BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Nearly a dozen militants were killed and two suspected militants detained March 11 during a Coalition forces operation to degrade Taliban support networks in Helmand Province.
Coalition forces performed a search of compounds in the Garmsir District targeting Taliban foreign fighter and weapons facilitation operations.
During the course of the operation, Coalition forces came under small-arms fire from several militants.
“While conducting a search of the compound, militants [including one barricaded in a building] engaged Coalition forces with small-arms,” said Army Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman, a Coalition forces spokesperson. “The militants were killed by return fire from Coalition forces responding in self-defense.”
A post-hostilities assessment revealed multiple opium processing rooms, various types of explosives, a number of AK-47s, machine guns and ammunition.  All were destroyed on-site to prevent their use by extremist forces.
Continuing their search, Coalition forces found and detained two individuals with suspected ties to foreign fighters, weapons smuggling and narcotics trafficking operations.