Mar. 18: Afghan-ISAF Operations in Kandahar, Helmand, Kunar

NEWS RELEASE ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-03-CA-078  For Immediate Release

 In Kunar last night, an Afghan-international security force went to a compound near the village of Wotalah, in the Chapa Dara district, after local Afghan citizens requested help in removing the local Taliban threat. Intelligence information confirmed militant activity and the location of a Taliban commander responsible for planning complex attacks against Afghan and coalition troops.
 As the joint force surrounded the target compound, several armed militants threatened the combined element forcing them to engage the insurgents. The armed militants, one of them the targeted Taliban commander, were all killed. They called for the remaining Taliban to lay down their weapons; however the insurgents continued to engage the security force.
 The joint force, led by Afghan National Security Forces, had attempted to peacefully request the militants to come out of the residence without incident when they engaged them. As the hostile fire continued, the decision was made for the combined Afghan-coalition force to withdraw to minimize the chance of civilian casualties. The Taliban in the area have a reputation of using innocent civilians as human shields.
 As the joint force left, close air support was called in to safeguard their departure. The security force returned to base.
 No Afghan civilians were harmed during these operations.