3504. SUR LE FRONT AFGHAN

ISAF

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE FORCE AFGHANISTAN

OTAN- NATO

APR. 30: AFGHAN-ISAF OPERATIONS IN HELMAND, KANDAHAR, BADGHIS

http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/apr.-30-afghan-isaf-operations-in-helmand-kandahar-badghis.html

4/29/10 ISAF Public Affairs Office

NEWS RELEASE

ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan

2010-04-CA-096

For Immediate Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (April 30) - A Taliban improvised explosive device (IED) facilitator and two other militants were captured by an Afghan-international security force in Kandahar Province last night.

The combined force searched a compound in northwest Kandahar City after intelligence information indicated insurgent activity. During the search the combined force captured the Taliban IED facilitator responsible for delivering IED components to other local militant networks and securing vehicle-borne IEDs. Two other insurgents were also detained.

In the Kandahar City district of Kandahar Province yesterday, ISAF forces discovered a weapons cache containing six 102mm artillery shells, six mortars and a rocket-propelled grenade. The cache was destroyed.

While patrolling in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand Province yesterday, ISAF forces saw a yellow jug protruding from the ground, which turned out to be a victim operated IED with 40 pounds of homemade explosives. The IED was destroyed.

An ISAF patrol met with Afghan National Police in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar Province yesterday to retrieve 42 mines, two receiver/transmitters, and a bag full of miscellaneous IED electronics secured at the ANP checkpoint. The mines were in various stages of disrepair. The materials were destroyed.

In the Now Zad district of Helmand yesterday, an ISAF patrol found a rocket and some homemade explosives in an open field. The materials were destroyed.

In the Bala Morghab area of Badghis Province, an Afghan civilian turned in an anti-tank mine to an ISAF patrol. The mine was destroyed.

No shots were fired and no Afghan citizens were harmed during these operations.

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APR. 29: AFGHAN-ISAF OPERATIONS IN EASTERN, SOUTHERN, NORTHERN AFGHANISTAN

http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/apr.-29-afghan-isaf-operations-in-eastern-southern-northern-afghanistan.html

4/29/10 ISAF Public Affairs Office

NEWS RELEASE

ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan

2010-04-CA-091

For Immediate Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (April 29) - Two Haqqani facilitators and two other militants were captured by an Afghan-international security force in Khost Province this morning.

A combined force searched a series of compounds near the village of Kurru, in the Terayzai district after intelligence information indicated militant activity. During the search the joint force captured the Haqqani facilitators responsible for the movement of weapons to fighters and improvised explosive device (IED) emplacements. One facilitator is involved in funding attacks on collation forces. Two other insurgents were also captured.

The combined force found shotguns, an automatic rifle and a grenade during the search.

No shots were fired and no one was harmed during the operation.

In Nimroz this morning, a combined security force searched a compound outside of Shesh Aveh, in the Khash Rod district, after intelligence information indicated insurgent activity. During the search the security force detained a few suspected insurgents for further questioning. No shots were fired and no Afghan citizens were harmed during the operation.

In Kunduz last night, an Afghan-international security force went to a compound near Durman, in the Ghor Tepa district, after intelligence information indicated militant activity. As the assault force approached the compound one insurgent left and attempted to maneuver around the security team. After the combined force told him to surrender the insurgent pulled out a concealed pistol and was shot and killed.

At the compound the security force detained several suspected insurgents for further questioning.

Taliban commanders continually seek to disrupt legitimate governance and establish strongholds to facilitate the movement of fighters, explosives and weapons into the country.

In Kandahar yesterday, a joint security force went to an area north of Khaneh Gerdab, in the Arghandab district, after intelligence information indicated insurgent activity and captured a Taliban sub-commander. The Taliban leader is known to direct the production, strategy, tactical coordination and emplacement of IEDs and ambushes against coalition forces in the area. Several other suspected insurgents were also detained for further questioning.

No shots were fired and no Afghan citizens were harmed during the operation.

In the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand Province yesterday, a joint patrol received a tip about a weapons cache in a mosque. ISAF patrols cordoned off the area while Afghan National Army (ANA) and National Directorate of Security (NDS) searched the mosque where they found 32 82mm mortar rounds, six grenades, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, a machinegun, an AK-47 rifle, 50 blasting caps, hundreds of rounds of small-arms ammunition, 20 feet of detonation cord and 11 mine fuses. The cache was moved to a safe location and destroyed.

