PRESS RELEASE | Feb. 26, 2009
Afghan National Army, Coalition Forces kill 10 militants in Oruzgan
By None , U.S. Forces – Afghanistan

Joint Press Release

February 25, 2009

Release Number: 20092502-01

Afghan National Army, Coalition Forces kill 10 militants in Oruzgan

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan National Army soldiers assisted by Coalition Forces killed 10 militants in the Shaheed Hasas District, Oruzgan Province, approximately 160 km north of Kandahar Feb. 24.

The combined elements were conducting a routine patrol when they came under small-arms, mortar and rocket-propelled grenade fire from an unknown number of militants. The friendly forces returned fire, killing one militant. After the combined force assured there were no non-combatants in the area, a precision strike was called. Nine militants were killed, and one fortified fighting position was destroyed during the strike.

Prior to the engagement, the combined elements conducted a Medical and Dental Civil Action Program and a key leader engagement in a nearby village. While securing the area prior to the MEDCAP, ANA soldiers discovered a weapons cache containing improvised explosive device-making materials and machine gun ammunition. The munitions were confiscated by the ANA.

No ANA, Coalition Forces or non-combatants were injured.

“The Afghan National Army continues to successfully lead operations that are helping to bring security to Afghanistan,” said the Afghan Ministry of Defense Chief Spokesman, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Zahir Azimi. “The ANA will continue to rid the militants, who continue to create havoc and prevent progress.”?

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Contact information:

Ministry of Defense, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,?Press office telephone: 93 (0) 20 210 2742

US Forces Afghanistan Public Affairs, office telephone: 93 (0) 799 51 2919