

This is the latest of a number of operations in the last few months where UK and ISAF forces have taken and held ground in Helmand.

Operation Zafar, a week-long operation which began on 27 April, saw more than 200 Afghan Army and Police, supported by UK troops from 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) and 2nd Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles, push the Taliban out of several villages around Basharan, near to the provincial capital of Helmand, Lashkar Gah. The Afghan Army cleared the enemy held areas and policemen secured the villages and reassured the local population.

By the end of the week, groups of UK stabilisation teams were conducting meetings with the local elders who have been under the shadow of the Taliban for some time, offering a range of ways to help the villagers, from refurbishing schools to improving healthcare provision.

Then in a four day operation starting on 19 May, Operation Zafar 2, Troops from The Black Watch secured an area, allowing time for a police check point to be built and manned for use by the Afghan Police on a main route into Lashkar Gah. By the end of the third day, the ANP had taken up position in the checkpoint.

Then, starting in the early hours of 29 May, troops from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, pushed the Taliban out of an enemy stronghold 6km to the south of Musa Qal’eh, around the village of Yatimchay. The local population has been allowed to return to their homes and re-establish farming in the area.

The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS), took over as the Regional Battle Group (South) on April 10. 3 SCOTS took over from 42 Commando Royal Marines as the battalion responsible for supporting a variety of operations across the whole of southern Afghanistan, not just those of the main UK Task Force in Helmand province.

The battalion will be based within Camp Roberts at Kandahar Airfield and will work directly to the Dutch-led divisional headquarters known as Regional Command (South), part of the NATO International Security Assistance Force.

Kandahar is home to the forces of seven nationalities within the ISAF coalition and contains a huge array of supporting equipment.

ISAF

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

Afghan and coalition forces killed 11 militants, detained suspected militants, and netted drugs and weapons in operations over the past week in Afghanistan, military officials reported.

In Lowgar province’s Baraki District today, Afghan and coalition forces conducted a raid to find and detain a suspected Taliban weapons smuggler. The suspect is believed to be tied to a commander responsible for attacks on Afghan civilians.

During a compound search, the forces asked the building occupants to leave. The occupants of one of the compounds failed to comply. The forces entered the compound and saw several men hiding behind women. The forces moved the women to a safe area and detained six suspected militants. They also found an explosive device, which they safely removed. The forces protected 25 women and 12 children during the operation.

Also today, Afghan and coalition forces conducted an assault on two compounds to disrupt the Haqqani terrorist network in Paktia province’s Zadran District, south of Kabul. The combined force searched the compounds. Two suspected militants were detained with no shots fired. The forces protected four women and eight children during the operation.

In operations yesterday:

– In Kandahar province’s Maywan District, west of Kandahar, Afghan special operations and coalition forces conducted an operation to disrupt a foreign fighter and weapons smuggling network in western Kandahar. Upon arrival, the forces asked noncombatants to leave the buildings. The forces killed five militants who maneuvered on them during the operation. The forces also detained three suspected militants and protected 19 women and 38 children during the operation.

– Afghan and coalition forces conducted a raid to disrupt the Haqqani terrorist network in Khowst province. The forces detained four suspects and seized an AK-47 assault rifle, a pistol and 15,000 Pakistan ruppe, which is about $200. Five women and 10 children were protected during the operation.

In March 14 operations:

– Afghan and coalition forces conducted operations against militants suspected of making bombs in Lowgar province, southwest of Kabul. The forces received information that the militants were staying on a compound in Charkh District. Upon arrival, the forces asked noncombatants to leave the area. Armed militants engaged the forces. Five enemy combatants were killed in the firefight. The forces also seized and destroyed multiple weapons and grenades. Eight women and nine children were protected during the operation.

– In Kandahar province, west of Kandahar, Afghan special operations forces and coalition forces conducted a raid on a compound used as a storage area and staging site for Taliban operations against coalition forces in Zhari and Panjwayi Districts. Led by a civilian’s tip, the combined force arrived at the targeted compound and encountered and killed an armed enemy combatant. The forces also detained 10 suspected militants and destroyed 176 pounds of a potentially explosive material used in the production of homemade bombs. The forces protected 19 women and 29 children during the operation.

