Afghan, Coalition Operation Results in One Local National Killed
Afghan, Coalition Operation Results in One Local National Killed
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2011-5-S-046 For Immediate Release   KABUL, Afghanistan (May 14, 2011) – During a combined Afghan and coalition security force operation a local national male was killed in Hisarak district, Nangarhar province yesterday.  While searching for a Taliban leader, the combined security force attempted to clear a room in one of the targeted buildings. The force approached the room and asked for the individual inside to exit peacefully, allowing them to continue their search. When the individual heard the call-out, he reached for one of his two weapons present at the side of his bed. He had both a shotgun and pistol by his side. As a force protection measure, a security force member engaged the individual, resulting in his death. After initial assessment, it was discovered the individual was a local 15-year old male.  The force was in the area conducting an operation in search of a Taliban leader who facilitates weapons and IEDs throughout the district. The leader is involved in planning and conducting IED and suicide bomb attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in both Sherzad and Hisarak districts.  “We are deeply sorry for this tragedy and apologize to the members of the Afghan government, the people of Afghanistan and most importantly, the surviving family members,” said Rear Admiral Hal Pittman, ISAF Deputy Chief of Staff for Communication. “In our efforts to secure the population we go to great lengths in our operations to reduce civilian casualties to an absolute minimum. We are working with our Afghan security force counterparts to understand what happened and take steps to prevent this from happening in the future.”  The security force is arranging for future meetings with district officials and local leaders to further discuss the circumstances surrounding the incident.