Afghan and International Forces Deal Another Successful Blow to Taliban Network ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan  2010-07-CA-001  For Immediate Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (July 1) - Afghan and international security forces captured the Taliban district chief of Now Zad and killed a large number of insurgents during an operation in remote Baghran district in northern Helmand Province last night.   As the security force approached a compound outside the village of Kariz-e Adamkhan, numerous insurgents engaged the combined security force with rocket propelled grenades (RPG) and machine gun fire.   Throughout the four-hour fire fight, insurgent forces attempted to use improvised explosive devices (IEDs) against the security force. Precision air fire was used to suppress the attacks.   No civilians or Afghan and international servicemembers were killed or wounded.   After the combined force secured the area, they administered medical aid to several wounded insurgents including the Taliban district chief. The wounded were evacuated along with several captured insurgents.   Dozens of automatic weapons, RPG launchers and rounds, a machine gun, grenades, and ammunition were discovered along with 20 pounds of wet opium. The combined force destroyed the weapons and drugs at the scene.   Afghan and coalition security forces have made significant progress in southern Afghanistan by increasing operations in the region. The combined security force detained a key deputy facilitator for the Now Zad network Tuesday.   "This joint force operation dealt another significant blow to the Taliban network. These joint efforts are key to further establishing peace in the region," said Col. William Maxwell, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director.   "Afghan and international security forces will continue to dismantle terror organizations within the country and help bring stability to the people of Afghanistan," Maxwell added.