– Afghan army commandos, aided by coalition forces, netted drugs and weapons during a search of an enemy compound in Helmand province’s Nawa District. The commandos seized 20 pounds of black tar heroin in a drug lab, as well as an AK-47 with magazines. Following the search, the villagers told the commandos that the Taliban had been demanding money, food and water from them.

– In Oruzgan province’s Tarin Kowt District, Afghan national police, aided by coalition forces, found and destroyed an improvised explosive device cache that contained five large containers of homemade explosives and more than 10 107 mm rockets. Later that day, one of the ANP vehicles struck an improvised explosive device. The police officers inside the vehicle sustained minor injuries and were able to continue their mission. No other injuries were reported.

In March 11 operations:

– Afghan national police arrested two men suspected of attempting to assassinate ANP officers in Paktia province’s Chamkani District. The militants were targeting police officers in response to the arrest of one of their comrades.

– Also in Chamkani District, a man brought a family member to the national police, informing them that a relative of his had been studying in Pakistan and was prepared to be a suicide bomber. The family member told the ANP he wanted to prevent further bloodshed in the country.

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Maj. Adrian Oldfield is surrounded by children during a visit to the Shahid Abdul Ahad Karzai Orphanage Center on March 12, when International Security Assistance Force troops delivered a donation of money and supplies on behalf of ISAF personnel.

Troops deployed to International Security Assistance Force Regional Command South visited the Shahid Abdul Ahad Karzai Orphanage Center on March 12 to donate money raised through various fundraising events by personnel working at RC South Headquarters.

“We wanted to raise money for local charities, especially those that are dedicated to looking after children and to helping their communities,” said British Maj. Adrian Oldfield.

The first charity was the Khandahar City based Waden Drug Addiction Treatment Center, which is dedicated to helping people of all ages overcome heroin addiction. The second charity to receive funds was the orphanage. A total of $1,100 was raised for the orphanage (approximately 58,000 Afghani). While visiting the orphanage, ISAF personnel also distributed school supplies, clothing and soft toys to the children.

Dutch Capt. Ellen De Jonge greets children in the playground during a visit to the Shahid Abdul Ahad Karzai Orphanage Center on March 12, when International Security Assistance Force troops delivered a donation of money and supplies on behalf of ISAF personnel.

Principal Mohammad Zai welcomed ISAF personnel as they arrived at the orphanage. According to Oldfield, the visit “went really well and the children seemed happy with the gift.”

“We don’t have much to give to the children and rely on donations like this,” Zai said. “Myself and the children hope that more donations from ISAF will come again in the future.”

DVIDS

During a routine Close Combat Air escort mission, two ISAF aircraft identified eight insurgents with weapons moving into fighting positions this morning [December 30 2008] in eastern Afghanistan. The aircraft engaged the insurgents, killing six.

Following the engagement, ISAF received allegations that the operation resulted in minor injuries to civilians. ISAF has clear evidence that the aircraft engaged legitimate enemy insurgents.

An initial assessment by the Sub-District Governor of the area is that the allegations are unfounded.

The Combined Joint Task Force will continue to follow up with leaders in the local area.

ISAF

ISAF is aware of an incident that took place in the area of Nad-i-Ali, Helmand province this morning where ISAF forces, operating in support of an ANA operation, came under heavy and sustained fire from a clearly identified compound.

After sustained contact from the enemy from numerous positions, and having exhausted all other means of extracting themselves from the area, they called for close air support.

Two targeted air strikes were carried out as a last resort to enable the joint patrol to leave the area safely.

An investigation is ongoing. ISAF can confirm that 2 people were killed and 6 others injured. These individuals were brought to an ISAF base in Nad-i-Ali after the incident. The cause and status of these casualties has yet to be established and is subject to investigation.

After initial medical treatment, the 4 most seriously injured casualties were taken to the ISAF hospital at Camp Bastion. The 2 others remained at the ISAF base. Of the 4 taken to the ISAF hospital, 2 have since been detained. The 2 less seriously injured casualties, who stayed at the ISAF base in Nad-i-Ali, have also been detained.

Spokesman for Governor Ghulab Mangal, Daoud Ahmadi, said: “Taliban fighters have always ruthlessly used religious places, public buildings and civilian houses as their bases, which causes civilian casualties.

“Their actions are contrary to Islamic rules and Afghan behaviour.”

ISAF

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