ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan
2011-09-S-002

KABUL, Afghanistan (Sep. 3, 2011) 
A combined Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation that resulted in the death of several insurgents and one local female in Chahar Bolak district, Balkh province, yesterday. Several insurgents, armed with a machine gun and AK-47 assault rifles, were identified, engaged, and killed by the security force.
The force pursued additional suspected insurgents to a nearby compound. During a search of the building, the force observed what appeared to be a hostile individual. Assessing a threat, the force fired, resulting in the death of a fourth individual. It was later discovered the person was an unarmed female.
Shortly following the incident, ISAF representatives notified Afghan officials about the incident and requested they initiate an investigation. Members of the security force also conducted a meeting with area leaders.
The focus of the operation was to capture a known Taliban leader responsible for distributing weapons, facilitating suicide bombers, and conducting attacks against local security members and Afghan National Security Forces.
Additionally, multiple suspected insurgents were detained during the operation.