Also in the Nad-e Ali district yesterday, a joint patrol found a grenade, a G-3 rifle, four magazines, 80 rounds .308mm and miscellaneous IED-making materials buried along a compound wall. The items were confiscated.

While patrolling in the Musa Qalah district of Helmand Province, ISAF forces received a tip from an Afghan citizen about a cache in a local compound. After a search of the compound they found three 155mm artillery shells, a large number of small-arms shell casings, syringes and medical supplies buried with empty bags of ammonium nitrogen fertilizer. The materials were confiscated.

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AFGHAN SOLDIER HOLDS RECORD FOR FINDING IEDS

http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/afghan-soldier-holds-record-for-finding-ieds.html

4/30/10 ISAF Public Affairs Office

ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan

2010-04-M-098

Feature News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (April 30) - An Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier in Helmand Province holds the record for finding the most improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan.

Ajab Han, a sergeant in the ANA working with British troops from the 1st battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland at a patrol base in the Sangin valley, has found 177 IEDs during his three years in Helmand.

"I know where they put them now," says Sergeant Ajab. "It helps to know the terrain. I can also think like the insurgents, stay one step ahead of them, and keep my soldiers, and ISAF soldiers safe."

While detecting equipment is very useful, he says just staying alert can be equally effective.

"I can just see them," he says. "There might be a tell-tale trace, or something just not quite right, or a piece of wire or wood showing, and that is when I know I have found another one. IEDs often come in many parts so we have to find all the bits in the ground." His successes are etched on a beam on a watchtower next to the place where he sleeps, along with his army number and the description "IED TEAM Sangin Special Force," written in English.

When asked if British soldiers are getting better at finding IEDs too he smiles and nods his head, "Yes, they are very good. But they are still very happy that we are here to help them."

The allied forces have awarded Ajab for his efforts with a certificate which he prizes. "I always have it on me," he said. "They know how much I am doing for them. And I am very pleased they are here, helping Afghanistan, too."

Capt. Will Wright, the platoon commander from 1 Scots mentoring team, working alongside Sergeant Ajab and his soldiers said, "Patrolling with the ANA gives us such an advantage. They see things we sometimes don't, they are brave beyond words, and we learn so much from them every day. Sergeant Ajab's skills are definitely much valued within this patrol base."

Sergeant Ajab is due to end his tour with the ANA in the next few months, but he says he is not ready to go home just yet.

"Now I have so much information about IEDs I want to be a teacher. I want to share my experience with the new soldiers joining the army. I want to teach them all they need to stay safe."

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ISAF, ANSF RESPOND TO ATTACK IN MUSA QALEH

http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/isaf-ansf-respond-to-attack-in-musa-qaleh.html

4/29/10 ISAF Public Affairs Office

Transfer of Authority in Helmand Province »

NEWS RELEASE

ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan

2010-04-CA-097

For Immediate Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (April 30) - ISAF and Afghan National Security Forces responded to an attack in the Musa Qaleh bazaar, Helmand Province, today.

Initial reports indicate eight Afghan citizens were wounded in an improvised explosive device strike that occurred as the bazaar was opening.

The troops that responded provided medical care to the injured civilians. The wounded were evacuated to a medical facility for additional treatment.

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ISAF CASUALTY

http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/isaf-casualty-53.html

NEWS RELEASE

ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan

2010-04-CA-095

For Immediate Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (April 29) - An ISAF servicemember died as a result of an IED strike in southern Afghanistan today.

It is ISAF policy to defer identification procedures for casualties to the relevant national authorities.

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JOINT PATROL FINDS NINE IEDS IN AND NEAR KANDAHAR SCHOOL

http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/joint-patrol-finds-nine-ieds-in-and-near-kandahar-school.html

4/29/10 ISAF Public Affairs Office

Behind the Lens: Combat Camera Afghanistan »

NEWS RELEASE

ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan

2010-04-CA-094

For Immediate Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (April 29) - An Afghan-international security force recently captured a Taliban cell leader who had emplaced IEDs in and around an Afghan children's school in Kandahar.

The joint force had received intelligence that a Taliban IED cell was operating around Kuhak, in Kandahar Province. During the subsequent operation the security force captured the Taliban IED leader and several other cell members. A search of the area uncovered command detonation wires in a field across the road from the Kuhak children's school. The joint patrol followed the command wires and discovered nine buried IEDs.

Four of the IEDs were buried on the side of the road running beside Kuhak school. Two more of the IEDs were buried outside the gate of the school. Three IEDs were uncovered in the school courtyard, where the students congregate.

