Afghan National Security Forces, Coalition Forces, and 24 Brave Villagers Secure Panerak
Headquarters, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force- Afghanistan
For Immediate Release
Release #033

BADGHIS, Afghanistan (June 10, 2011)– A joint operation involving Afghan National Security Forces and U.S. Special Operations Forces began in the Panerak village, Murghab district, June 7. 

Members of the 9th Commando Kandak, Afghan National Army, Afghan Local Police and U.S. forces began security operations this week to establish ALP checkpoints and assess the feasibility of future governance and development improvement efforts in Panerak village. During the operation, the CDOs and SOF were attacked while entering the village. 

A total of 23 insurgents were killed as a result of the engagement. 

The Panerak ALP entered another part of the village on motorcycle and came under immediate fire from insurgents. The ALP called family members to support and aid them. 24 family members assisted the ALP by acting as additional security for civilians who had been displaced by the insurgent attack. 

Two Afghan citizens came to the SOF team with gunshot wounds to the neck and back received from insurgents while praying in their home, said a SOF team member. The citizens were treated for their wounds and medically evacuated to Bala Morghab for further treatment and stabilization. 

During the operation, one U.S. Special Operations Forces Soldier and one Afghan National Army Soldier were killed; two Afghan Local Police, one Commando and one Afghan National Army Soldier were wounded.