Afghan, Coalition Forces Clear Taliban from Faryab Province
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2011-01-S-280 For Immediate Release Download PDF    KABUL, Afghanistan (Jan. 25, 2011) – Afghan and coalition forces completed a deliberate clearing operation aimed at disrupting the Taliban’s freedom of movement in northern Afghanistan, killing several armed combatants near Jar-i-Syah village, Gormach district, Faryab province, yesterday.  Intelligence reports led the joint security force to the targeted compound where Taliban leaders conduct operational planning and facilitate their attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.  As the joint security force approached the compound, armed combatants shot at them with machine gun, rocket propelled grenades and small-arms fire. The security force returned fire and the armed combatants fled the immediate location.  The security force attempted to interdict the evading armed insurgents. As the security force approached the armed combatants, they once again fired at the security force. The security force returned fire, resulting in several armed insurgents being killed.  After the compound was secure, security forces discovered an Afghan man, a woman and two children were wounded during the engagement. The coalition medical technician provided on-scene medical attention to the four Afghan civilians. The Afghan male was medically evacuated to a coalition medical facility. One of the children died of their wounds at the scene and the woman and second child were treated and released at the scene.   “Afghan and coalition forces conduct clearing operations where Taliban insurgents are taking refuge and inflict their will against Afghan civilians. These missions are conducted to support the security and safety of the Afghan people as Afghan and coalition forces use extreme measures to safeguard and protect the populace during security operations,” said U.S. Army Col Rafael Torres, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. “Our thoughts and concerns are with the victims and their families and we hope for a speedy recovery of those injured.”  Security forces recovered a machine gun, multiple AK-47s, a chest rack and ammunition from where the armed combatants were killed. A key leader engagement was conducted with local officials to explain the purpose of the mission.