PRESS RELEASE | Dec. 10, 2007
Several militants killed, 10 detained; two wounded civilians found after Helmand operations
By Public Affairs COMBINED JOINT TASK FORCE- 82 PAO, CJTF 82 Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Dec. 29, 2007) – Afghan and Coalition forces conducted an operation Sunday targeting insurgent networks in Helmand Province in which several militants were killed, 10 other militants were detained, and two civilians were wounded.

The combined force of Afghan and Coalition members conducted a search of compounds in the Musa Qaleh district targeting people associated with an insurgent weapons facilitator believed to have been killed in an earlier Coalition forces’ precision strike in the area.

The combined force detained 10 people suspected of having links to insurgent weapons facilitation networks. The detainees will be questioned regarding their involvement in weapons facilitation operations as well as other extremist activities.

Afghan and Coalition forces came under small-arms fire from several militants on one of the compounds while conducting their search of the area. Using a combination of accurate, conventional munitions and small-arms, the combined force returned fire, killing the militants.

Afghan and Coalition forces also performed an assessment of the precision munitions strike, finding several deceased militants at the impact site. Two teen-aged males were also found during the assessment who had sustained injuries during the course of the precision munitions strike.

Afghan and Coalition forces transported the wounded boys to a medical facility for treatment.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the wounded for a speedy recovery,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokesman. “Afghan and Coalition forces make every effort to prevent injuries or deaths to civilians not taking part in hostilities. It is unfortunate when militant forces put innocent civilians at risk by conducting extremist operations in their midst.”