| ||
| Related Sites: U.S. Forces Afghanistan |
| Written by Headquarters United States Forces Afghanistan | |
| Tuesday, 04 November 2008 | |
|
KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces Sunday killed two militants in Maywand district, Kandahar province. ANSF and Coalition forces were conducting a search operation on a known insurgent compound when they were engaged by militants using small-arms fire. The combined forces responded with small-arms fire, killing two militants. After the engagement, the combined forces discovered an improvised explosive device-making facility containing a cache of explosives, 10 pounds of heroin, four pounds of opium, a small weapons cache and one torture device. The weapons cache’s contents were confiscated. The drugs and explosives were destroyed in. No ANSF, Coalition forces or civilian casualties have been reported. |
Fifteen militants detained, one killed by Afghan and Coalition forces
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – One armed militant was killed and fifteen suspected militants were detained during Coalition and combined operations with Afghan National Army Soldiers, targeting the Haqqani and Taliban terrorist networks in Khost and Ghazni, Sunday. In Khost, Afghan and Coalition forces killed one armed terrorist and detained seven suspected terrorists during an Operation targeting a known sub-commander in the Haqqani terrorist network. The targeted militant is believed to assist with the movement of foreign terrorist in Khost. After surrounding the target location, Afghan and Coalition forces called for the occupants of the building to surrender. Armed militants, hiding inside the building, engaged the force with small-arms fire. As the force attempted to assault the building it was determined the militants were using innocent women and children as human shields. Desiring to safeguard the innocent, Afghan and Coalition forces called for the women and children to evacuate the compound immediately. Once the women and children were safe, Afghan forces assaulted and conducted a search of the compound. One armed militant was killed during the operation, seven suspected militants were detained. In Nadar Shahkot, Coalition forces detained five suspected militants assessed to have links to the Haqqani terrorist network. The targeted militant is suspected to having assisted foreign fighter movement into the Khost region. Coalition forces, operating in Andar, searched a compound targeting a Taliban commander suspected of coordinating and directing improvised explosive device attacks-intended to injure and kill innocent civilians and Coalition forces as well as destabilize the region. Intelligence reports suggest he also finances militant operations and is connected to foreign terrorist facilitator networks. A search of the compound revealed large amounts of U.S., Pakistan and Afghan currency. Three suspected militants were detained without incident and coalition forces confiscated over $2,400 in U.S. currency.
Written by Headquarters United States Forces Afghanistan
Tuesday, 04 November 2008
ISAF soldier killed in southern Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan - An ISAF soldier was killed on 4 November in southern Afghanistan when a patrol came under attack.
“Our deepest sympathies are with the soldier's family and friends as they deal with their loss,” said Brigadier General Richard Blanchette, ISAF spokesperson. “This soldier died honourably, helping bring security to Afghanistan.”
It is ISAF policy to not release the nationality of any casualty prior to the relevant national authority doing so.
Next of kin have been notified.
ISAF provides assistance to refugee camp
Commander Greg Harris talks with a young patient of the burns ward at the Indira Ghandi Institute of the Child, the sole hospital in Afghanistan that specializes in pediatric care.
KABUL, Afghanistan - Although it was an early morning, members of ISAF’s Volunteer Community Relations and Resources’ appeared in high spirits as they geared up for a goods distribution mission at the Indira Ghandi Institute of the Child, Afghanistan’s only functioning pediatric hospital.
The group is made up of servicemembers and civilians of the many different nations that work for the International Assistance Security Force headquarters in Kabul.
Among the vistors was U.S. Navy Lieutenant Jessica Gandy, has completed multiple visits with the group in the six months she has been deployed to Afghanistan.
“I really wanted each person to look each child in the eyes and show them love and hope and that they were cared about. Visits like this always pull on my heartstrings. I’ve been at this hospital quite a few times, but it’s always nice to see the children light up; and we don’t have to speak Dari or Pashtu because love is universal.”
The visit also served as a learning experience for those members of the group who had yet to visit the hospital like Army Sergeant Carla Hockaday, who has been an active member of the VCRR since her arrival to ISAF in September.
“Knowing the country and knowing how the people live, I didn’t expect much, but I was impressed by the facility and how they are able to work with what little they have,” she said. “It was a joy playing with the kids and it really shows us how blessed we are – speaking from an American point of view – and how much we take advantage of what we have.”
Gandy said she plans to have a weekly mission with VCRR to include more hospital visits as well as visits to different schools.
The children’s hospital distribution followed last week’s visit to the hospital by Air Force Chaplain Eric Whitmore, who had an introductory meeting with hospital director Dr. Al-haj Khalilullah.
ISAF provides assistance to refugee camp
More than 22 pallets of donations from around the world were unpacked from trucks to be handed out to the people. Barek Aub is largest refugee camp in the vicinity of Kabul, and is home to more than 600 families and 3000 displaced individuals.
KABUL, Afghanistan - Servicemembers and civilian volunteers from the International Security Assistance Force partnered with non-governmental organization Sozo International to bring help and hope to refugees at Barek Aub, a camp for displaced individuals and families located outside Bagram, Afghanistan, 31 October.
Seventy ISAF volunteers in 10 vehicles made the trip to unload 22 pallets of donations from around the world. Socks and shoes, blankets, warm winter jackets, soccer balls, notebooks and crayons were just a few of the items passed out.
“There was a big difference between this and the last refugee camp I went to,” said Master Sergeant Alex Czodel of the Romanian Army. “This was worse. They are in the open, far away from the city. There are a lot of things to be done here, a lot of work to do, a lot of help needed.”
“We brought thirty boxes from the Army of [the Former Yugoslav Republic of] Macedonia,” said Army Captain Valil Matavsqi, a citizen of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. “Everything was new and approved by our government. We brought them from [the Former Yugoslav Republic of] Macedonia by plane, and we divided it to all the people here.”
One thousand family packs made from U.S. donations were carefully organized by Sozo International, were also a huge part of the hand out to Barek Aub’s refugees. Additionally, two hundred and sixty-seven needy families received a rucksack full of necessities courtesy of the Norwegian Army.
“I think it’s very apparent that the non-governmental organizations and the Afghan government are working to help this particular group. They have the school, the clinic, they have everything right there,” said Staff Sergeant Matthew Morgan of the U.S. Marines. “It was a lot like a little town, a community, but you could definitely see they were in need of things.”
The Barek Aub refugee camp is the largest in the vicinity of Afghanistan’s capital city, Kabul, housing 600 families and 3,000 displaced individuals.
Stumble It!
