BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Coalition forces conducted two operations to disrupt Taliban leadership networks in Helmand Province Feb. 23.
Coalition forces conducted a search of compounds in the Kajaki District targeting a Taliban leader responsible for conducting anti-government operations in the area. A number of insurgents were killed during the two operations when they employed small arms and hand-grenades against Coalition forces.
“While Coalition forces conducted a search of the building during one operation, armed assailants who were barricaded in separate rooms, engaged Coalition forces with small-arms fire and hand grenades. The assailants were killed when Coalition forces responded in self-defense,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Coalition forces spokesman. “A search of the site after the exchange revealed a dead female and child in one of the rooms the assailants used to engage Coalition forces.”
“We would like to express our sincerest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of the deceased woman and child,” said Belcher. “It is a deplorable, yet common, tactic of insurgents to place innocent women and children in harm’s way.”
Two individuals, suspected to have ties to Taliban insurgents, were detained. The individuals will be questioned on their involvement in Taliban operations as well as other extremist activities. AK-47s and ammunition were also recovered and destroyed to prevent their use by extremist forces.