ISAF Confirms Civilians Killed During Operation that Removed Large Number of Taliban from Nangarhar
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-08-CA-045  For Immediate Release   KABUL, Afghanistan (August 5) - Following information received from provincial and local Nangarhar officials, it appears that between four and a dozen or more civilians were killed during a joint Coalition and Afghan Security Force operation in Nangarhar Province Wednesday night.  The joint force targeted a compound in Khwazakheyl Village in Sherzad District based on accurate intelligence that senior Taliban leadership was present. During movement to the compound, the joint security force was engaged from multiple locations by insurgents with small arms and rocket propelled grenades.  Local officials confirmed that in the ensuing fire fight, the ISAF-Afghan force killed 15-20 insurgents, including two senior Taliban leaders, Ghulam and Shamar. The joint force also seized 10 rocket-propelled grenades, numerous automatic weapons and grenades, a recoilless rifle, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.  As the security force left the area, they continued to take effective fire from insurgents. An air weapons team was used to safeguard their departure.  "Coalition forces deeply regret that our joint operation appears to have resulted in civilian loss of life and we express our sincerest condolences to the families," said Rear Admiral Greg Smith, ISAF Director of Communication. "We will partner with the Government of Afghanistan to conduct a thorough investigation of this incident, and to provide solatia to the families of the civilians killed during the engagement."  "Despite gradual progress in Nangarhar Province, elements of the insurgency have continued to wage a campaign to intimidate, coerce, tax, kidnap and murder innocent civilians," said Smith. "The Taliban leaders and fighters were among those carrying out such reprehensible activities. The Coalition remains steadfast in its support of the Government of Afghanistan in ridding the country of this corrosive insurgency, while making every effort to reduce to a minimum loss of innocent civilian life in the course of our operations."

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Insurgents Struck During Operation in Nangarhar; CIVCAS Allegations
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-08-CA-044  For Immediate Release   KABUL, Afghanistan (August 5) - Afghan and coalition security forces conducted operations in multiple locations in Nangarhar province Wednesday.   The security force targeted a compound in Khwazakheyl village in Sherzad district to search for a Taliban commander. They approached the compound and immediately took small arms fire from three locations around the targeted area. The security force returned fire, killing several insurgents.   During the fire fight, a vehicle attempted to approach the compound. In order to avoid civilian casualties, the assault force employed "hi-beam," a visible light illuminated from an aircraft overhead, to alert the vehicle of their presence. The vehicle stopped short of the compound.   After the fighting ceased, the assault force searched the area and found 10 rocket-propelled grenades, multiple automatic weapons, grenades and a recoilless rifle at the scene. The weapons were destroyed at the scene.   As the security force departed the area they continued to be engaged from several different directions. An air weapons team provided cover fire and no Afghan or coalition forces were hurt in the operation. ISAF is aware of civilian casualty allegations as a result of these operations and is conducting an investigation.   "We take allegations of civilian casualties seriously," said Col. Rafeal Torres, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. "We're investigating to find out what happened."