ISAF explosive experts said if the IEDs had been detonated while the school was in session numerous casualties would likely have occurred. The roadside IEDs were determined to be too dangerous to move and were blown in place creating large craters. The IEDs immediately around the school and in the student courtyard were dug up and safely removed by ISAF forces.
U.N. reports have noted that a vast majority of civilian casualties are the result of insurgent IEDs. The motivation for the Taliban's decision to emplace IEDs in and around an Afghan children's school remains unclear.

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ISAF BOMB DISPOSAL TEAM CLEARS AFGHAN HIGHWAY

http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/isaf-bomb-disposal-team-clears-afghan-highway.html

4/29/10 ISAF Public Affairs Office

Transfer of Authority in Helmand Province »

ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan

2010-04-CA-092

Feature News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (April 29) - ISAF bomb disposal experts from the Joint Force Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) Taskforce have cleared the road to the market town of Shahzad in southwest Helmand. The road was littered with improvised explosive devices and surrounded by insurgent positions, and was previously impassable for the local population in an area controlled by the Taliban until Operation Moshtarak.

The task took five weeks to complete, with the team painstakingly clearing improvised explosive devices from five and a half kilometres of ground. At each stage, soldiers of Fire Support Company, 1st Battalion the Royal Welsh cleared insurgents from compounds at the sides of the road to provide a circle of protection so the C-IED teams could continue their task.

"My team and I were tasked to clear IEDs from the area," said Ammunition Technical Officer (ATO), Capt. Ciaron Dyer who commanded the C-IED team. "We were working alongside the Royal Engineer Search Team who was providing a high assurance search of the road so we could then clear any devices and make the route clear for future traffic."

Like many of the IEDs in Helmand, the devices were created from homemade explosives, ranging in size from 15-25 kilograms. They were then buried in the road to indiscriminately target ISAF forces and civilians.

Lance Corporal Kofi Dzando, a Territorial Army soldier from London who is currently attached to the bomb disposal team said, "As an infantry escort, my job is to go there and make sure the guy who clears the device is safe. It is my job to ensure any threat is eliminated and support the Number 2, who is the assistant to the boss, helping him with his equipment."

"The hardest part is when the boss goes out there to do his job," he said. "We don't know what to expect, apart from the fact that we know there is a device down there. It's a hard time because anything can happen at any point."

As Captain Dyer and his team move on to other tasks, members of Fire Support Company, 1st Battalion the Royal Welsh continue to provide security to the local population around the area, and ensure the road remains open.

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AFGHAN-ISAF OPERATION IN NANGARHAR

http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/afghan-isaf-operations-in-nangarhar.html

4/27/10 ISAF Public Affairs Office

NEWS RELEASE

ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan

2010-04-CA-090

For Immediate Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (April 29) - An Afghan-international security force killed one armed individual while pursuing a Taliban facilitator in Nangarhar last night.

The combined force went to a compound near Nazrabad, in the Surkh Rod district, after intelligence information indicated militant activity. During the operation an individual with a weapon was observed adjacent to one of the buildings. The security force repeatedly attempted to get the individual to lower his weapon by using hand signals, and verbal commands through their Afghan interpreter. The individual ignored the repeated commands, raised his weapon and aimed at the combined force, and then was shot and killed.

ISAF and ANSF will perform a joint assessment to review this operation.

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APR. 28: AFGHAN-ISAF OPERATIONS IN HELMAND, GHAZNI, BADGHIS

http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/apr.-28-afghan-isaf-operations-in-helmand-ghazni-badghis.html

4/27/10 ISAF Public Affairs Office

NEWS RELEASE

ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan

2010-04-CA-087

For Immediate Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (April 28) - Several suspected insurgents were detained by an Afghan-international security force while pursuing a Taliban commander in Helmand last night.

The combined force went to two compounds in a rural area west of Marjah after intelligence information indicated militant activity. During a search of the compounds the security force detained the suspected insurgents for further questioning.

The search of the two compounds also uncovered multiple rifles, a shotgun and approximately 90 kilograms (200 pounds) of heroin.

Also in Helmand last night, a combined force searched a compound in a rural area north of Marjah after intelligence information indicated insurgent activity. During the search the joint force captured a Taliban leader, believed to be responsible for a local intimidation campaign and ordering attacks on coalition forces. Several other suspected insurgents we also detained.

The security force also found more than 90 kg (200 pounds) of heroin.

The narcotic trade funds and supports the insurgency and constitutes a direct threat to Afghanistan.

