BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Coalition forces conducted an operation to disrupt militant activities in Khowst Province March 19 in which several militants, a woman, and boy were killed.  Two suspected militants were also detained.  
Coalition forces searched compounds in the Nadar Shahkot District targeting Bismullah – a militant conducting improvised explosive device and weapons facilitation operations.
Several armed militants were killed when they fired on Coalition forces during the search. 
“Several armed militants, two of whom were barricaded in a building, opened fire on Coalition forces after they entered the compound,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Coalition forces spokesman. “Coalition forces returned fire killing Bismullah, his brother Rahim Jan, as well as several other armed militants.”
Rahim Jan is also believed to be a militant conducting IED and weapons facilitation operations along with Bismullah, Belcher added. 
Coalition forces discovered a dead woman during a post-hostilities assessment in a building where one of the barricaded militant’s fired on Coalition forces from.  They discovered a dead child in another building where another barricaded militant was killed. 
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends and loved ones of the deceased woman and child,” Belcher said.  “Coalition forces take every possible precaution to ensure the safety of non-combatants during the conduct of operations.  It is regrettable that militants continue to place innocent lives at risk simply to further their own agendas.”  
Coalition forces found and detained two individuals with suspected ties to IED and weapons facilitation operations while continuing their search.