Joint Press Release

February 17, 2009

Release Number: 20091702-01

Afghan Commandos disrupt militant activities in Farah

KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan National Army Commandos with the 207th Commando Kandak, assisted by Coalition forces, killed five insurgents while searching the compound of a suspected weapons facilitator in the Qala Ga District, Farah Province, located in western Afghanistan approximately 80 km from the Iranian border.

The five insurgents were killed in three separate buildings within the compound after attacking the combined forces with small-arms fire as they conducted a search of the area.   

The Commandos discovered a large quantity of weapons, ammunition and other military equipment during the search, including, 45 AK-47s, two machine guns, two rocket-propelled grenade launchers, four rocket-propelled grenade rounds, 10,000 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, two grenades, one mortar sight, one set of commercial-grade night vision goggles and 12 sets of body-armor.  The search also yielded 150 pounds of opium.

The ANA protected 29 men, 35 women and 41 children during the operation.

After securing the compound, the Commandos held a key leader engagement with local elders. The leaders expressed their appreciation for the good work the Afghan forces are doing.   

No Commando, Coalition Force or civilian casualties were reported.

"The Commandos recovery of those weapons, ammunition and other military equipment before it was used to target innocent Afghan civilians are a testament to the efforts these elite Afghan soldiers are taking to secure and stabilize that region," said Major Gen. Mohammad Zahir Azimi, chief spokesman for the Afghan Ministry of Defense. "The ANA will continue to lead similar operations that will help increase the security of Afghanistan." 

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Contact information:

- Ministry of Defense, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Press office telephone:  93 (0) 20 210 2742

- US Forces Afghanistan Public Affairs, office telephone:  93 (0) 799 51 2919