In Ghazni last night, an Afghan-international security force searched a compound in the village of Bagi Kheyl, in the Qarah Bagh district, after intelligence information indicated insurgent activity. During the search the security force detained a couple of suspected insurgents for further questioning.

In the Now Zad district of Helmand yesterday, a joint patrol searched a compound after being fired upon. The joint patrol found 300-400 spent small-arms casings and four 6-9 kg (15-20 lb) bags of opium. A few suspected insurgents were detained for questioning.

In the Garm Ser district of Helmand yesterday, an Afghan-international patrol found 36 kg (80 lbs) of ammonium nitrate in an abandoned building. The cache was destroyed.

In the Murgab district of Badghis yesterday, an ISAF patrol found an IED consisting of 30 40mm grenades. The device was destroyed. Afghan National Security Forces in Kabul yesterday found four 107mm rockets. Two rockets and air defense ammunition were also found in Kabul yesterday by workers digging the foundation for a new mosque. Kabul City Police found a cache containing 61 rocket-propelled grenades Monday. These finds show a growing proficiency among ANSF forces to secure Afghanistan.

No shots were fired and no Afghan citizens were harmed during these operations.

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ISAF CASUALTY

http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/isaf-casualty-52.html

NEWS RELEASE

ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan

2010-04-CA-089

For Immediate Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (April 28) - An ISAF servicemember died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan today.

It is ISAF policy to defer identification procedures for casualties to the relevant national authorities.

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JOINT PATROL FINDS 2,090 KG OF OPIUM IN HELMAND PROVINCE

http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/joint-patrol-finds-2-090-kg-of-opium-in-helmand-province.html

4/27/10 ISAF Public Affairs Office

NEWS RELEASE

ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan

2010-04-CA-088

For Immediate Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (April 28) - An Afghan-international patrol confiscated a large drug cache in the Reg-e Khan Heshin district of Helmand Province today.

As the joint patrol approached several moving vehicles, the drivers attempted to flee. One of the vehicles became stuck in the sand and was secured by Afghan Border Police (ABP) members of the patrol. The patrol then discovered the vehicle contained 2,090 kilograms (4,600 lbs) of raw opium and approximately 11 kg (24 lbs) of a substance believed to be heroin. A satellite phone and a two-way radio were also recovered.

Two men were detained by the ABP for possessing the drugs. No shots were fired and no one was injured.

The narcotics trade directly funds insurgents, and the Afghan government and ABP are actively engaged in the interdiction of narcotics flow as well as enforcing Afghan laws.

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APR. 27: AFGHAN-ISAF OPERATIONS IN EASTERN, SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN

http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/apr.-27.html

4/27/10 ISAF Public Affairs Office

NEWS RELEASE

ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan

2010-04-CA-083
For Immediate Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (April 27) - In the Arghandab district of Kandahar this morning, an ISAF patrol found an improvised explosive device (IED) near the Kuhak school. An explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team was attempting to disarm the device when it exploded. No one was hurt.

In the Musa Qalah district of Helmand Province yesterday, a joint patrol received information from local Afghans about possible insurgent activity in a compound in the area. ISAF forces cordoned off the compound while Afghan National Police (ANP) members went inside to investigate. As ANP members entered the compound, an Afghan civilian told the patrol that there was an Afghan male in the next room dressed in a burka. The individual was found with approximately 25 rounds of small-arms ammunition and was detained.

In the Sabari district of Khost yesterday, an Afghan-international security force saw two individuals emplacing an IED. The patrol was able to capture one of the men and destroy the IED.

While patrolling in the Now Zad district of Helmand Province yesterday, a joint patrol found five 60mm recoilless rifle warheads inside a cave. The cache was destroyed.

An Afghan patrol found an IED in the Beshud district of Helmand yesterday. The device consisted of two anti-tank mines. The device was destroyed by an EOD team.

In the Qalat district of Zabul Province yesterday, an Afghan-international patrol found three remote-controlled IEDs. The ANP detained five people for questioning near the find. The IEDs were destroyed by an EOD team.

In the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand yesterday, a joint patrol found a cache containing two rocket-propelled grenades. The cache was destroyed. No Afghan civilians were harmed during these operations.

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ISAF CASUALTY

http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/isaf-casualty-51.html

NEWS RELEASE

ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan

2010-04-CA-084

For Immediate Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (April 27) - An ISAF servicemember died as a result of a small-arms attack in eastern Afghanistan today.

It is ISAF policy to defer identification procedures for casualties to the relevant national authorities.