Afghan Commandos Clear Village, Kill Large Group of Insurgents in Nuristan
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-07-CA-176  For Immediate Release  KABUL, Afghanistan (July 25) - Afghan National Army Commandos, assisted by U.S. Special Operations Forces, killed a large group of insurgent fighters while pursuing a known Taliban network in Nuristan province Friday. Afghan soldiers assigned to the 3rd Company, 1st Commando Kandak along with U.S. Special Operations Forces conducted clearing operations near the village of Awlagul in Barg-e Matal district to disrupt the Taliban activity, according to coalition officials.  As the partnered force entered the area, coalition officials said their forces were met with heavy resistance from insurgents using small arms and automatic weapons.  "This was an isolated area being used as a safe haven by insurgents to conduct attacks on the Afghan citizens in and around the district center of Barg-e Matal," said Col. Donald C. Bolduc, the Commander of the Joint Special Operations Task Force in Afghanistan. "The Commandos, with support from the Coalition forces, conducted the mission by request of the Ministries of Interior and Defence to support continued Afghanistan National Police and Afghanistan National Army security operations."  During the search of the surrounding area, the Afghan-led force found 35 rocket propelled grenades, six propellant charges, 1000 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition, 500 rounds of 7.62 caliber ammunition, numerous mortar rounds, and several hundred pounds of explosives along with a spool of fuse and blasting caps. The cache was destroyed on site. No non-combatants were harmed during the operation and no property damage was reported, ANA commando officials said. Statements from Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officials confirmed the Awlagul village had become a hub for insurgent activity throughout the Nuristan province after local Taliban were pushed out of Barg-e Matal village by Commando and Coalition forces last May.  "We are not going to let insurgents flee one village only to inhabit another," said Lt. Col. Donald Franklin, the Special Operations Task Force - East commander. "U.S. Special Forces will aid the Afghan government and Afghan forces in pursuing insurgents wherever they choose to run. Now, the people in Awlagul can return to their homes without the fear of insurgent violence."