Afghan-Led Security Force Conducts Clearing Operation in Khost
ISAF Joint Command- Afghanistan
2011-07-S-042
For Immediate Release                      

KABUL, Afghanistan (July 14, 2011) – An Afghan-led combined security force killed six Haqqani network fighters including one armed adult female during a security operation in Khost district, Khost province, yesterday. 

The security force was attacked by several armed insurgents while attempting to clear a compound near a coalition base in the district. Multiple insurgents, armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols, fired at the security force. The force engaged the insurgents, killing three. 

As the combined force continued to search the compound, another insurgent attempted to engage the force with his AK-47 and was killed.  Almost immediately after, a female insurgent, armed with a pistol, fired on the security force. The force returned fire, killing her. 

The target of the operation was a Haqqani leader responsible for indirect fire attacks against the Afghan National Army and the transfer of weapons and explosives throughout the district. An additional insurgent was also killed during the engagement, for a total of six insurgents killed.  

One female civilian received non-life threatening injuries during the incident. The security force provided immediate medical care on the scene and transported her to a medical facility for routine follow-up care. 

The Haqqani female fighter is one of several females who have attacked Afghan and coalition forces within recent months. There have been multiple instances of armed females attacking security forces and insurgent groups using females as suicide bombers. 

In June, while conducting a security operation in Kunar province, an Afghan-led security force was attacked by a female suicide bomber. The female, dressed in traditional attire, used her burqa to hide the bomb attached to her body.  The female militant detonated the explosive as she moved near the security force, killing three Afghan interpreters.  

In late May, two Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan female fighters, armed with assault rifles and pistols, fired at a combined security force in Takhar province. The security force returned fire, killing the insurgents. 

Additionally, combined security forces have received several reports of insurgents planning to use female fighters in future attacks against Afghan government officials and combined security forces.  The militant networks that employ these tactics attempt to use the cultural sensitivity of women to hide fighters or gain access to security forces to conduct suicide attacks.  One of the planned attacks was to target the Dand district governor and Dand district center.